Brunssum, The Netherlands –
The German National Command and General Staff College paid a two-day visit to Headquarters JFC Brunssum. The aim of the visit was to familiarise the students with the role, responsibilities, planning processes and current challenges that confront this operational-level NATO military headquarters.
Take care of your soldiers, sailors and airmen!
The Staff College delegation was welcomed and addressed by the headquarters' Commander, General Jörg Vollmer. In a speech to the delegation, the General grasped the opportunity to inform visitors of NATO's future. Amongst other issues, he touched upon the necessity to rebuild military capacity and capabilities to ensure a credible deterrence and assurance to NATO allies and their populations. He also mentioned ongoing efforts to adapt command and control structures within the Alliance to make NATO not only fit for propose but also ready and prepared for future challenges.
Recalling his own time at the Hamburg-based College, General Vollmer appealed to the future leaders: "Take care of yourself, especially in managing your time and personal resources. And even more importantly: Take care of your soldiers, sailors and airmen!"
In separate remarks the German Senior National Representative in JFC Brunssum, Colonel Günter Thiermann, took the chance to inform course participants of the role of the German Delegation, under his command. He emphasised that his staff are responsible, not only for Netherlands-based German military personnel, but also for German contributions to the NATO Force Integration Units that have been established along NATO's Eastern Flank.
Acknowledging the difficulties associated with an educational trip during a global pandemic Colonel Thiermann underlined the importance of seeking to overcome such obstacles as work to sustain security and stability is too important to put on hold.