The 19th Winter Camp for Non-Commissioned Officers from NATO and the Partnership for Peace was held from 30 January to 7 February 2026, at the Rudolf Badjura military facility in Pokljuka, Republic of Slovenia. The camp was organized under the patronage of the Sergeant Major of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Slovenia, Robert Rotar.
Representing the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia at the camp were the Sergeant Major of the Army, Goran Kjirkovikj, in the role of guest lecturer, and Goce Todorov, Command Sergeant Major of the 1st Infantry Brigade, as a participant. Together with 38 NCOs from 13 countries and four NATO commands, the Macedonian NCOs shared their knowledge and experience under the motto “On the Foundations of Tradition – United in Mission.”
During the camp, numerous activities were conducted, including lectures, development of critical and creative thinking, practical training, and group work. Special emphasis was placed on leadership and mountain warfare, including skiing, conducting mountain operations in winter conditions, search and rescue, as well as avalanche rescue.
Lectures were delivered by instructors from the NATO School Oberammergau, the NATO DEEP Team, and the Senior Enlisted Leaders of the Armed Forces of the Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Slovenia, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Montenegro, and Republic of Slovakia, as well as representatives from JFC Naples, NRDC ITA, and NATO Space Command Europe.
A panel discussion titled “The NCO of the Future – Technician or Leader” was also held, featuring Senior Enlisted Leaders Goran Kjirkovikj (MKD), Robert Rotar (SLO), and Filip Tunjić (CRO) as panelists.
Mountain warfare activities were conducted under the guidance of experienced NCO instructors from the Slovenian Armed Forces. As part of the group activities, a demonstration biathlon competition was organized, where Command Sergeant Major Todorov once again confirmed that Macedonian NCOs stand shoulder to shoulder with their NATO counterparts.
On the final day of the camp, Senior Enlisted Leaders of the armies of the participating countries were received by the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovenian Armed Forces, Major General Boštjan Močnik, who expressed his satisfaction with their participation as guest lecturers and with the opportunity to share knowledge and experience with camp participants and with the Command Sergeant Majors of the Slovenian Armed Forces (battalion level and above). They also visited the 1st Brigade of the Slovenian Armed Forces, where they were received by its Commander Colonel Gregor Vodeb. During the visit, Lieutenant Colonel Kesić presented the new simulation center and the indoor firing range built in accordance with the highest modern standards.
Additional activities contributed to mutual familiarization, exchange of opinions and experiences, and the strengthening of professional ties. The main objectives of the camp were to enhance cohesion, solidarity, and unity within the NCO Corps, with special emphasis on nurturing and sustaining military ethos and NATO values. The panel discussion theme, “The NCO of the Future – Expert or Leader,” will continue to be developed at the 2nd NCO Corps Development Seminar, planned to be held in the Republic of North Macedonia in 2026.
