STARTEX of JOINT RESOLVE 2021

 

 

This morning, on 17th May, the exercise Joint Resolve 2021 has started.

Joint Resolve is a Combined Joint Staff Exercise, which is the Centre of Gravity of the Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC) curriculum. It aims to formulate solutions to complex NATO Article 5 operational problems by developing an executable viable joint operational plan using standard NATO processes within an international staff.

The exercise was initially conducted between the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) and War Studies University (WSU) in Poland in 2019. In light of COVID-19, the exercise was cancelled in 2020. This year, again due to the COVID pandemic, BALTDFECOL conducts the exercise without colleagues from WSU. Nevertheless, although the worldwide situation is unstable, approximately 115 participants from 16 NATO and partner countries, including Subject Matter Experts, observers, trainers and Senior Mentors will participate in the exercise. To avoid the spread of COVID-19, students are divided into two joint operational planning groups in different locations. All the exercise participants will be tested twice during the exercise and extra measures are in place.

During the welcome speech, BALTDEFCOL Commandant Brigadier General Ilmar Tamm (EST A) welcomed the students, who have been in distance learning mode since January. He recognized the Joint Resolve exercise as an example or great symbol of teamwork and jointness. The Commandant also encouraged students to be active, to learn to work together, to use excellent Senior Mentors, and do not be afraid to ask questions. “It is student-led exercise; we do not expect you to be perfect planners, in this exercise it is all about showing initiative”, he said. As the exercise is the last milestone in JCGSC before Graduation, the BG Tamm motivated the students to push themselves, and jointly straining to go through this strongest effort of the course. "Plans are nothing, planning is everything", he concluded.

Colonel Andriejus Grachauskas (LTU A), Director of JGCSC, welcomed the students and highlighted that the exercise serves as a venue to assess and provide an opportunity for course participants to apply operational estimate methods, particularly Centre of Gravity analysis, Operational Design and the development and comparison of developed Courses of Action. “ The aim is to achieve understanding and skills that will enhance your effectiveness to contribute in planning and conduct of operations” he added.

Colonel Dzintars Roga (LVA A), Director of the Department of Military Studies, stressed the importance of the exercise and emphasized the team spirit. Understand, help, support were the keywords he addressed to the students.

Joint Resolve 2021 takes place between the 17th and 28th of May in Tartu.