STAVANGER, Norway – Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste, the Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) for Allied Command Operations (ACO) at NATO's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), visited the Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) on February 15, 2022.

He was welcomed to the Centre by Major General Piotr Malinowski, Commander JWC, and Senior Chief Petty Officer Lars Raabe, the JWC CSEL.

Command Sergeant Major Saliste’s purpose during the visit was to learn more about the JWC as NATO’s preeminent collective training establishment at the operational and strategic levels of warfare, and to get updates about the Centre’s continuing work to advance the professional development of its enlisted workforce.

As ACO CSEL, Command Sergeant Major Saliste serves as the principal advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) on matters affecting enlisted troops from 30 Allied Nations, focusing on their development, utilization, and engagement.

“I am incredibly proud to be here at the Joint Warfare Centre to witness firsthand all of the hard work our teams are doing to ensure the success of our diverse mission set throughout Allied Command Operations,” said Command Sergeant Major Saliste.

“The professionalism seen throughout the Joint Warfare Centre is evident even after a short visit, and I am thankful for all of the welcome and comprehensive breakdown of this critically important asset that plays a major role in educating our troops at the technical, tactical, operational, and even strategic levels."

 

Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste, ACO CSEL; Major General Piotr Malinowski, Commander JWC; Senior Chief Petty Officer Lars Raabe, JWC CSEL. Photo by JWC PAO

 

“The professionalism seen throughout the Joint Warfare Centre is evident even after a short visit, and I am thankful for all of the welcome and comprehensive breakdown of this critically important asset that plays a major role in educating our troops at the technical, tactical, operational, and even strategic levels.”

Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste, ACO CSEL

 

Senior Chief Petty Officer Lars Raabe was appointed as the JWC’s first-ever CSEL on April 1, 2020.

Raabe said that the visit was very positive and he noted that, “it is a pleasure to host Command Sergeant Major Saliste here at the JWC, share experiences between organizations, and showcase the JWC’s complex mission and diverse environment built on a culture of professionalism, innovation, and cooperation.”

He explained: "Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) are assigned and involved in many processes of the Alliance. They are working in all levels, from the tactical to the strategic. Well-trained and educated NCOs are paramount to the success of every single unit. NCOs have learned how to think versus what to think; and have adapted to ever-increasing complex environments.”

Raabe said that the JWC’s enlisted team was comprised of professionals with a vast array of varied skills and experience with which they contribute to the Centre’s important mission every day.   

“Our major multinational exercises have seen NCOs step up and contribute to always making these events a great success. This was accomplished by teaching, mentoring, demonstration and adapting skills and giving clear recommendations for leaders in their decision-making processes,” Raabe said.

Raabe underlined that the NCOs across the Alliance “have an important role in educating NATO officers and civilian personnel by sharing their technical, tactical, and operational competence and experience.”

He added: “The hands-on experience of NCOs is a driving force on the planning cycle for operational/strategic decision-making, and therefore, each NCO should seek involvement towards every opportunity that is presented.”

Raabe also talked about the JWC’s newly established “Jåttå Non-Commissioned Officer Association”.

“Our aim is to support the morale, welfare, and professional development of all our enlisted personnel here in Jåttå, enhance the community spirit within our diverse NCO Corps, and promote leadership growth.”

During the visit, Command Sergeant Major Saliste also met with Brigadier General Douglas K. Clark, the JWC’s Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff; he received briefs on the JWC mission, upcoming JWC-directed exercises, and the JWC wargame design capability, which recently achieved its Full Operational Capability status.

He then participated in a tour of the facilities and met with the JWC’s NCO Corps at the CSEL Quarterly Hour.

 

Photos from the visit to the Joint Warfare Centre
Photos by SHAPE PAO

Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste attending an office call with Major General Piotr Malinowski

Brigadier General Douglas K. Clark, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff; Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste, Senior Chief Petty Officer Lars Raabe

Command Sergeant Major Siim Saliste addressing the JWC's NCO Corps

 

Background

NATO Joint Warfare Centre was established on October 23, 2003, in Jåttå, Stavanger, Norway, subordinate to Headquarters Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (HQ SACT), in Norfolk, Virginia, the United States.

The Joint Warfare Centre achieved its Full Operational Capability in 2006.

As NATO’s footprint in the Northern European region, the Joint Warfare Centre is responsible for planning, developing, and delivering operational- and strategic-level training and exercises that challenge NATO Command and Force Structure headquarters, while simultaneously supporting NATO warfare development through doctrine, concept development, innovation, and experimentation efforts.

In doing so, the JWC is at the heart of NATO’s transformational activities and warfare development, ensuring the high readiness and successful interoperability of the NATO Command and Force Structure headquarters in a rapidly evolving and complex global security environment.