The end of the CSDP Operations Planning Course, held in Thessaloniki, Greece, brings to a close the first iteration of the Advanced Modular Training (AMT) pilot course. Having brought together a large number of participants, trainers and mentors from the EU Member States (MS), institutions and EU Operations Headquarters (OHQ), the AMT proved its relevance and achieved its stated aim of providing senior officers and the civilian equivalents with the right skills and knowledge to be able to perform their duties in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) area.
EUFOR operation in RANUA – a fictitious crisis for real learning
Is EUFOR allowed to operate in NUSIA (across the border from RANUA)? Does it have a legal basis to do so? These were just two of the questions that opened the interesting discussion led by Cdr. (EL N) Nikolaos Pertzinidis, with regard to the crisis in the fictitious countries of RANUA and NUSIA. He pointed out that an open mind is needed when reading the Initiating Military Directive (IMD), and that if the IMD proves confusing or unclear, it is the OHQ staff officer’s duty to critically interpret it. Commanders’ advisors and staff should ask for clarification and propose changes or additional arrangements to ensure that unnecessary restraints are not put on commanders and that plans do not go beyond the limits of the mandate received. Cdr. Pertzinidis recognised that courses like the AMT, which address the interface between political and military domains, are the right place to discuss and learn to understand the impact of translating blurry political objectives into meaningful military effects.
Developing core competencies for CSDP
The AMT comprises two residential modules and is preceded by a standard CSDP Orientation Course as a prerequisite. To cater to two distinct audiences (those working at political-strategic level and those working at strategic level), the AMT course has been configured so that two distinct paths can be taken. All participants must complete the prerequisite CSDP Orientation Course and the first AMT module (AMT 1), but for the second module (AMT 2), they can opt for either module 2A (political-strategic level) or module 2B (strategic level), depending on where their interest lies.
The course develops key competencies by elaborating on the Integrated Approach to Conflict and Crisis (AMT 1) and practising key steps in the CSDP operations planning process (AMT 2A and B). It has been designed to facilitate working in small groups to practise the core skills needed in CSDP-related jobs: conflict analysis, analytical skills needed in planning (e.g. factor analysis, centre of gravity analysis, risk analysis) and critical thinking (e.g. being able to conduct an unbiased assessment of various CSDP options to support EU political objectives in an area affected by conflict).
Expanding the network of expert training providers
The AMT is process-oriented and does not put any emphasis on completing high-quality planning documents that would normally require the use of automated systems and cooperative work by experienced staff. The course methodology and structure relies on the experience and expertise of course participants. They are already familiar with the CSDP and its modus operandi, within the broader context of the Integrated Approach, and may have a deep understanding of various crisis areas/situations, operational experience or particular skills. The goal of the speakers and experts involved in the course is therefore to fill any remaining gaps in participants’ knowledge or skillset. The speakers and experts who contributed to the first stage of the AMT acted as mentors and facilitators, entering into dialogue with course participants and helping them to meet the intended learning outcomes.
