In opening, Major General Schlösser asked how many staff members had accompanied him since the beginning of his work at NCISG and SHAPE in March 2021. A poignant moment unfolded as a sea of hands rose and the room buzzed with an energy born of shared experiences, challenges overcome and victories celebrated together.
Major General Frank Schlösser, Commander NATO CIS Group (NCISG) and Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) Cyberspace, at the Town Hall on 04 April 2024, SHAPE, Mons, Belgium
In his remarks, Major General Schlösser acknowledged the significant changes that had occurred during his time at NCISG and SHAPE, a period marked by substantial investment in accelerating progress in ITM, cyber security and cyber defence. He expressed his gratitude to the FMN for their invaluable support in navigating the intricacies of technical domains and preparing for FMN Management Groups and FMN Seminars.
The Commander’s pride in NCISG’s achievements shone through as General recounted the unit’s participation in exercises and operations, notably highlighting the success of Exercise STEADFAST COBALT. Major General Schlösser underlined that despite the NCISG shortfalls and deficiencies, not always visible to the outside, NCISG has always succeeded. Amidst his accomplishments, the Commander attributed his greatest achievement to the unity and cohesion fostered among NCISG’s diverse teams. He emphasized the importance of effective communication and collaboration, noting that it was through shared effort and a compelling narrative that the NCISG had achieved its successes.
Major General Schlösser commended the SHAPE J6 for their support in facilitating organizational changes, acknowledging the realignment of projects and tasks to their rightful place. He noted that in doing so SHAPE J6 has extended its core portfolio giving it a good standard and more influence in the J6 community.
Last, but not least, General Schlösser appreciated CyOC for the good personal contact. He said:
It has been an interesting journey through operations, strategic effects, SKEPVA, and defending NATO networks. But a lot of work is ahead.
Finally, he thanked his advisors, Cyberspace Management Office, Liaison Officers and his Front Office team for their unwavering support and dedication during the past three years.
Major General Schlösser advised everyone to prioritize their work-life balance, recognizing the importance of maintaining personal and family well-being, in the face of demanding operational commitments, in order to stay healthy.
As his biggest achievement, has been bringing all the working parts together, getting people to communicate and creating good a narrative.
As his tenure draws to close, Major General Schlösser expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead NCISG, SHAPE J6, CyOC and FMN, attributing his success to the agile and responsive workforce that had empowered him to navigate complex challenges with confidence and agility.
In concluding, Major General Schlösser stated that he had had a wonderful job because he has been allowed to maneuver freely and had been backed by an agile and responsive workforce – NCISG and Cyberspace.