Graduation of Senior Course 144: The Leaders of the Future

After five and a half months, time has come to say goodbye to one more extraordinary class of Course Members. The Graduation Ceremony marked the conclusion of a 22-week academic programme, attended by 79 Course Members from 34 different nations.

The Senior Course is the flagship course of the NDC. Comprised of senior military officers and civilian officials from NATO Allied and partner countries, this course aims to prepare the future leaders of the Alliance. Throughout the Course, participants gained a deeper knowledge of the contemporary security landscape and of key NATO-related topics.

The curriculum consisted of expert-led lectures, daily Committee work, negotiation exercises, and three Field Studies to NATO and partner countries, including the first Field Study trip to the Indo-Pacific region. Moreover, the academic programme focused on fostering strategic thinking and consensus-building skills, which are fundamental to the Alliance’s decision-making process.

As the world faces “one of the most challenging security environments NATO has seen in decades, the importance of this Course is remarkably clear”, underscored the Commandant of the NATO Defense College, Lieutenant General Max A.L.T Nielsen. “Over the past seven and a half decades, NATO has been a cornerstone of international peace and security, adapting to new challenges and threats while steadfastly maintaining its core values of collective defence and cooperation. Our Course Members, through their dedication and hard work, are now part of this proud tradition, ready to contribute to the continued success and relevance of NATO”, the Commandant added during his Graduation Ceremony remarks.

Admiral Joachim Rühle, Chief of Staff at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), delivered the Graduation Address. He reflected on the unity and efforts of the Alliance in the face of the challenging global security situation, highlighting that “all 32 Allies are united in their collective defence, connected by a common military deterrence and defence concept”.

The Course President and Vice-President of Senior Course 144, Captain Justin Orlich and Ms Janet Blatny, then delivered their speech reflecting on the journey of this Senior Course. “This truly is a unique course and represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a strategic pause in our careers to broaden our appreciation for what Allies and partners can bring to the fight. More aircraft carriers and tanks are rarely the correct answer, rather it’s the people such as those seated next to you that illustrate the best NATO has to offer”, highlighted the President.

During the ceremony, the Eisenhower Prize was awarded to Committee 5, recognizing their Committee Study Project, a research project that reflects months of group discussions and dedicated teamwork within Committees. Subsequently, the NDC Commandant, the NDC Dean, Dr Christopher M. Schnaubelt, and Admiral Rühle presented the diplomas to all the graduates, marking the formal conclusion of Senior Course 144.

NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Sofia Carvalheiro, PRT C)