General Curtis M. Scaparrotti was honoured by the Atlantic Council on Thursday, May 10, 2018 with a Distinguished Military Leadership Award in recognition of his remarkable military career, during which he facilitated cooperation and development of common approaches to shared global security challenges and fostered ties among leaders across the NATO alliance and beyond. 

General Scaparrotti accepted the Award on behalf of the inspiring men and women of NATO and of United States European Command.

"As we gather this evening, tens of thousands of NATO forces from all 29 Allied Nations are deployed around the world contributing to operations, missions, and training exercises, in the Arctic and the High North; in Afghanistan; along the Eastern Alliance border; in multi-national battlegroups from Estonia to Romania; in naval task forces in the North Atlantic, Baltic, and Black Seas and in the Mediterranean; and over the skies of Europe providing air surveillance," said General Scaparrotti.  "These men and women of NATO are demonstrating the Alliance's ability to change and remain relevant as they secure peace and demonstrate NATO's resolve."

General Scaparrotti congratulated the other honorees tonight, former President George W. Bush, Grammy Award winner Gloria Estefan and Executive Chairman of Starbucks Corporation Howard Schultz, stating that he was deeply humbled to be recognized amongst the group — "a two-term President of the United States; a visionary servant-leader who built a famous, global company; a Grammy Award Winner and philanthropist…and then me, a Soldier from Logan, Ohio.

"General Scaparrotti stressed the importance of NATO's mission in Europe, stating the US and NATO face this complex and dynamic security environment.  Together, the Alliance must keep its resolve to obtain the defence posture we need, preserve the unity of the Alliance, and to strengthen the international order.

"This is why now, more than ever, we must articulate our principles with clarity, consistency, and conviction.  We must communicate our narrative of freedom, democracy, and rule of law.  We must affirm the importance of our alliances and partnerships, which remain the backbone of global security."

General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., the United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presented the award to General Scaparrotti.

Every year, the Atlantic Council hosts a distinguished international leadership award ceremony to honour leaders who serve as pillars of the transatlantic community. This award is the highest honour granted by the Atlantic Council. Previous recipients include NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, General Phil Breedlove, Admiral Michelle Howard, and General Joseph Votel.