THE EUROPEAN – SECURITY AND DEFENCE UNION
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In the Spotlight
++++ Military Education +++
Preparing future military leaders
Strategic leadership in the European Union A conference report by Hartmut Bühl, Publisher, Paris
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nder the patronage of the French EU Presidency, a two-day conference was held at the Ecole Militaire in Paris on 9th and 10th June 2022, bringing together directors of military education institutions and commanders of schools offering general staff courses from 23 EU Member States. Under the leadership of the Director of the Ecole de Guerre, Major General (AF) Jean-Marc Vigilant, the issue of “strategic leadership” was the main topic of the conference in all speeches, round tables and plenary discussions. The key question
was: how can the EU educate future military leaders to enable them to command multinational forces or take on the highest staff responsibilities in the EU and NATO? The joint reflections on the future of a European higher military education were overshadowed by the war in Ukraine and the fact that the global environment has changed as the return of strategic and power competition has serious consequences on European forces’ capabilities to achieve the Union’s objective of a certain degree of strategic military autonomy. To reach this objective on the personnel side, officers in senior military staff positions must be prepared to follow a new strategy and develop a common strategic culture. This will not be achievable in their offices but only by living, working and reflecting together.
Questions to Major General Jean-Marc Vigilant The European: General, at the end of the conference, in a closed meeting with your counterparts, you defined the way ahead: What can our readers expect? Jean-Marc Vigilant: Overall, the French initiative met with a unanimously positive response. We managed to achieve initial results and chart a path forward. A working group will be set up, which will first take stock of objectives, set milestones, and develop proposals for modular training and clearing obstacles that could block the process. The European: Congratulations, General! Which Member State will be leading the working group you mentioned? Do you have an idea of the objectives? Jean-Marc Vigilant: Firstly, the working group is a ‘club of members’ with equal rights. They will find the optimal solution. France initiated the process, does not claim leadership but is willing to assume such a role to keep up the momentum. Secondly, on the objectives, we are all convinced that such an education process needs to be all encompassing, taking into
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account global challenges, capability development including industrial and economic aspects and operational planning. Current conflicts in the world and especially in and around Europe make this education in a European framework even more relevant. The European: Is there any idea where this course should take place and when do you think the EU will take its decision? Jean-Marc Vigilant: So far, the directors have agreed on the development of a short common European education module to be implemented in the different European command and staff colleges and on the principle of a more substantial programme under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College. For the time being, everything is open. It will be up to the Member States to decide on the scope and form of this future common European education and training programme. We have thrown a stone into the water and the waves are moving. I am very optimistic about the future of this project.
