YROW Committee

Report to CIOR Council

Lieutenant Adam Slonecki RNR

8th August 2009

YROW 2009YROW Participants

• 43 serving young reserve officers

• 15 nations represented

• 7 have been deployed on operations

• 10 considering or intend to be deployed within the next two years

• 4 Facilitators provided – all returning YROWS

YROW Objectives for 2009• To consider recruitment and retention

issues within NATO and the impact of this theme on current and future NATO and national operations.

• To provide the foundation work for the CIOR Symposium.

• To focus discussions and learning on operational delivery and capability.

YROW Process for 2009• 43 Officers split into 3 Groups under the

instruction of a facilitator.• Group objective: to provide written and oral

support to a specific symposium panel within 12 working hours.

• Each group sub divided in two smaller working teams for speed and constructive discussion.

• Two key note speakers outside of the symposium

YROW Questions for 2009• What should NATO members consider when

developing recruitment strategies to meet the current operational challenges that NATO faces?

• What should NATO member countries consider when developing retention strategies to meet the current operational challenges that NATO faces?

• What is the added value for the reserve officer to work in both the military and civilian work market?

YROW 2009YROW Process for 2009

• Facilitators role crucial

• Kept groups focused

• Key point of contact between YROW and the committee with split locations

• Good knowledge of the topics and previous experience of working with recruitment and retention.

YROW 2009YROW 2009 ‘physical’ Product

• Written a concise speaking note and background briefing paper for the Symposium – this product has been used!

• A formal briefing paper will be written by each facilitator within 6 weeks and submitted to the CIOR Presidency

…but there is more• First hand international negotiation• Received lectures from an experienced international field on current

reserve and international issues.• Personal motivation to deploy enhanced through...• Sharing of operational experience.• Understanding of other command structures , NATO operations.• Building self confidence to deploy in international operations.• Improved briefing skills to ‘non-native tongue’ audiences.• Understanding and appreciating other military and social cultures.• Achieved specific objectives within tight time frames.• Finding the middle way/common ground and seeking to build on it• Adapt to changes in circumstance• A unique opportunity for Junior officers to work in a international

environment

YROW Initial AssessmentYROW (CIOR) room for improvement• Continue to rely upon participants to provide their

own computer equipment.• Program timings of National Delegations and CIOR

must be mindful of the impact of YROW ‘lift’ and ‘move’ - this impacts on work time and reputation!

• Last minute changes to the Symposium – we adapted and over came but…….

• Contact with more senior officers during the week only in social environments – Council participation ….?

YROW Committee 2009YROW background for 2009

• YROW Committee is focused on not only providing a safe international forum for discussion and exchange of views.

• Our work has to be operationally focused and justifiable in the current economic and military climate.

• Our work MUST remain RELEVANT

YROW Committee 2009• Offers of facilitatation of a Seminar/YROW

Platform event by Czech Republic and Switzerland – Thank you!

• Improvements for 2010 – we have Norwegian liaison officer!!

• Discussed initial requirements• Evaluated the revised YROW working

structure throughout this years YROW.• Remain motivated to deliver YROW products

but are well aware of the economic climate.

YROW Committee 2009Moving forward…• The YROW Committee wants to remain relevant to

CIOR and for our products to form the foundation of your own recruitment and retention.

• However the work of our committee and its products must remain OPERATIONALY relevant to our individual nations and NATO.

• We must clearly define what the benefits of YROW are and justify these- we are unique in concept but not in effect…..

And finally…• We started with 43 young officers who had had very limited

international and staff work experience.

• 10 intended to deploy within the next 2 years

They attended YROW

• 35 now say that they are more motivated to deploy where possible.

• All would feel more confident deploying on an international operation or working with their fellow NATO and international colleagues

• Operational Objective achieved? MODs decide……..above my pay grade!