From 15 to 19 June 2009, MNC NE Commander Lieutenant General Zdzisław Goral, MNC NE Chief of Staff Brigadier General Josef Heinrichs as well as Danish, German and Polish Chiefs of the Headquarters Divisions and other HQ members took part in so-called Commander’s Leadership Seminar.
The itinerary was very demanding as all participants actually travelled the length and breadth of Poland. Only on the first day, the soldiers visited the Fortified Region in Międzyrzecz as well as the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade in Świętoszów. "I think the static display the Brigade is equipped with was very interesting", said Major Marcin Walczak, one of the participants, after the visit in Świętoszów. It was not all for that day, though. The rest of the afternoon as well as evening were "less military oriented" as a tourist guide presented to the Corps personnel the most interesting and worth seeing places of the city of Wrocław.
An old Poland’s city Kraków was the main destination for the second day of the Seminar. First, the soldiers visited the 2nd Mechanized Corps Headquarters, which provided a good opportunity to learn more about this particular unit. Then, the Corps personnel headed for Wieliczka, where they explored the salt mine and, afterwards, they could see the old town of Kraków and the Wawel Royal Castle.
On the third day of the Seminar, the Corps personnel visited the Land Forces Command Headquarters in Warsaw. On behalf of the Polish Commander of the Land Forces Command, General Kochanowski welcomed all the guests. During the visit, an interesting discussion concerning the Corps future took place. Afterwards, a meeting at the Operational Command was planned. The last point in the itinerary for that day was visiting the King Caste.
The Headquarters personnel were interested not only in the land forces, but also in the navy, therefore, on the fourth day of the Seminar, they moved to the seaside and visited the Navy Headquarters as well as the 3rd Flotilla in Gdynia. There, for example, the guests had a chance to see warships and submarines belonging to the 3rd Flotilla.
It was a long trip with a very busy programme but the participants of the Seminar were very satisfied with the results: "I have learnt a lot about the Polish military, especially the Land Forces and Navy", admitted Colonel Niels H. Andersen, Chief G5 Division. He especially enjoyed the briefing the whole group received at the 2nd Mechanized Corps Headquarters in Kraków as well as the display of equipment belonging to the Polish Navy. "It was very interesting that apart from military things, each day there were at least two cultural places to visit with a tourist guide. And all cities have made a good PR to Poland", added Colonel Andersen. As he said, the most impressive place for him was the old town of Kraków, which he would like to visit again and show it to his wife.
Integration of HQ personnel was also an important aspect of this Seminar. As Colonel Andersen said, "we have been almost 24 hours together, so we could learn much about each other, about our personal background". Such strengthening relations of partnership will definitely profit in everyday work back in Baltic Barracks.
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