Opening of Higher Command Studies Course 2016

On 11th January the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) started the twelfth Higher Command Studies Course (HCSC 2016) in the Baltic Way Room. This year the course is represented by 18 students from 11 countries Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Poland, Spain and Sweden.

The Commandant of the college, Major General Vitalijus Vaikšnoras, welcomed the students with his speech and stressed the uniqueness of BALTDEFCOL with its high quality courses, distinguished and experienced faculty, and its multi-national environment. MG Vitalijus Vaikšnoras quoted the well-known expression of Albert Einstein: 'Education is not received it is achieved', so emphasising the importance of an independent, pro-active approach to studies where both BALTDEFCOL, and all the students together, will effectively contribute to the educational process.

The HCSC is a 5 month long course that aims to educate military officers and government officials from the Baltic States, their allies and partners, for executive responsibilities at the strategic level. The Higher Command Studies Course is not an attempt to make preparations for the next duty assignments; it develops students to the level when they are capable of doing well in a multitude of future duties. The student will improve their reasoning, logic, and analysis, and by the end of the course will be able to make sound, decisive and future-oriented strategic decisions.

The topics of the HCSC are delivered by the college faculty and large body of external guest lecturers and visiting senior mentors. This year, the expanded Department of Political and Strategic Studies will significantly increase its contribution to the delivery of the HCSC 2016.