On 27 November 2024, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) proudly hosted the joint graduation ceremony for the Senior Leaders’ Course (SLC) and the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders’ Course (CSELC) at the historic Latvian War Museum (Latvijas Kara muzejs) in Riga, Latvia. This prestigious event marked the culmination of two critical programs designed to prepare senior military and civilian leaders for the challenges of modern security environments.

The Senior Leaders’ Course (SLC), held from 20 to 27 November 2024, focused on “Strengthening Security and Defence of the Baltic Sea Region.” Now in its ninth iteration, the course welcomed 36 participants from 18 NATO nations and Allied Headquarters, creating a vibrant, multinational environment fostering collaboration and shared strategies for regional defence.

Participants engaged in an intensive curriculum that addressed the evolving security landscape explored deterrence strategies and strengthened their understanding of collective defence in the Baltic Sea Region.

Highlights of SLC 2024:

• Expert Contributions:
  The course featured 34 distinguished speakers—including senior military officials, academics, and think tank analysts—who provided participants with diverse and insightful perspectives.

• Strategic Discussions:
  Topics ranged from assessing regional security challenges to Allied approaches for strengthening defence. High-profile panels included contributions from Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Gen. Chris Badia and Latvian National Armed Forces Commander LTG Leonīds Kalniņš.

• Interactive Learning:
  Participants explored lessons from the war in Ukraine through a special "night owl" session, connecting these insights to Baltic Sea deterrence and defence strategies.

• Cultural Context:
  Visits to the Museum of the Occupation of Latvia and the Latvian War Museum added historical depth to participants’ understanding of Latvia’s defence foundations.

The course also cultivated lasting professional networks among senior NATO officers and civilian leaders. The next SLC will occur in November 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania, focusing on evolving regional security dynamics.

Running concurrently, the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders’ Course (CSELC) offered an advanced, 13-week program to prepare senior enlisted leaders to support and advise strategic-level decision-making. This year’s program welcomed 24 participants from 17 nations, reflecting the growing importance of multinational cooperation in defence leadership.

A highlight of the CSELC was the Baltic Defence Study Trip, which concluded after an intensive four-day program in Latvia. During the trip, participants visited key military locations, including:

• The Latvian Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) School

• NATO Enhanced Forward Presence

• Multinational Division North

• The Latvian Mechanized Infantry Brigade

High-level briefings from Latvian and NATO leaders enriched the learning experience, with notable contributions from:

• Latvian Chief of Defence (ChoD) Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš

• Command Sergeant Major Edgars Joksts-Bogdanovs

• Leadership from various Latvian and NATO commands and structures.

The course’s curriculum was divided into four key modules:

1. Strategic Leadership

2. National Security

3. International Security

4. Specialized Topics for Enlisted Leadership

CSELC graduates from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania served as Module Coordinators, furthering regional collaboration. Denmark’s debut as a Senior Mentor brought additional strategic insights to the program.

The graduation ceremony brought together participants from both programs, SLC and CSELC, to display unity and shared purpose. Diplomas were presented by:

• Latvian Chief of Defence (ChoD), Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš

• The BALTDEFCOL Commandant, Brigadier General Alvydas Šiuparis

• Course Directors of SLC,  Col (Ret) Dr Eugeniusz Cieślak and CSELC,  CSM Alvydas Tamošiūnas.

This event underscored the BALTDEFCOL’s mission to equip leaders with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to address contemporary security challenges and enhance stability across the Baltic Sea Region and beyond.

Congratulations to the SLC and CSELC Class of 2024! We look forward to witnessing your continued contributions to regional and international security.