On 19th July 2013, the NATO Defense College (NDC) hosted the Graduation Ceremony that concluded Senior Course (SC) 122.
Honouring the occasion was General Jean-Paul Paloméros, (FRA F) Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), together with a number of Ambassadors, Military Attachés, and military and civilian authorities.
The event was attended by the 77 Course Members from 30 different countries, together with their families and the College’s senior leadership, Faculty and Staff.
Nations represented on SC 122 include seventeen NATO Member States, seven countries from the Partnership for Peace, three from the Mediterranean Dialogue, one from the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, as well as two Global Partners.
Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug, (NOR A) NDC Commandant, welcomed the distinguished guests in his introductory speech, praising all Course Members for the excellent results achieved. His remarks were complemented by a short video, produced by the NDC Public Affairs Office, outlining some of the key moments experienced by Course Members during their months at the College.
The introductory speech by the NDC Commandant was followed by the Graduation address, in which Gen Jean-Paul Paloméros, highlighted the significance of the Course Members’ achievement in completing so intensive and demanding a syllabus.
Following the speeches, the central part of the graduation ceremony was conducted, whereby Course Members were called up individually to stand by their national flag and receive their diploma.
It has been a successful five months for the Course Members of SC122. Throughout, they have had the opportunity to engage in discussions on international affairs and related security challenges, as well as to explore a variety of perspectives and experiences.
Course Members have been busy in and outside the classrooms. In the five months of attendance at the NDC, they have benefitted from a considerable number of presentations on a variety of emerging challenges to the international community in general, and to the Alliance in particular. Amongst the highlights were: the Lecture of Opportunity given by Lt Gen Bornemann, Director General of the IMS; the “Eisenhower Lecture” delivered by Gen Sir Rupert Smith (ret.); and the lecture on “NATO Transformation” presented by Lt Gen Frederick B. Hodges, Commander for NATO’s Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey.
To add hands-on experience to these theoretical perspectives, Course Members travelled to Paris, Doha, Abu Dhabi, London, Berlin, New York, Washington D.C., Brussels, Warsaw, Moscow, Riga, Sofia and Bucharest. The Field Study trips are a unique means of engaging in fruitful and challenging discussions with key policy-makers in their own countries, and represent some of the best moments enjoyed by SC 122.
SC 122 is by no means over, and must be seen as a means rather than an end: the Senior Course is a critical enabler that achieves a near-perfect mix and balance of education and friendship, affording Course Members a priceless opportunity to grow together and to establish professional and personal bonds that will last a lifetime.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Kiersten Saltwick, USA C)
NATO Defense College 
