The capstone exercise of Senior Course 137 took place last week at the NATO Defense College. Five days during which Course Members had the opportunity to put into practice everything they know about NATO, in a different scenario, and practice negotiating, mediation and decision-making techniques.
On Monday 30 November Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann, Commandant of the NATO Defense College, gave his opening remarks in which he highlighted the relevance of the exercise, “this is the peak of the Senior Course”, as well as the important role played by the experienced mentors who advise CMs during the exercise.
Over the five days, Course Members broke into four working groups to work on a realistic scenario, practicing negotiation, mediation and decision-making techniques and playing the roles of different NATO bodies: The Political Committee, the Military Committee and the North Atlantic Council. A STRATCOM element and an integrated Media training opportunity, as well as a complete revision of the scenario, making it more comprehensive and up to date, were the principal innovations of this session.
Most of the Senior Mentors who gave advice and feedback to the working groups were connected online to provide their guidance. The Senior Mentors were LGEN (ret) Jo Godderij, former Director-General International Military Staff (IMS); LGEN (ret) Antonio Li Gobbi, former Director Operations at IMS; Mr Ted Whiteside, former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy; LGEN (ret) Jan Broeks, former Director-General IMS; LGEN (ret) Michel Yakovleff, former VCOS SHAPE and Maj Gen (Ret.) Timothy Bevis former Director of Operations and Planning Division of NATO’s International Military Staff (IMS).
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Laura Garcia Pesquera, ESP C)
NATO Defense College