The Advanced Leadership Training occupied the minds of the MNC NE non-commissioned officers from 8th to 12th December 2008. The training took place at the Baltic Barracks.
A group of 26 non-commissioned officers attended lectures and syndicates for five days to learn new things and solve tasks set by the trainers. The main idea behind organising such training is a constant need to enhance skills and knowledge. In fact, it is a part of the mission preparation process for the MNC NE non-commissioned officers.
The training was organised in close cooperation with the Joint Mobile Training Team from the Joint Forces Command Brunssum. Four trainers from Croatia, Belgium, the Netherlands and the US came to the Baltic Barracks in Szczecin to conduct the training. Additionally, a Polish Maj. Wojciech Kaliszczak from the Polish Land Forces Command provided knowledge in dealing with media.
The whole project assumed a form of lectures joined with discussions, syndicates and practical tasks. The topics raised during the training referred, for example, to communication skills, awareness of the cultural diversity or even some psychological aspects of the human nature, for example, so-called DISC theory was discussed. According to this concept, there are four types of people’s behaviour summarized as dominant, influencing, cautious and steady. The awareness of this may help to understand, and consequently enhance, communication between people. An important part of the training was learning cooperation and teamwork as inseparable elements of military work. The participants could learn not only the theory, but also the practice. For that purpose, they were divided into groups and had a practical task to solve, which was only possible if done together.
The media training was also included in the course. The soldiers received many practical tips when dealing with media and had opportunities to give radio interviews or statements in front of a video camera, and afterwards, to discuss the results.
An interesting function was performed by Master Sergeant Ivo Kask, who had a status of observer of this course. "Because I have already had this course before, I am just observing what they are learning and what kind of skills they are acquiring", he said. "When I have some impressions to share, I do it".
On Friday, after five long days of training, the course came to an end. "I can clearly see that the training has been very useful", said Sergeant Major Michael Frøslev, a mentor and organiser of the whole training, "We have had a lot of discussions and experience exchange, and it has opened some people’s eyes for solutions they were not familiar with".
