On 17 June 2026, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) will officially transfer command from Lithuania to Latvia, marking the handover of several key positions. Traditionally, a change of Commandant is accompanied by the appointment of a new College Sergeant Major / Course Director of the Command Senior Enlisted Leaders’ Course (CSELC) from the same nation.
Ahead of the transition, we sat
down with outgoing SGM Alvydas Tamošiūnas to reflect on his time as
Course Director, the unique challenges of leading a multinational cohort, and
the evolving role of CSELs in modern security.
What are you most proud of from your time as CSELC Course Director and BALTDEFCOL CSM?
I am most proud of building a truly multinational learning environment where senior enlisted leaders from across NATO and partner nations can learn from one another, challenge assumptions, and leave better prepared to operate at the strategic level. I also highly value the fact that I didn't just organise and deliver the course; I continued to learn personally from both the lecturers and the participants. It was a unique opportunity to gain invaluable international leadership experience.
I am also pleased that the course staff and I found effective ways to engage and guide such a diverse cohort, whose members typically bring an average of 30 years of service at the highest levels of responsibility. This is consistently a demanding task for the CSELC staff, with absolutely no margin for error.
Equally, I’m proud of the College’s ability to deliver a strategic-level programme that challenges even the most experienced participants, pushing them beyond their comfort zones while providing the guidance needed to overcome academic challenges. This programme is widely recognised internationally, highly respected, and in constant demand.
What is one key lesson you would pass on to the next generation of CSELs?
Stay relevant by thinking beyond the tactical level—understand strategy, communicate with clarity, and remain a trusted adviser who can bridge leadership and the force.
The most effective tool for linking cultures, services, levels of command, and relationships between officers and enlisted personnel is knowledge. Not just any knowledge, but new and relevant knowledge. Therefore, you must be proactive. Knowledge will not come to you; you must constantly seek it out, analyse it, and share it with your team.
You must also demonstrate how to apply critical thinking to navigate vast flows of information. Once you are able to distinguish between noise and critical information, everything else becomes significantly more manageable and effective.
The most effective tool for linking cultures, services, levels of command, and relationships between superiors and subordinates is knowledge.
How do you see the role of senior enlisted leaders evolving in today’s security environment?
The role of the Command Senior Enlisted Leader is becoming increasingly strategic. CSELs must be able to advise and effectively influence decision-making, operate confidently in multinational environments, and bring the perspective of the force into complex, high-level discussions.
Externally: The role is defined by the networks CSELs build and maintain. Modern warfare is no longer confined to a single service or nation. As leaders progress, they must adopt a Multi-Domain Operations approach. Through these international networks, CSELs can rapidly gain insight into new operational environments, gathering practical, timely information that might otherwise take considerably longer to obtain through formal channels.
Internally: The CSEL serves as a vital member of the command team, keeping a finger on the pulse of the organisation’s morale, motivation, and cohesion. CSELs bring unique expertise regarding the enlisted force, which typically constitutes around 80% of armed forces in most NATO member states. Any commander is reassured by knowing that this majority is well-understood, properly led, and prepared for operations.
In conclusion, the CSEL is a
critical enabler for the commander—effectively extending leadership reach and
strengthening organisational effectiveness. By bridging strategic intent with
the reality of the force, CSELs enhance the command team’s ability to achieve
objectives and remain prepared for today’s dynamic security environment.
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