The students of the 3rd company of the military school “Nunziatella” participated in an educational trip to Brussels, organized thanks to the collaboration of former students employed in the European institutions and elsewhere in the capital of Europe. The initiative offered students the opportunity to explore the city and deepen their knowledge of the main institutions of the European Union.
During the visit, the 45 students, accompanied by the supervisory officers, four teachers from the Institute and guided by the school commander, Colonel Alberto Valent, had the opportunity to access important locations such as the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European Service for External Action (EEAS). In addition, at the European Parliament, the students had the opportunity to meet the MEPs who promoted the trip, the Honorable Ruggero Razza, Valentina Palmisano, Alessandra Moretti, Letizia Moratti and Ignazio Marino. The visit to the European Institutions was a unique opportunity to closely observe the decision-making mechanisms of the European Union. The students also met the high military authority, Admiral Dario Giacomin, who illustrated the role of Defense in the EU and NATO.
After this phase dedicated to the European institutions, the trip continued to the Netherlands, at the NATO operational command in Brunssum. Here, the students visited the Allied joint force command (JFC) Brunssum, one of NATO's principal operational commands, which has responsibility for a large area of Northern, Central and Eastern Europe.
Upon their arrival, the students were welcomed by the commander of JFC Brunssum, General Guglielmo Luigi Miglietta, a former student of the 1977-80 course, who gave them a warm greeting, underlining how studying and the experience in a military school like Nunziatella represent a solid foundation for facing the challenges of the future. “The training you are receiving will enable you to be responsible leaders and informed citizens, ready to contribute to the progress of society. We live in a delicate historical moment, characterized by global challenges that require cohesion, commitment and long-term vision. NATO, and in particular the operational command in Brunssum, plays a crucial role in safeguarding peace, deterring aggression and, if necessary, actively defending over a billion citizens of member countries. As future leaders, civilian or military, it is essential that you understand the complexity of these responsibilities, whatever path you choose” concluded the commander of JFC Brunssum.
General Miglietta's words offered the students a clear vision of the importance of their educational path, motivating them to pursue their personal and professional development with determination.
The visit had a high educational value, offering students a concrete perspective on how the European Institutions, from 1957 to today, have worked to build a "common home" and how NATO has been dealing with complex security and defense issues for over 75 years.
The military school “Nunziatella” continues to stand out for its commitment to training future leaders, both military and civilian, with the aim of preparing aware and competent citizens. The promotion of the "culture of Defense and Security", a cornerstone of the training of the Institute whose motto is precisely "I prepare for life and weapons", represents an added value not only for Italy, but also for the EU and internationally, in professional contexts that range well beyond the strictly military sphere.
