Reserve Officers' Operational Level Course
The aim of the Reserve Officers’ Operational Level Course is to provide essential operational-level education to enable reserve officers to fulfil wartime roles in joint headquarters within national and allied operational environments.
This aim emphasises preparedness for employment rather than career progression or full operational command qualification, and is achieved through focused exposure to NATO operational planning and joint operations.
DescriptionIn 2026, the Baltic Defence College launches its first course dedicated to reserve officers, defined as personnel who are militarily trained, hold an officer’s rank, and serve in the reserve component of the armed forces without being in continuous active duty.
The Reserve Officers’ Operational Level Course (ROC) is an operational-level Professional Military Education (PME) programme designed specifically for reserve officers from Framework Nations who are, or will be, appointed to wartime positions in joint or operational-level headquarters.
The ROC is built upon the curriculum of the Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC). While the JCGSC, delivered over 11 months, prepares active-duty officers and civil servants to operate effectively in multinational and joint staff and command appointments as part of their regular duties, the ROC focuses exclusively on wartime preparation.
In the Academic Year 2026–2027, the course is introduced as a pilot version. This pilot includes mandatory modules in both semesters and offers selected JCGSC curriculum activities as optional components. The curriculum is designed to bring ROC and JCGSC students together, fostering a high level of integration and shared understanding between active-duty and reserve personnel.
The ROC is demanding and highly engaging. Participants are expected to undertake individual study and actively participate in a range of educational activities, including seminars, discussions, and exercises. Students are also required to complete online preparatory materials prior to arrival. During the residential phase, each working day includes on average six academic hours of classroom activity; however, military modules may require extended working days to achieve their objectives.
Upon graduation, reserve officers will have enhanced their ability to work effectively alongside their active-duty counterparts and to fulfil wartime staff roles credibly and efficiently. Importantly, they will also have established professional networks with peers from national defence forces and reserve components of allied nations, which can be leveraged in future operational contexts.
MethodologyThe Reserve Officers’ Operational Level Course (ROC) is an operational-level Professional Military Education (PME) programme designed specifically for reserve officers from Framework Nations who are, or will be, appointed to wartime positions in joint or operational-level headquarters.
The ROC is built upon the curriculum of the Joint Command and General Staff Course (JCGSC). While the JCGSC, delivered over 11 months, prepares active-duty officers and civil servants to operate effectively in multinational and joint staff and command appointments as part of their regular duties, the ROC focuses exclusively on wartime preparation.
In the Academic Year 2026–2027, the course is introduced as a pilot version. This pilot includes mandatory modules in both semesters and offers selected JCGSC curriculum activities as optional components. The curriculum is designed to bring ROC and JCGSC students together, fostering a high level of integration and shared understanding between active-duty and reserve personnel.
The ROC is demanding and highly engaging. Participants are expected to undertake individual study and actively participate in a range of educational activities, including seminars, discussions, and exercises. Students are also required to complete online preparatory materials prior to arrival. During the residential phase, each working day includes on average six academic hours of classroom activity; however, military modules may require extended working days to achieve their objectives.
Upon graduation, reserve officers will have enhanced their ability to work effectively alongside their active-duty counterparts and to fulfil wartime staff roles credibly and efficiently. Importantly, they will also have established professional networks with peers from national defence forces and reserve components of allied nations, which can be leveraged in future operational contexts.
The course is delivered through a blended educational approach that supports adult learning principles, including lectures, seminars, small group (syndicate) work, and practical exercises.
Students are expected to participate actively in all educational activities, complete required assessments, and engage in individual and preparatory study. They will also take part in the Combined Joint Staff Exercise Joint Resolve alongside JCGSC participants, with a focus on the planning and execution of operations using NATO planning processes.
Admission Requirements
Students are expected to participate actively in all educational activities, complete required assessments, and engage in individual and preparatory study. They will also take part in the Combined Joint Staff Exercise Joint Resolve alongside JCGSC participants, with a focus on the planning and execution of operations using NATO planning processes.
Participants are nominated and selected by their respective Ministries of Defence or other designated government agencies.
For the pilot iteration in Academic Year 2026–2027, participation is limited to reserve officers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Students should:
For the pilot iteration in Academic Year 2026–2027, participation is limited to reserve officers from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
- Hold the rank of:
- Major (OF-3) or Lieutenant Colonel (OF-4): Army/Air Force/Special Operations Forces.
- Lieutenant Commander (OF-3) or Commander (OF-4): Navy.
- Have successful leadership experience.
- Be proficient in battalion/squadron-level operations with a strong understanding of combined arms.
- Hold at least NATO secret-level security clearance.
- Have computer skills – proficiency in Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Have English language level 3232 (according to NATO STANAG 6001 or an equivalent test), a proficiency certificate should be provided to the Registrar upon arrival (mandatory).
- Meet respective states’ armed forces’ physical and medical requirements.
- Be appointed or planned to be appointed to wartime positions in joint headquarters.
The College provides all students with accommodation for a compulsory residential period. All students have access to the Estonian Military Academy's canteen during the study period. There are also possibilities for being involved in sports and other activities in Tartu.
During the course, several types of sports, as well as social and cultural activities, will be organised by the college.