On 10 April 2025, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) was honoured to welcome a delegation of Cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point. The visit marked a meaningful exchange between two leading professional military education institutions and reaffirmed the strong ties between the United States and the Baltic states.

The visit commenced with an Office Call with the Commandant of the BALTDEFCOL, Brigadier General Alvydas Šiuparis. During the meeting, Brigadier General Šiuparis warmly welcomed the visiting Westpoint Cadets, CDT Stahlberg and CDT Edwards, and emphasized the importance of fostering mutual understanding and academic cooperation across allied military institutions. The conversation covered various topics, including the Baltic region's evolving security environment and education's role in cultivating future strategic leaders.

A central highlight of the programme was the briefing the West Point Cadets delivered to members of the BALTDEFCOL staff and faculty. The Cadets provided an overview of their academic experience, leadership development training, and key aspects of their curriculum. This session encouraged a lively exchange of ideas and offered an opportunity for reflection on best practices in officer education across NATO.

The engagement continued with an in-brief by the Senior United States Representative at BALTDEFCOL, LTC Joshua Parker, who outlined the strategic objectives of U.S. military education cooperation in the region. The briefing emphasized the United States’ ongoing support for Baltic security and highlighted the importance of continuous academic collaboration in building interoperability and cohesion among allies.

As part of the visit, the delegation was given a guided tour of the BALTDEFCOL museum, which provided valuable insights into the historical evolution of military leadership in the Baltic region. The museum tour deepened the Cadets’ understanding of the College’s legacy, multinational nature, and central role in advancing regional defence education.

The visit concluded with a comprehensive briefing on the Economic Domain delivered by Dr Ieva Gajauskaitė, Associate Professor at the Lithuanian Military Academy. Dr Gajauskaitė examined the intersection of economics and security, providing an expert overview of current economic dynamics shaping the regional and global security landscape. The presentation stimulated thoughtful dialogue and underscored the importance of holistic approaches in strategic defence education.

The BALTDEFCOL greatly values the continued cooperation with the United States Military Academy and other partner institutions. Visits such as this enhance professional relationships, foster intellectual exchange, and prepare future military leaders for the complex challenges of the 21st century.

We thank CDT Stahlberg and CDT Edwards for their visit and contributions, and we look forward to further opportunities for engagement and collaboration.