How do you perceive serving in a NATO Headquarters in terms of your career, your job skills, and professional development?

2017-05-15T02:43:05-04:00

I served in a NATO HQs, and am now serving in the U.S. Army NATO Brigade, the unit providing Support to all US Army Soldiers serving in NATO HQs.
I saw some studs and duds. I ask myself, why are each in these jobs and how to get the best quality Soldiers into NATO billets. (I have also worked with other Services, so am also curious to their processes.)

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2017 6:17 AM

2017-05-15T06:17:02-04:00

It seems to me to be a great career enhancer working with multinational forces. How do you define duds?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2017 7:59 AM

2017-05-15T07:59:07-04:00

LTC Private RallyPoint Member Sir, I am currently in the NATO brigade as well, located in RRC FR. The way my branch select personnel for this position, we have to go through a screening process. The packet is reviewed by the branch CSM, and only then the person gets nominated for the position. I know it can be difficult to find volunteers for these type of positions, but even the best qualified candidates can be unsuccessful. As you already know, being able to adapt to the NATO environment can be challenging. Specially for personnel who never been exposed to different cultures.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 15 at 2017 10:20 AM

2017-05-15T10:20:03-04:00

Back in my time, doing anything Purple was a kiss of death because the boards looked at a list of assignment types, purple wasn't on it, hence it was a downer. Then there was a period of time when the Service Secretaries woke up and the board precepts included purple "not be disadvantaged". Nowadays, Purple is a good bean. Times change. So in my later years being a senior officer, I made it a point to work with Skippers in other units to identify their good ones that were rolling out of their 2/3 year billet. Since Purple was now good, the people were much more interested in that since they continued to be hard chargers. Then, I'd make sure the billet boards had input from the right people.
The thing is, you can't affect the mix much on your own. However by working with the right mix of people, you can. This concept of scrubbing the system is a characteristic of any good Skipper/SEL team regardless of what type of command you have.