The Coronavirus outbreak has affected Belgium, the NATO Special Operations School (NSOS) host nation. From the inception of the emergency at the end of February, NSOS has been fully aware and prepared to react; daily monitoring the spread of the epidemic via the Belgian and SHAPE authorities, and adopting all preventative measures enacted by the Belgian government and the World Health Organization.
Thanks to Advanced Distributed Learning (ADL) experimentation and strong partnership with Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and colleague schools, we have been able to transition 8 courses to an ADL format and learning has continued thanks to flexible and motivated students and a robust Learning Management System that is maintained by ACT for all of NATO. Please ensure you register for an account via https://jadl.act.nato.int as all of our courses will now have pre-requisite ADL courses to improve your learning experience, whether in residence or by distance!
As we move into the next Academic Year, NSOS will be prepared to conduct resident classes in a safe, responsible manner upon lifting of COVID-19 travel restrictions by utilizing multiple mitigation techniques to prevent spread/transmission of COVID-19. It is our number one priority to reduce the risk of the further spread of infection and to safeguard the health and safety of all.
Resident Courses are scheduled to resume beginning September 2020. Projected Social Distancing requirements will reduce campus student capacity, so we will prioritize course attendance to students support the Resolute Support Mission and NATO Response Force requirements. We will also enroll other students on a space-available basis. ADLs and distributed classrooms, temporary facilities, and blended learning can and will be used to mitigate the impact this Academic Year to ensure we do our best to support you.
The NSOS COVID-19 "New Normal" Operations Plan will continue to be refined over the next three months as the COVID-19 restrictions and guidance change. Please keep in touch with NSOS through your National Training Managers, Senior National Representative at NSHQ, or directly to the school.
We look forward to seeing you either on campus or online!
Paul Montanus, NSOS Director
OR-09 Gerto Faber, NSOS CSEL
COVID-19 Shape Advice (English)
Important information regarding the virus and reporting procedures are contained in this document.
Further information about the Coronavirus 2019 can be found at the WHO website:
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel- coronavirus-2019
Across the spectrum of conflict, NSHQ provides strategic SOF advice, synchronizes NATO special operations activities and enables related SOF capability development in order to deter potential peer state and terrorist threats and defend the Alliance.
* Includes planning and operations support, ensuring strategic SOF domain advice.
