Opening Ceremony of the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders’ Course

After the successful Command Senior Enlisted Leaders’ Course (CSELC) pilot project during the previous academic year, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) conducts it’s second CSELC this Autumn, starting from today, which will be completed at the beginning of December.

Fifteen course participants from 11 nations, coming from the Baltic Sea region and cross-Atlantic partners from Canada and the USA have gathered in Tartu. Some of them will participate in education through Ms Teams, and they will join the others after their mandatory self-isolation.

During the welcome speech Brigadier General Ilmar Tamm, the Commandant of the BALTDEFCOL stressed the importance of being selected to the Course. “Contribute to civilized debates, build the connections and personal network, respect our multinational atmosphere -it is all up to you, your contribution does matter”, he said and wished course participants meaningful time in Tartu and the College.

During the opening ceremony, SGM Peeter Einbaum, the Course Director of the CSELC, started his speech stating “in conditions of the current COVID-19 situation, the fact of being able to deliver the course physically in Tartu is a small miracle”. He continued “despite the travel restrictions and other national limitations the nations are still valuing the BALTDEFCOL CSELC to be worthwhile in sending their personnel to the Course. It is a great honour and at the same time a huge responsibility for the College. To meet such high expectations, throughout the Course, the attendees will meet over 50 distinguished speakers representing different aspects of the strategic environment. With this, the course participants will receive a comprehensive overview of the complex strategic/political environment, which will facilitate their effective service on top-level positions”.

The current edition of the CSELC marks the continuation of the successful project as the Pilot CSELC, which was conducted in Autumn 2019, received very positive feedback from the participating nations. The evidence of the increasing interest to the Course is the fact that the number of participating Senior NCOs and sending nations has significantly raised comparing to the Pilot Course. The Course aims to prepare Command Senior Enlisted Leaders to effectively advise, support and enhance strategic level Leadership’s decision making to meet anticipated political and security challenges within a dynamic and complex environment of the Baltic Sea region and beyond. The target audience for the Course is the current and future top Non-Commissioned Officers, who are supporting General and Flag Officers on the Strategic/Political level.