MAGAZINE
2022 from the
COMMANDER
" At our level , we can ’ t win the fight , but we can lose the fight , and our soldiers in the field will bear the consequences of our actions and inactions "
When I took command of this great organization , the strategic landscape was very different from what we are experiencing today . COVID-19 was affecting aspects of military training and limiting face-to-face interactions in professional as well as personal life . Now , we see the legitimacy and integrity of NATO ’ s eastern flank being challenged due to Russia ’ s invasion of Ukraine . It has been a dynamic and unpredictable two years , but LANDCOM has been able to accomplish so much , respond to emerging challenges , and pack a bigger punch in support of Alliance security .
One of the most consistent capabilities LANDCOM provides to NATO Land Forces is the Combat Readiness Evaluation ( CREVAL ). As the land domain advocate for SACEUR , LANDCOM is tasked to certify the readiness of NATO ’ s land forces . I have had the privilege of seeing this process grow stronger and more valuable to NATO ’ s warfighting corps . Some improvements include increasing the evaluation timeline from four days to nine days in the final phase , adding a mid-point tactical pause to conduct a “ hot wash ”, and streamlining the evaluation criteria to allow for more teaching , coaching and mentoring . These steps help make CREVAL more collaborative and constructive for not only the evaluated headquarters , but for LANDCOM ’ s team of experts as well .
Another major effort has been building teams at the strategic level across NATO ’ s land domain . With 30 nations ’ militaries joined together in collective defense of their people , there are a lot of national capabilities to be identified and leveraged . In the spring of 2021 , I visited NATO , host nation , and U . S . military leaders in the Baltics and Poland to not only gain a better understanding of the security challenges in the region , but to see how these challenges can be tackled by bringing together the right leaders and soldiers for the task . These efforts were compounded with a tour of NATO ’ s eastern and southern flank in Slovakia , Hungary , Bulgaria , and Romania this spring . Our efforts to engage and incorporate national forces into NATO planning and training has already proven worthwhile in the face of recent Russia aggression .
And lastly , after years of planning and preparation , LANDCOM has become an operational command ; acting as the Land Component Command ( LCC ). As the LCC , we coordinate with other domain commands ; facilitating the tactical / operational bridge for Corps ; letting them maximize their combat power and maintain initiative where it counts most : on the battlefield . It also leverages our role as the Land Domain Advisor to SACEUR to generate capabilities and create options for the Joint Force Commander . Looking ahead , this command is poised for further opportunities to enhance the speed , strength , and awareness of warfigthters as they defend the Alliance .
Capping off my 35 year military career at NATO Allied Land Command has been a great honor for me . My fondest memories of my time as LANDCOM ’ s commander will be my numerous encounters with NATO soldiers , old and young , who swore an oath to their nation to defend its people from any threat . Each interaction was a firm reminder of the solemn duty leaders must uphold to make sure their troops have the training , equipment , and discipline needed to fight , win , and return home to their families .
LANDCOM is a headquarters of staff officers , senior non-commissioned officers , and generals . At our level , we can ’ t win the fight , but we can lose the fight , and our soldiers in the field will bear the consequences of our actions and inactions . I am proud of the achievements this team has accomplished . I know it will rise to any challenge in service of the Alliance . LC
For The Soldier !
ROGER L . CLOUTIER JR .
LANDCOM Commander
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