Webserver Maintenance

By the NSO Webmaster, 20 May 22

Please note that from 23 to 27 May, the NSO Website may be unavailable for periods of time due to server maintenance. Please plan accordingly.

The NSO Offers Support in Many Ways

By LTC Christian Wilhelm, DEU-A, Department Director HIED, 18 May 22

"Following my father’s footprints" was the project title selected by Mr Pasquale Caputo (73), when planning to walk 1.700 km from Memmingen (Germany) to his home town Barletta (Italy).

On the road that his father, an Italian Prisoner of War in Stammlager VII B, had taken, the avid marathon runner headed for Oberammergau on 14 May 22 only to find out that this would be the day of the Opening Ceremony of the Passion Play 2022 and that accommodation in town was unavailable.

However reverting to the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO), he was provided with private lodging and Italian-speaking company. And thanks to the support from Mayor Andreas Rödl, he was even able to attend the Play and meet the NSO’s Dean of Academics, Colonel Ryan Craycraft, US Air Force, whose nation had liberated his father on 08 May 1945.

Mr Caputo, who dedicated his peace march to all Italian POWs, was deeply moved when he set out towards Garmisch-Partenkirchen the next morning to continue his 68-day-long journey.

The NSO hosts the USA/DEU Reserve Seminar

By the Public Affairs Office, 20 Apr 22

The USA Reserve Officer Association and the DEU Reserve Military Association conducted this year’s annual seminar at the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO).

The two associations developed and undertook a very interesting programme including lectures on current topics related to security politics and to the German as well as the US perspectives.

The participants also found time to explore Oberammergau and some of the local attractions. Last, but not least, they were introduced to the NSO, its mission and structure, as well as having a guided tour through the School.

We hope to welcome them again in the near future.

Continuous Improvement is critical to the Alliance

By LCDR Henning Hauser, DEU-N, Course Director HIED Department, 08 Apr 22

The ever-changing security environment demands relevant, adapted and qualified training solutions for the Alliance. As part of this effort, the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) constantly reviews its training solutions in order to provide tangible operational output.

The NSO’s INTEL department has adapted the training needs of the Alliance with respect to the Open Source Intelligence Course and to the NATO Security Course which trains alliance personnel in NATO security measures and procedures. Department staff members, LTC Carbone (USA-A) and SCPT Hupp (DEU-AF), have prepared two short videos to explain the respective course content. Click on the image to see the videos.

If you wish to know more about the training solutions the NSO offers then please follow this link to the → course catalogue

Multinationalism at the Shooting Range

By LCDR Henning Hauser, DEU-N, Course Director HIED Department, 30 Mar 22

Last week American staff members of the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) offered the possibility to qualify with US weapons on an indoor shooting range in Böblingen, Germany.

A detachment of the US European Command facilitated the participants and did an outstanding job in instructing and guiding the participants from the US, Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy on the use of the American M4 rifle and M9 pistol.

All participants were able to qualify at the "marksman" level or above and look forward to another opportunity later in 2022.

Passion Play Season is Coming Closer - Beards are Getting Longer

By the Public Affairs Office, 03 Mar 22

In 1633 the Oberammergau villagers promised to perform the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ every tenth year, in so far as no one was to die of the plague anymore. The villagers were answered by God and therefore in 1634 the first Passion Play took place. The promise has been kept until today.

Due to this all participants in the 2022 Passion Play are be required to observe the "Hair and Beard Decree". On Ash Wednesday - exactly one year ago a bulletin posted by the Passion Play director and the community advises the participants to "let their hair grow out, and the males to also grow a beard". The only exception being the actors cast in the roles of Romans: they get to wear their hair short and to shave regularly.

We look forward to see 5 of our staff member participating in this year’s Passion Play starting in May.

A Good Start for the NSO in 2022

By LTC Michael Reinkunz, DEU-A, Special Advisor Quality Assurance, 12 Jan 22

The NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) received the HQ SACT Evaluation Report and the final decision. Due to the result that all NSO core processes fully meet the NATO Quality Standards the institution has been awarded an Unconditional Accreditation for the next six years.

This decision will have positive impact on the NSO customers. The School will continue to offer its portfolio of 113 NATO-approved courses. All students can rest assured that the NSO's mission to conduct education and training in support of current and developing NATO strategy, policy, doctrine and procedures is extant and endorsed.

HQ SACT conducts institutional accreditation in order to provide confidence to the Alliance that recognized Education and Training Facilities, in support of NATO, operate within an effective Quality Management System (QMS). This QMS assesses the organizational structure, the responsibilities, the processes/procedures and the resources of the institution.