NCOS | NCO Advanced Leadership Course 1_2023 in Switzerland/ Kriens
a perfect time at the Advanced Leadership Course in Switzerland
I am Master Sergeant Serkan Aglamaz from Turkish Armed Forces. I have been serving in HQ Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk/USA since 2021. Not only being nominated by ACT HQ, but also selected to the NCO Advanced Leadership Course by Swiss Armed Forces is a source of honor and happiness for me.
The excitement I experienced from the moment I learned that I had been selected for the course, gave way to a feeling of confidence as soon as Master Warrent Officer Stephan Kobel welcomed me at the Zurich Airport. The main reason for this feeling of confidence was that it was obvious to understand what a well prepared course it was.
From the first dinner we had together, I was sure that 31 trainees from 27 different countries would have a perfect time throughout the course.
I believe that starting with the leadership training and figuring out what characteristics we have. This training helped us get to know each other better and understand our roles on teams. When the icebreaker started, there was almost no ice left among the trainees to break. Since almost all subjects of the course curriculum touch on communication skills in some way, I assess that it is very useful to cover this topic on the first day. Considering that senior NCOs, regardless of their branch and the countries they represent, assume the role of consultant in the units they serve. This experience gave me the tools to view the leadership and management processes from a different lense and made the course much more precious for me. Another improtant tool gained from this course was understanding how to find a common ground when working with a variety of Nations. This includes dfferences in ethics, cultural worldviews, the branch they work in, and many other inputs. Additionally, becuase NCOs are an indispensable element of the field of operations as well as in headquarters, learning such specific information about the rules of engagement was also an indication to see the quality of the course.
Another aspect which made invaluable contributions to me and my values throughout the course was to be able to exchange ideas on such a wide range of topics with so many NCOs with whom I had never found the opportunity to work before. Getting to know them and their perspectives on all these topics, allowed me to look at the world from a completely different window and gain valuable experience in interoperability. I think the most important feature that distinguishes this course from others is that it is full of activities to enable us to experience almost any subject in a practical way, not just telling the information.
On behalf of myself and all other trainees, I would like to express my endless gratitude to the Swiss Armed Forces who has invested effort and resources in organizing this course, the trainers for their valuable knowledge and contribution to our professional career, and the armies we represent.
