First KSF NCO Conference
The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) held its first NCO conference on Tuesday 29 March 2011 at the Land Force Command (LFC) in Pristina Barracks. This represented another major milestone in the progress of the KSF. Brigadier General Enrico Spagnoli, Chief Military Civil Advisory Division (MCAD) in KFOR and Major General Rahman Rama, LFC Commander, KSF, attended the conference. Also in attendance were members of MCAD staff and a number of Sergeant Majors, both from KFOR and KSF. Brigadier General Spagnoli, in his opening address, stressed that the NCO Corps is the backbone of a military organisation and it is vital that senior NCOs take the initiative.
“…you exercise the power of your choices: to do the right thing and to make it prevail at whatever cost; to always speak the complete truth; to assume responsibility; to be accountable for mistakes as well as rewarded for accomplishments; and to make these choices without calculation of risk or reward,” he said.
Major General Rama stated that KSF appreciate the help of foreign officers and NCOs.
“The development of NCOs cannot be achieved overnight. This is a first step. I’d like to thank KFOR for their initiatives and the courses which they have conducted,” said Major General Rama.
Following the opening speeches, the agenda and purpose of the conference was outlined by Command Sergeant Major Fetah Zejnullahu, LFC, KSF, who thereafter chaired the conference.
tems on the agenda included the KSF NCO concept, the NCO situation in LFC, the requirements for NCO development, NCO education and the next steps in development. The KSF NCO concept which had been approved in July 2010, was described as a good tactical concept which provides details of the work of NCOs and how to support officers in accomplishing the mission.
he NCO situation in LFC was briefed by the Sergeant Majors of LFC, Rapid Reaction Brigade, Operational Support Brigade and Training and Doctrine component. A detailed discussion ensued on senior NCO appointments in the KSF organisation chart, both filled and unfilled. The necessity for detailed up to date legal regulations was identified, also NCO training and education were discussed. A complicating factor is the current strength of KSF. For example, the Rapid Reaction Brigade is presently at 50% strength so it was recommended that this be taken into account when filling senior NCO appointments.
The conference, which had commenced at 0900 hrs, resumed after lunch when a point paper was circulated for further discussion. A range of subjects such as legislation for KSF, an NCO school and the enhancement of discipline were discussed. Lieutenant Colonel Mike Ashford, Office Defence Cooperation, outlined three programmes that are currently running: International Military Education and Training, Foreign Military Finance Programme, and State Partnership Programme. As part of the State Partnership Programme, he described the existing link between Iowa National Guard and the KSF and mentioned the possibility of an exchange in the future. Following a summary, the first KSF NCO conference was concluded. More conferences of this nature will follow.
Story by Commandant Eugene Doyle, Irish Defence Forces
Photos by Mr Afrim Hajrullahu
