No Images? Click here Command CornerAs 2016 draws to a close and we reflect on another busy, challenging year for JFC Naples I would like to highlight a few of the important developments that affect our noncommissioned officers, not only in Naples but across the Allied Command Operations spectrum, and to mention some of our NCOs’ achievements. For the first time, all 12 of the headquarters across ACO now have a Command Senior Enlisted Leader, or CSEL, in place. This was evident during SACEUR’s Commanders’ Conference in early November, when all 12 accompanied their Commanders to participate in the conference. We took the opportunity to put ourselves in front of the JFC Brunssum NCO community, and it was interesting to realize that we all face many of the same challenges. On a similar vein, for the Southern Flank CHoDs conference, hosted here at JFC Naples in October, most of the nations’ CHoDs brought their CSELs, and we were able to enjoy a fruitful breakout CSEL session. At the same time, ACO CSEL Command Sgt. Maj. Davor Petek used the opportunity to address the NCOs from JFC Naples on some of the developments happening across ACO. He briefed how they have completely revised all NCO job descriptions across SHAPE, removing the “unloved” title of “Staff Assistant” and ensuring the descriptions better reflect the actual work the NCOs undertake. In anticipation of a formal task to carry out the same here, we have initiated a review of our job descriptions, so please get actively involved in improving your own. Our NCOs have contributed in many areas across the HQ this year. We have conducted Joint Mobile Training Teams in seven different nations: Tunisia, Kuwait, Moldova, Jordan, Mauritania, BiH and UAE, helping to develop the NCOs of the nations and increasing cooperation between NATO and its partners. Next year we have nine missions, so NCOs if you are up for a rewarding and challenging experience now is the time to get your name down. NCOs have also participated in specialist MTT such as logistics Operational Planning Process and COPP showing staff officers of partner nations how the NATO NCO is integrated into and valued in the HQ. We have introduced our own successful internal training for newcomers, helping to increase their understanding of NATO, and JFCNPs’ role and tasks. At the same time we have enjoyed a team building exercise along the Amalfi coast and, apart from one NCO (no names or nation) who managed to lose the main party, it was worthwhile time spent away from the usual HQ battle rhythm. We will be looking to carry out more NCO professional development in the coming months, so look out for the opportunity to join in. I was heartened to see seven NCOs amongst those recognized by COM NRF 17 for their outstanding contribution to Exercise TRIDENT JUNCTURE 16 – keep up the good work – and the same to the 14 outstanding nominations for the Outstanding Military Service Member second semester 2016. In closing, I wish you all an enjoyable and relaxing holiday period and look forward to the challenges that NRF 2017 will bring.
Royal Air Force Warrant Officer John Magill CSEL JFC Naples JFC Naples holds Tree Lighting CeremonyA tree lighting ceremony was held at JFC Naples, Dec. 2, 2016. The event featured music, refreshments and a visit from Santa. Photos by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mark Patton Canadian Armed Forces Detachment pays tribute to fallen warriorsNAPLES, Italy — A Remembrance Day Ceremony to pay tribute to fallen Canadian troops took place near Arras, France at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, Nov. 11, 2016. A contingent of 34 members and their families from the Canadian Armed Forces Detachment travelled from Italy to northern France for the ceremony. They were joined by 95 members of a Canadian Light Infantry company. The Canadian National Vimy Memorial is a place where Canada honors its World War I sacrifices. In April, 1917, four Canadian Army divisions came together and fought as one Corps, achieving victory against tremendous odds. It is at these grounds where Canada came of age through the blood, sweat and tears that were shed by its citizens and allied nations almost a century ago. The idea to have the Naples Canadian Community Remembrance Day Ceremony at Vimy Ridge came from Lt. Gen. Alain Parent, deputy commander of Allied Joint Force Command Naples. Parent presided over the ceremony, and Col. Jean-Pascal Levasseur commanded the parade formation. The event was hosted by Parks Canada with the assistance of Veterans Affairs Canada student guides. The memorial, created by Canadian sculptor and architect Walter Seymour Allward, evoked strong emotions from those that participated in the event. “It’s no secret that no one expected the Canadians to succeed that day,” said Parent during his speech. “Yet here you are today, standing on the very spot where 100 years ago, German Soldiers stood watching the Canadian troops advance. The Germans laughed off the possibility of the Canadians reaching their objective. The simple fact that you have the opportunity to be standing here is a testament of how wrong they were.” Many point to the Battle of Vimy Ridge as the defining moment during WWI that brought a strong sense of national identity to Canadians. Canada’s military achievements during the war allowed it to have a separate signature on the Treaty of Versailles that ended the supposed war of all wars. At that time, Canada was a nation of eight million people and it paid a very high toll during the conflict with more than 66,000 lost lives and 170,000 wounded. The ceremony served as a prelude to April 9, 2017, the 100th anniversary of the battle. Guests to the event said the memorial that stands on Hill 145, overlooking what was once a battlefield where Canadians saw some of the fiercest fighting during WWI, is a remarkable site to visit. Laila Meutia Campana, who was in attendance at the ceremony, said the landscape shaped with trenches and tunnels draws out sorrow and pride. “One can only imagine the misery of trench warfare during the First World War through the remnants on display throughout the battlefield park,” Campana said. “It truly was an experience to cherish. Lest We Forget!” More information on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial is available at: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/first-world-war/france/vimy. Story and photos courtesy of Lt. Cmdr. Ellister Campana CD1 Event Calendar and NATO Holidays 2016—JFC Naples Fitness Center Schedule MWA Holiday Hours of Operation Dec. 8 — NATO Holiday / Immaculate Conception Dec. 26 — NATO Holiday / Granted Day for Christmas Day Jan. 6 — NATO Holiday / Epiphany Jan. 28 — Burns Night Supper and Ceilidh Jan. 29 — NATO Lion’s Rugby home match @ 2:30 p.m.
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