Brunssum, The Netherlands – Chief Warrant Officer Paul Francis, Canadian Army, outgoing command senior enlisted leader (CSEL) of Headquarters Joint Force Command Brunssum (JFCBS) turned over his position to his country fellow Chief Warrant Officer Lance Dunn during a change of responsibility ceremony at JFCBS on Friday the 5th of July presided by the Commander General Erhard Bühler.
“It has been an honour and privilege to have been the Command Senior Enlisted Leader here at Joint Force Command Brunssum and a steward of the NATO NCO Corps” Chief Warrant Officer Francis stated in his speech. “What I will remember most from my time here are the people, our conversations, meetings, exercises and just getting the business done.”
Handing over the responsibility to Chief Warrant Officer Dunn General Bühler pointed out the importance of this unique position and how challenging this is in a multinational environment like a NATO Headquarters here in Brunssum. “Chief Warrant Officer Francis travelled the whole of Europe and Afghanistan to visit our troops, to see our troops, to check on our troops to ensure their personal welfare as well to check on their professional development. As result of his work, I see a headquarters and organization that is healthy and ready to execute its mission,” he said.
Chief Warrant Officer Lance Dunn, after taking over his responsibility as the CSEL, promised also in the future that people will be in his focus, as it is always al about people in military organizations.
The CSEL serves as the principal advisor to the Commander on matters affecting non-commissioned members (NCM) in the Alliance, while providing the command’s force structure and SHAPE staff with NCM and junior officer development, utilisation and engagement.