Slovenian Senior Staff Course visits NATO MW COE for Insightful Briefings
On 11 February 2025, the 29th Class of the Senior Staff Course from the Command and Staff School, Slovenian Army Military School Centre, visited the NATO Mountain Warfare Centre of Excellence (NATO MW COE). The visit aimed to enhance students’ understanding of NATO’s doctrinal approach to mountain warfare and the centre’s role in operational planning and training.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by NATO MW COE Deputy Director, Colonel (ITA) Italo Spini, who delivered an introductory presentation providing an overview of NATO MW COE’s mission, key activities, and long-term plan design. He also answered a few students’ questions related to the role of international military organizations, such as NATO MW COE, experimentation results, and the Centre’s relations with industry. Acting as the Slovenian Senior National Representative, Captain (N) Peter Papler then presented an array of branches’ products relevant to the students’ studies. Among the highlighted materials was the NATO Tactical Doctrine ATP 3.2.1.3, which focuses on the conduct of land tactical operations in mountainous environments.
Additionally, students were introduced to NATO MW COE’s Lesson Learned Portal, which consolidates valuable insights from contemporary conflicts. Another key topic covered was the Operational Planning Course, with a particular focus on its doctrinal foundation, APP 28, Tactical Planning for Land Forces.
Major Mojca Flerin Drevenšek provided an in-depth explanation of the role of wargaming within NATO MW COE’s core processes. She guided the group through the Wargaming Room and demonstrated the Centre’s in-house developed wargames. These simulations are aligned with NATO’s Family of Deterrence and Defence Plans, ensuring practical and realistic training scenarios.
The visit provided valuable insights for the Senior Staff Course participants, equipping them with a deeper understanding of NATO’s operational and tactical doctrines, planning methodologies at the tactical level, and the importance of wargaming in modern military strategy. The engagement reinforced NATO MW COE’s commitment to knowledge sharing and cooperation with allied forces.
