The NSO Family Grows

By the Public Affairs Office, 22 Sep 22

The NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) welcomed 20 new staff members and their families to Oberammergau. We look forward to their contributing to the maintenance of the School's reputation for excellence and as a safe space to teach the Alliance's strategy, policy, doctrine and procedures.

At the same time we had to sadly say goodbye to three comrades who depart with our thanks and best wishes for the future.

New Opportunities for Further Cooperation

By the Public Affairs Office, 21 Sep 22

Last week, Major General Jerry F. Prochaska, Deputy Director Joint Warfighting Development US Joint Staff J-7 visited the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO).

During his stay he discussed with Colonel Jay Smith, Commandant of the NSO, opportunities to cooperate on professional military education among other areas.

We are looking forward to more fruitful, expanded cooperation and we thank General Prochaska for his interest in the NSO.

Visit from the NATO Security Force Assistance Centre of Excellence

By Col Carlo Cavalli, ITA-A, Special Advisor to the Commandant, 15 Sep 22

At the beginning of September, the Commandant of the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO), Colonel Jay Smith received the visit of the Director of the NATO Security Force Assistance (SFA) Centre of Excellence (COE), Colonel Massimo Di Pietro.

During the office call, the Commandant was informed of the SFA COE current project and the future collaboration with the NSO based on a Letter of Intent signed last May in Rome. Its aim was establishing a general framework within which both NATO SFA and the NSO. The Director of the SFA COE highlighted the ongoing projects and relationship between the ITA SFA COE and the US SFAs.

Col Massimo Di Pietro offered his continued support to the School and the opportunity for the NSO Commandant and staff to visit the SFA COE in Rome.

The NSO is Proud to Host the NATO Senior Officer Policy Course

By the Public Affairs Office, 12 Sep 22

Last week, more than 60 high-ranking military and civilian students, from about 15 countries across the Alliance, attended the NATO Senior Officer Policy Course (SOPC) hosted by the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO).

The aim of this course is to present senior NATO personnel (some new to their posts) with the key factors, concepts and principles of NATO’s current and future security environment while providing insight into the wider strategies and policies of the Alliance. Among the speakers addressing the course were Ambassadors, permanent representatives to NATO, National and International Military Staff NATO HQ and several Generals; themes included Trans-Atlantic relationships, current challenges for the Alliance and the ever-changing strategic environment.

If you want to learn more about the course, please click → here

The Queen

By the Commandant of the NATO School Oberammergau, 09 Sep 22

Sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Commonwealth on the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

May she rest in peace.

One last time

By the Public Affairs Office, 07 Sep 22

Major General Franz Weidhüner, the Commander of the Armed Forces Office in Bonn, Germany, visited the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) for the last time for now. As from October 2022 he will no longer be responsible for the German soldiers at the School.

During his last visit he took the opportunity to engage with the Commandant and his Deputy, Colonel Jac-Peter Tölkes. They discussed the challenges facing the NSO German Element and how their mutual cooperation could be strengthened in the future.

General Weidhüner also spoke to the German soldiers to gauge which topics were important to them and to identify how the Armed Forces Office could support them with these topics in the future.