Graduation of the Joint Command and General Staff Course 2011-12 and Civil Servants Course 2012

On the 15th of June 2012 the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) graduated the students of the Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC) 2011/2012 and the Civil Servants Course 2012. The civil servants were integrated to the JCGSC more than ever before to gain a better understanding of operational planning and also for the officers to benefit of having civilians in the course. This endeavour proved to be a success and will be implemented for the next courses as well.

The JCGSC was attended by 46 students from 14 countries and 9 students from 6 countries acquired knowledge at the CSC 2012.

Graduation speeches were delivered by the Commandant of the BALTDEFCOL, BrigGen Meelis Kiili, and by the Baltic States representatives present at the ceremony – the Minister of Defence of Estonia, H.E. Mr Urmas Reinsalu; the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia, Ms Ilona Drege; and the Chief of the Training and Doctrine Command of Lithuania, Col Gintaras Ažubalis. In addition, many other countries had sent their representatives to congratulate their graduates for the special occasion.

After the speeches, the students of the JCGSC and the CSC received their Diplomas and Graduation Badges, and the Class Leader of the JCGSC, LTC Darius Vaicikauskas (LIT A), presented a humorous and catchy speech on behalf of the students.

The official program continued with an awarding ceremony of the BALTDEFCOL Directing Staff members finishing their service at the College.

The BALTDEFCOL Medal of Merit Silver was awarded for their outstanding contribution to development of the education and research process of the Baltic Defence College to Col Zdzislaw Sliwa and LtCol Uĝis Romanovs.

The BALTDEFCOL Medal of Merit Bronze was awarded for significant contribution to development of the education and research process of the Baltic Defence College to LtCol Arunas Dzidzevicius.

The BALTDEFCOL Service Cross was awarded for valuable service and remarkable support as a member of the college staff to Col Zdzislaw Sliwa, Cdr SG Sten Sepper, LtCol Georgs Kerlinš, LtCol Arunas Dzidzevicius and LtCol Finn Jensen.

The program of the Graduation Ceremony was followed by a reception at the Tartu University History Museum where the graduates had the possibility to say farewell to their classmates and instructors.