Interview with Colonel Kazimierz Wójcik, the Chairman of the Corps Committee, conducted during the 38th session of the Corps Committee.
Sir, as you are taking part in the Corps Committee Meeting for the first time, I would like to ask about your first impressions.
Colonel Wójcik: That is right, that is my first Corps Committee Meeting. Two months ago, I was appointed by the Land Forces Commander to represent him on the Corps Committee. This year, the chairmanship is held by Poland, therefore, I have the honour to chair this Committee Meeting as well. I am really surprised about the quality and professionalism of this Committee. The nations are very well prepared, coming with a clear guidance given by the decision makers in their Capitals about the Corps Committee. Therefore, we could very quickly and with good results guide the Multinational Corps Northeast development and respond to the request from the Command Group concerning the wellbeing of the Corps as well as the operational aspects.
Can you elaborate on the decisions made during this Corps Committee Meeting?
We rather try to be very supportive of the Commander’s requests: he has the vision, he is the Commander responsible for the Corps and, therefore, we see our role in supporting him by implementing his vision. This vision has, of course, some political limitations and the Corps Committee is able to get the proper guidance from the Capitals about the way ahead for the Corps. I cannot simply tell what kind of decision we are going to take because at the moment we are still in the process of making those decisions.
What ideas are you relying on as Chairman of the Corps Committee who is going to chair all meetings this year?
As the Chairman, I would like to have good relations with my Co-Chairmen. My idea is to create a good team that could be very efficient so that we can speed up different processes on the national level and be as positively responsive to the Corps Command Group’s requests or concerns as possible.
How would you assess the cooperation to date with the Danes and Germans?
It is really very nice. I am completely new in this business as is the German Co-Chairman, but everybody is very professional with good experience.
Sir, you are a new member of the Corps Committee, have you had any relations to the Corps so far?
I have had no direct connection with the Corps per se, but with people who are working here, instead. I have some friends here because in the military world we meet one another many times throughout our careers. I also have some experience in the multinational business because I was working at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels. I was the chairman of one working group with the NATO members and other partners as well. Therefore, I have some experience how to do this business.
Is this your first visit to the Baltic Barracks then?
Yes, it is. It is very nice here, everything is well organised. The first impression is that the business here is probably done on a very high level.
