During the visit, CSM Saliste and CSM Stark served as guest speakers representing ACO and NATO’s non-commissioned corps at the second iteration of the Baltic Defence College’s CSEL course. In 2019, during the inaugural CSEL Course, CSM Saliste was joined by Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Tod D. Wolters as keynote speakers.
Sharing our experiences and knowledge only serves to benefit all of us, including our commanders and especially our NCO’s. These networks and support systems gained from experiences such as the CSEL course are invaluable
“This course is designed to prepare CSEL’s throughout the Alliance and in their respective national units to advise, support and enhance our commanders in their decision making as well as using the knowledge gained to best serve, promote and empower our NCO corps,” said CSM Saliste.
Allied Command Operations Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste speaks at the CSEL Course held at the Baltic Defence College on October 1, 2020.
The Baltic Defence College CSEL course is a hybrid three-month long course with a maximum capacity of 20 students and is primarily focused on the complex Baltic Sea regional environment. The course is delivered both online and in person covering a topics ranging from Baltic and global security concerns, academic writing, critical thinking, military history and critically offers a platform for networking between senior leaders.
“Despite this ‘new normal’ we are living in, a key component of this and many other leadership courses is getting to know your peers and building interpersonal relationships,” said CSM Stark. “Sharing our experiences and knowledge only serves to benefit all of us, including our commanders and especially our NCO’s. These networks and support systems gained from experiences such as the CSEL course are invaluable.”
Joint Force Command Naples Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) Command Sergeant Major Jürgen Stark speaks at the CSEL Course held at the Baltic Defence College on October 1, 2020.
The Baltic Defence College was founded in 1998, welcoming their first students in 1999, to support ongoing challenges and opportunities facing the militaries of the three Baltic States: Latvia, Lithuania and host nation Estonia. As the Baltic States each earned NATO membership in 2004, the approach of the Baltic Defence College and their course offerings began to reflect a more global approach with an emphasis on joint training.