Amid evolving global security dynamics, the Baltic Defence College reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone of multinational military education with the June 19, 2025, graduation of its Higher Command Studies Course (HCSC), Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC), and Civil Servants’ Course (CSC) in Tartu, Estonia.
The event marked a significant milestone in the professional development of leaders from 15 nations and underscored the United States’ enduring commitment to NATO and regional stability.
Brig. Gen. Alvydas Šiuparis, Commandant of the Baltic Defence College, welcomed the graduates and their families.
"I want to encourage you to maintain this connection and your network during your upcoming service in your countries, whether it will be on a national or international level,” said Šiuparis.
Several high-ranking dignitaries delivered remarks during the ceremony.
Kaimo Kuusk, Permanent Secretary of the Estonian Ministry of Defence, highlighted Estonia's commitment to defense education and praised the graduates as future shapers of regional and international stability. Dr. Karolis Aleksa, Vice-Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, congratulated the students and reminded them of their vital role as "ambassadors of resilience, cooperation, and forward-thinking leadership." Maj. Gen. Kaspars Pudāns, Chief of Defense of the Republic of Latvia, addressed the graduating classes with gratitude and pride, stating, "as you move forward, may you lead with wisdom, serve with honor, and adapt with purpose."
Course directors, the commandant and senior representatives from each nation congratulated and handed diplomas to national and sponsored graduates. The JCGSC had 73 graduates from 14 countries, while the HCSC had 28 graduates from 13 countries. This year, the college had a total of five USA JCGSC participants plus its inaugural Fellow from the War College.
Excellence in performance and contribution to the academic community was formally recognized through several prestigious awards:
- Maj. Scott Ratzer of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) received the Joint Operations Award and the Best Coursemate Award for the JCGSC.
- Lt. Col. Kevin Ryan, the inaugural War College Fellow, was honored with the Commandant's Award for the HCSC, equivalent to the Distinguished Honor Graduate.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve as the first U.S .Army War College Fellow at the Baltic Defense College and honored to be recognized as the top graduate of HCSC. My time in Tartu has instilled in me a profound appreciation that NATO and its partners are not merely a collection of nations—they are individuals united by a shared purpose in fiercely defending every inch of the alliance,” said Ryan.
Beyond the accolades, the experiences of U.S. participants, such as Maj. Tilli R. Ghale, United States Air Force, Medical Service Corps, and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, highlight the profound professional and personal growth fostered by the program.
As the first U.S. Air Force medic to attend a foreign Intermediate Developmental Education program, Ghale’s participation in the JCGSC at the Baltic Defense College significantly deepened his understanding of NATO joint functions.
“The course offered a unique opportunity to engage with officers from NATO allies and partner nations, gaining insights into diverse military, political, and cultural perspectives. I especially valued the exposure to varying NATO medical capabilities,” said Ghale. “Highlights included the 2024 War and Disaster Medicine Conference, learning directly from Ukrainian medics and the Conference on Russia, where I shared perspectives on emerging technologies shaping military medicine.”
These experiences fostered lasting professional ties with medical counterparts from NATO allies and partner nations, strengthening cooperation and interoperability across the medical enterprise.
"My time as an exchange student at Baltic Defense College has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. The JCGSC is a uniquely multinational program, with officers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, each representing approximately a quarter of the cohort, and 11 additional Allied and Partner nations rounding out the course,” said Maj. Diego Callirgos, United States Air Force. “We also worked side by side with Polish, Finnish, and Ukrainian officers during Exercise JOINT RESOLVE. That’s a lot of collective experience to learn from, and a lot of valuable relationships built along the way. Lastly, I also can't overstate how much being immersed in the region helps contextualize our shared security challenges."
Brig. Gen. Alvydas Šiuparis also shared his vision for the future of education at the Baltic Defense College throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of integrating modern technology into the learning process.
"The Baltic Defense College encourages the use of modern approaches and technology, including generative AI, to support teaching and learning. The use of generative AI can enhance the achievement of learning outcomes, expand critical thinking, and assist with speeding up the research process," he said.
This forward-thinking approach ensures that the Baltic Defense College remains at the cutting edge of academia, preparing its graduates to face the challenges of the future with innovative solutions.
The Baltic Defence College continues to be advantageous, both professionally and personally, for United States participants. The knowledge and relationships gained during their tenures will benefit their careers and contribute to the ongoing cooperation and interoperability within NATO. To learn more about the BDC, visit https://www.baltdefcol.org/.
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