STAVANGER, Norway – NATO Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) concluded the first phase of its three-part New Staff Training and Integration (NSTI) programme on August 21, 2020, welcoming 28 new staff members and their families to the organization.
“JWC has always prided itself on innovation and progress, and the training for new arrivals is no exception,” said British Navy Lieutenant Commander Kevin Carter, the Officer of Primary Responsibility for the training event.
Carter added: “Providing a more varied training that suits and benefits the different learning styles was challenging and the inclusion of digital online training, hands-on and presentations seems to have provided the right balance. To round off the transition, it was renamed New Staff Training and Integration.”
Carter explained that the planning for NSTI started in May with multiple Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) courses to offer the Newcomers basic introductory information about the JWC.
The goal was to preserve mission effectiveness by facilitating a smooth transition for all incoming staff members, introducing them to their new workplace environment and providing an understanding of JWC’s key role and mission as NATO’s premier training and warfare establishment.
“The integration into JWC started in the form of ADL presentations. A condensed version of the physical training was developed, and several briefings normally given at the Newcomers training were digitally produced and provided in an ADL package,” Carter added.
ADL is a part of the e-NATO initiative, which aims to deliver quality education and training using the latest in technology and online delivery.
The JWC’s ADL modules included an overview of JWC mission and its warfare development enterprise, new concepts and support to the development and integration of joint operational doctrine, lessons learned and NATO Crisis Response Planning, Information and Knowledge Management, media simulation and Computer and Information Systems. Additional briefers were also introduced from the Public Affairs Office, security, finance and health and safety organization as well as on topics such as Gender Perspective and Building Integrity.
One key component of NSTI was dedicated to the JWC’s “One Team” organizational culture programme, which has been crucial to strengthening the Centre’s community spirit, adapting to the hardships imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, and building resilience.
“I look forward to working with you on the many exciting projects that lie ahead,” Rear Admiral Jan C. Kaack
“Welcome to NATO’s Joint Warfare Centre and to our One Team crew,” said Rear Admiral Jan C. Kaack, Commander JWC, as he addressed the Newcomers on August 17, 2020.
“From now on, you are an important part of an organization with a unique mission in NATO. Your personalities, experiences, individual skills, curiosity and ingenuity are the key resources we need to deliver the best possible training the Alliance and to further develop NATO’s warfighting capabilities – just as our motto says: ‘Together – We make NATO better!’ This is our sole aim and purpose.”
Rear Admiral Kaack underlined the importance of the Centre’s “One Team” ethos.
“The opportunity to mix socially with many nationalities is a rare privilege; therefore I encourage you to also look beyond your work and take full advantage of the opportunities and experiences that our Community Support team provides as well as what living in the Stavanger region and Norway has to offer,” he added.
“You and your family can look forward to an excellent tour at the Joint Warfare Centre. I look forward to working with you on the many exciting projects that lie ahead.”
Paul Sewell, who is responsible for the JWC’s One Team programme noted the impact of the pandemic on the Newcomers’ training, which was adapted in a new form this year. Sewell said: “COVID-19 has forced the JWC to think differently in many ways since it struck in March, and despite the challenges, it has provided many new opportunities. This year’s newcomers training is a great example of this. We knew that we couldn’t do business in the same way so we considered what would now work in this new environment.”
Lieutenant Commander Carter underlined that NSTI exceeded expectations.
“I want to thank everyone who has supported the training,” Carter said, adding: “Success comes from the effort and hard work from all. A special thanks must go to the Media Team and Paul Sewell and his team for their help in developing the videos and content of the NSTI. I hope the new arrivals have enjoyed the training and benefit from their introduction to the One Team Ethos here at JWC.”
With new billets for Greece and Portugal, the Joint Warfare Centre is now comprised of almost 270 military and civilian personnel from 17 NATO Member Nations, including Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Romania, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States.
The Joint Warfare Centre (JWC) provides NATO's training focal point for full spectrum joint operational-level warfare.
As part of its unique warfare development enterprise, the Centre also supports NATO’s evolving Warfare Development through analysis and doctrine development processes, integration of new concepts and doctrine, experimentation as well as collecting, analysing and sharing Lessons processes.
