The NATO Defense College (NDC) proudly celebrated its Diamond Anniversary on Thursday, 16 July 2026, marking 75 years since the inauguration of Senior Course 1 and 60 years since its relocation from Paris to Rome. This milestone honours the enduring vision of the first Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who recognized that the strength of the Alliance relies not only on military power, but on informed leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep mutual understanding among Allies and partners.
Since its establishment, the College has prepared generations of senior civilian and military leaders to look beyond national perspectives and consider the political, military and human dimensions of collective defence. For more than seven decades, the NDC has remained at the forefront of strategic-level education and research, fostering the multinational perspective and strategic understanding required to address the challenges facing the Alliance.
The commemorations began with the arrival of the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, and NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen, who were welcomed with military honours provided by the Italian Armed Forces. Following the raising of the flags, the official 75th Anniversary Plaque was unveiled in recognition of this milestone in the College’s history.
Representatives from across the Alliance and partner nations gathered to mark the historic occasion. Among those in attendance were General Aurelio Colagrande, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Markus Laubenthal, Chief of Staff at SHAPE, Ambassadors based in Rome, senior political, diplomatic and military officials from the host nation and the wider transatlantic community, together with the members of Senior Course 148 and invited international journalists.
The anniversary event featured both in-person and virtual contributions from senior leaders across the Alliance. Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen, marking his final week as Commandant of the NATO Defense College, opened the ceremony with remarks reflecting on the College’s legacy and its future direction. The ceremony continued with on-site keynote speeches delivered by Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and Dr Luisa Riccardi, Deputy Director of the Italian National Armaments Directorate. In his address, Admiral Cavo Dragone reflected on the foundations upon which the College was built, and on the role it continues to fulfil within NATO:
“For six decades, this city has given the Alliance its intellectual home, and the Alliance has given Rome a window on the world. It has turned talented officers, diplomats and civilians into strategic leaders. And above all, it has built something no technology can replace: trust across thirty-two flags. NATO has always adapted. Adaptation is in our DNA – and this College embodies it.”
Adding their remarks to the anniversary celebrations, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus G. Grynkewich, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Admiral Pierre Vandier, and Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto shared video messages reflecting on the College’s legacy and its continued importance to the Alliance. Secretary General Rutte highlighted how the NDC’s work in developing future leaders helps ensure that NATO remains prepared for future challenges, echoing the priorities set out at the recent NATO Summit in Ankara:
“The College is the place to train military and civilian officials to become future NATO leaders. A research hub to better understand the complex challenges of today’s world and to support Allied decision-making. A venue to foster lasting bonds between Allies and partners, amongst people that share and promote NATO’s values and interests. In a more dangerous world, we need this now more than ever.”
Beyond the College’s contribution to NATO, Secretary General Rutte also recognized Italy’s long-standing commitment as an Ally, and its continued role in strengthening the Alliance:
“Italy is a highly valued Ally. You are a founding member of this Alliance. And since the beginning you have been crucial to our shared security. This remains true today. With your increased investments in defence, your active and innovative defence industry, your highly capable military staff and your valuable contributions to all that NATO does.”
Held under the anniversary theme, “Today’s Alliance – Tomorrow’s Leaders”, the programme paired ceremonial traditions with academic dialogue. Following the military ceremony, Dr Richard Hooker and Dr Florence Gaub took the stage for a Fireside Chat on “What Would Eisenhower Say?”. Together, they brought General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s founding vision for strategic leadership and education directly into the contemporary context, reinforcing its enduring relevance for today’s Alliance.
To see how this legacy meets the world’s current reality, the Leaders’ Conversation, “Ankara Summit – What Now?”, unpacked the outcomes of the recent NATO Summit and their implications for the Alliance. Turkish Ambassador Tacan Ildem and General Markus Laubenthal, Chief of Staff at SHAPE, mapped out the challenges and opportunities on the horizon in a discussion steered by Mr Gordon Repinski (Politico).
The anniversary celebrations also highlighted the College’s long-standing ties with Italy through a unique collaboration with Poste Italiane. The NDC designed commemorative anniversary postcards, complemented by a dedicated postage stamp issued by Poste Italiane to mark the historic milestone – with the very first stamp ceremonially franked by the Chairman of the Military Committee and the NDC Commandant.
Seventy-five years after its establishment and six decades after relocating to Rome, the NATO Defense College remains true to the vision on which it was founded. By bringing together senior civilian and military leaders from across the Alliance and its partners, the College continues to strengthen the unity, cohesion and trust that underpin NATO’s collective defence, while preparing leaders to address the challenges facing the Alliance today and in the years ahead.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Britt Melinga, NLD C)
NATO Defense College