SACEUR, SACT, CSELs re-affirm commitment to NATO NCO corps

SACEUR and SACT along with their Command Senior Enlisted Leaders signed the NATO Non-Commissioned Officer Bi-Strategic Command Strategy and NCO Guidelines in Tirana,  Albania on Friday,  Sept. 15,  2017. -Photo courtesy of the Albanian Ministry of Defence

TIRANA, Albania – General Curtis M. Scaparrotti and General Denis Mercier, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, together with their Command Senior Enlisted Leaders, Command Sergeant Major Davor Petek and Chief Command Master Sergeant Jack Johnson, Jr., signed the NATO Non-Commissioned Officer Bi-Strategic Command Strategy and NCO Guidelines during a ceremony, Sept. 15, 2017.

The document affects both strategic commands and outlines NATO’s growing expectations of its multi-national NCO Corps while focusing on a more methodical means of creating the best prepared and professional NCO. It also provides guidelines on how to effectively measure NCO growth and increase interoperability across the corps.

"A professional NCO Corps is the backbone of any military organisation and NATO is no exception," said General Scaparrotti. "As NATO adapts to the demands of a changing strategic landscape and dynamic security environment, our NCOs will play a lead role in our warfighting readiness. They are on the front lines, maintaining the standards and ensuring the professional development of our forces."

The document identifies three key areas to affect in order to maximize the effectiveness, efficiency, interoperability and readiness of the NATO NCO Corps: human capital, professional development and partnerships.

Finally, the strategy outlines key expectations for enlisted personnel and NCOs at all ranks. This provides every NCO and aspiring NCO an idea of what will be demanded of them at the next level.

"Our goal is to encourage a professional, competent, resilient and capably responsible NCO Corps that is adaptive to face new challenges, social dynamics and technological advances,” said Command Sergeant Major Petek. "Our NCOs and enlisted personnel will be more empowered than ever to fulfil their tactical, operational and strategic missions.”

Story by SHAPE Public Affairs Office