In February, the Inter-allied Confederation of Reserve Officers for the first time ever had students attending one of the non-resident programs at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies. The organization commonly referred to by its French acronym CIOR, represents the interests of more than 1,3 million reservists across 36 participating nations within and beyond NATO, making it the world´s largest military reserve officer organization.

Major Terje Surdal, currently Vice President of the CIOR Council, heading the Norwegian delegation and former Assistant Secretary General under the previous Presidency (2010-2012), attended the three-week long seminar on Transatlantic Civil Security (STacS).

During a recent CIOR meeting held in Paris, Major Surdal summarized his experience:

"The Marshall Center offers competence, experience and network opportunities; it is impressive and something that is of relevance for many reserve officers, both in their military capacity as well as in their civilian profession. I am convinced that this seminar will contribute to improvements in several aspects of the job that I do as a General Manager within the Public Safety and Security Sector in Norway. Therefore, I can highly recommend members of CIOR through their respective national Reserve Officers Associations, to encourage and support others that would like to participate and benefit from the Marshall Center experience".

A part of the program also included a military ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe to celebrate the French National Day of Reserves, including a wreath laying ceremony in commemoration of the Unknown soldier in presence of the French Minister of Defense, Jean-Yves le Drian.

Photo no. 1 - Major Terje Surdal meeting with the French Minister of Defense

Photo no. 2 - Ceremony at the flame of the Unknown soldier

Photo no. 3 - The ceremony with the Arc de Triomphe in the background