Command Sergeant Major Davor Petek, Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Allied Command Operation, speaks during the 6th Annual Noncommissioned Officer Appreciation Dinner at the Shape Club on Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Belgium, November 28, 2018. (NATO photo by Staff Sgt. Jimmie Pike, USA AF)
SHAPE, Belgium – The 6th Annual SHAPE Junior Ranks and
Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) dinner, focusing on celebrating the work
done throughout the year and recognizing the dedication of the NATO NCO
corps, was held at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers
Europe (SHAPE) on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018 at the headquarters.
General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Supreme Allied Commander Europe
(SACEUR), and Command Sergeant Major Davor Petek, Allied Command
Operations Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL), attended the event,
sharing their thanks to the audience of NCOs and giving
their advice for the enhancement of NCOs within NATO.
"During the past few years, Command Sergeant Major Petek has
enhanced the profession of arms within Allied Command Operations by
creating education and training opportunities for our junior ranks and
NCOs," said General Scaparrotti. "These initiatives
call for a significant investment in human capital through education,
professional development and reading to develop the best-prepared NCO to
be in the right place, at the right time."
In Sept. 2017, SACEUR and Supreme Allied Commander Transformation,
alongside their command senior enlisted leaders, signed the NATO
Non-commissioned Officer (NCO) Bi-Strategic Command Strategy and NCO
Guidelines. The document refines NATO's vision for
the future of NCOs, focusing on advancing skills, knowledge and
abilities of NCOs within NATO. The remainder of 2017 and the entirety of
2018 reflected this document through NCO development courses, training
and opportunities.
General Scaparrotti stated that NCOs make up the majority of the
Alliance, and nothing is as important as their collective deterrence and
defence. In addressing the NCOs Scaparrotti said, "You have
the tremendous responsibility of accomplishing
the mission."
Command Sergeant Major Petek also expressed his gratitude. "Thank
you for all you do. Your unwavering commitment is noticed...by me, by
SACEUR and by all those who interact with NATO NCOs," Petek concluded.