Cooperation between the NSO and the Baltic Defence College Strengthens the Alliance

By the Public Affairs Office, 06 Apr 21

Colonel Michael A. Davis, Commandant of the NATO School Oberammergau and Brigadier General Ilmar Tamm, Commandant of the Baltic Defence College signed a letter of intent establishing the key tenets of future cooperation between the two institutions.

Both leaders are pleased to increase and reinforce the levels of education and training delivered to NATO allies and partners.

Professionalism is Key at the NSO

By the Public Affairs Office, 29 Mar 21

During a two-week residential course, the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) Staff introduced the Comprehensive Operations Planning Course (COPC) to 34 students from 16 different nations who learned the added advantage of the networking opportunity at the School and how this could assist them to work within a Joint operational-level headquarters.

The Course was undertaken by the Joint Plans and Operations Department (JPOD) which was supported by a retired three-star flag officer as the senior mentor. The students especially enjoyed the practical application sessions and the professionalism of the NSO team during this course.

The next iteration of the course is in May in Oberammergau. Further information is available → here.

Outdoor Survival Training for NSO Staff Member

By the Public Affairs Office, 23 Mar 21

One of the NATO School Oberammergau’s (NSO) Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) had the opportunity to join the Slovenian Armed Forces International Winter Camp this year. The 14th annual Winter Camp took place in Pokljuka in the heart of the Julian Alps. This week long course included a combination of classroom workshops and winter outdoor survival techniques such as skiing, search and rescue, and establishing a base camp; all in compliance with the current COVID-19 rules.

Corporal Michael Bradley who used this chance to participate enjoyed his time in the Winter Camp: “Sharing past experiences and knowledge with different multinational partners has made this trip more valuable not only to my profession, but also how I approach situations in everyday life. What I take away from this camp is the great knowledge I learned here from my fellow NCO’s and I look forward to our paths crossing again someday.”

Successful Evening for all Night Owls

By the Public Affairs Office, 18 Mar 21

This week, students and staff members at the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) had the chance to participate in an evening lecture, called Night Owl Session. These sessions draw on the knowledge and experience of Flag Officers or industry leaders.

Lt Gen Mark Ramsay (USAF ret.) reflected on his time and experience as Deputy Chief of Staff Operations SHAPE during Operation Unified Protector in 2011.

The NSO thanks Gen Ramsey for this interesting Night Owl Session and hopes to welcome him back to the School in the very near future.

First Virtual Tour through the NSO

By the Public Affairs Office, 16 Mar 21

Due to the current COVID travel restrictions not everyone is able to visit the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) in person however we see this as an opportunity.

Last week a Bavarian school class navigated, virtually, through the NSO with the opportunity to interact and question the NSO's Chief Public Affairs.

This group was the first of its kind to take advantage of this option and we look forward to many more online visitors.

NEW Online Learning Opportunities for Students

By the Public Affairs Office, 09 Mar 21

The NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) has launched its ILIAS-based Learning Management System (LMS) with 38 international students graduating from the NATO Quality Assurance Course, delivered for the first time online.

The decision to launch the LMS was driven by the need to satisfy the growing online training demand in light of COVID travel. The NSO's Distributed Learning programme has expanded rapidly and, from summer 2021, more than 30 courses will be available online.

Ms. Bianca Diminic, the Course Assistant, said: "It was exciting to see how students from all over the NATO Alliance, from Norway to Greece and even over to the USA and Canada, were able to learn together online. We even held an online ice-breaker and a virtual class photo."

Further Information about our online courses click → here

The NSO trained 22 Generals

By the Public Affairs Office, 03 Mar 21

Since November 2020, the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) has trained more than 20 generals from 10 different NATO Command Structure Headquarters in the Target Engagement Authority- Senior Leadership (TEA-SL) role. Amongst others, General Tim Radford, the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR), was advised of the roles, responsibilities and involvements of NATO’s senior military leadership in the Joint Targeting process.

To complete the series of TEA-SL seminars, General Jörg Vollmer, Commander Joint Force Command Brunssum, took part via video teleconference. The NSO’s Joint Targeting instructor team took the opportunity to answer questions raised during the briefing and follow-on discussions.

If you want to learn more about Joint Targeting, please click → here

General Cavoli visit to the NSO

By the Public Affairs Office, 22 Feb 21

The Commanding General U.S. Army Europe and Africa, General Christopher Cavoli was welcomed by the leadership to the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO).

Gen Cavoli and the NSO Commandant, Col Michael Davis discussed the role of the School and its importance to the Alliance. Amongst topics on the agenda were the School’s operation under COVID-19 conditions and future potential cooperation with the U.S. Army Europe and Africa.

General Cavoli was pleased to see how the School was dealing with the current situation and that students from many different nations were still able to learn and share their knowledge and experience with one another.

NSO welcomed General Norrie

By the Public Affairs Office, 17 Feb 21

The NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) welcomed Brigadier General Christopher R. Norrie, Commander of the 7th Army Training Command from Grafenwöhr. The NSO leadership was proud to present the training curriculum to General Norrie and give him a glimpse into the School's day-to-day operations. The NSO Commandant, Colonel Michael A. Davis, made specific mention of the School's hygiene concept and showed General Norrie the progress being made in digital learning.

We hope to welcome the General back to the NSO in the very near future.

Sporting Successes Strengthen Cohesion

By the Public Affairs Office, 11 Feb 21

Adding another ribbon to the uniform: Two French Officers serving with the NSO completed the 2020 physical fitness challenge and receiving the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) sports medal in silver. All members of the NSO's Hybrid, Influence & Effects Department (HIED) department have received this German decoration for excelling in four different athletic disciplines.

Training together has both been fun and strengthened their bond as NATO allies.

The NSO Giving Tree was a great success

By the Public Affairs Office, 08 Feb 21

Shortly before Christmas, the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) staff fulfilled many wishes of the children of the Marie-Mattfeld Haus in Oberammergau and bought them gifts. The children were very excited when they received the presents on Christmas Eve. Now they wanted to thank “Santa Claus” and created lots of thank-you cards with heart-warming messages.

The NSO is delighted to support the orphanage and hopes to do so in the future.

Congratulations to our new Certified Instructors

By the Public Affairs Office, 02 Feb 21

Four staff members of the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO) have received the Certified Instructor Certificate. After having attended several courses and training sessions for more than a year, our staff is delighted to receive this document from the Dean of Academics.

NSO instructors play a leading role in providing the highest quality education and training at the school. Each instructor is responsible for making learning as effective as possible.

We wish them all the best. If you want more information obout our NATO Certified Instructor Programme, please click → here.

NSO Media Training with new CSELs

By the Public Affairs Office, 21 Jan 21

Effective communication is one key to success in the modern world. Thus, media training forms an integral part of the two-week Command Senior Enlisted Leaders (CSEL) Course at the NATO School Oberammergau (NSO).

For almost a full day, our 9 students from 8 NATO and PfP partner nations learn how to understand communications, deal with journalists and master simple interview situations. Supported by professional Public Affairs trainers, they simulate live interviews on TV and radio with real journalists. In times of COVID-19, this of course includes remote interview techniques via Skype or Webex.

If you want to find out more about the CSEL Course here at the NSO, please visit our → Course Catalogue.