Hungarian “Honours for the Alliance” Military Award to NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Rittimann
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On 12 June 2023, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann, Commandant of the NATO Defense College, was awarded the high-level Hungarian “Honours for the Alliance” military decoration.
Major General László Sticz, Commander of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ Modernization and Transformation Command – on behalf of the Hungarian Minister of Defence, Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky – presented the “Honours for the Alliance” decoration to the NDC Commandant. Major General Sticz was at the College to attend the NDC Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors’ Course (GFOAC 2023-1) held from 12 to 16 June.
The “Honours for the Alliance” is one of the honours that can be awarded by the Hungarian Minister of Defence to non-Hungarian military personnel. It is a high-level Hungarian military decoration in recognition of one’s devoted service in carrying out activities in the Alliance over a long period of time and in contributing to the transformation of the Hungarian Armed Forces. The “Honours for the Alliance” can only be awarded to up to 20 individuals per year.
The Chief of the Hungarian Defence Forces’ General Staff, Lieutenant General Gábor Böröndi – former NDC graduate, Senior Course 112 – recommended Lieutenant General Rittimann for this award based on his long-time service at NATO, highlighting his eminent role in commanding the NDC during the period of the COVID pandemic, and in ensuring that Hungarian officers attending various NDC courses were offered the highest level of NATO education.
Major General Sticz – also a graduate of the College, Senior Course 127 – expressed his appreciation to Lieutenant General Rittimann for his outstanding service to the Alliance and for his role as Commandant of the NDC.