NORFOLK, Virginia. Today, Allied Command Transformation welcomed a new Command Senior Enlisted Leader and said farewell to another. The Change of Responsibility Ceremony marked the transition from the leadership of Chief Master Sergeant Brion Blais, United States Air Force, to Sergeant Major Remigijus Katinas, Lithuanian Army.
The role of the Command Senior Enlisted Leader at Allied Command Transformation is pivotal, involving leadership and advising responsibilities for a myriad of issues both within, and outside, the headquarters. This person plays a crucial role in planning, organizing, and leading transformational effectiveness across the NATO Alliance, and serves as a trusted advisor to the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, General Philippe Lavigne.
Chief Master Sergeant Brion Blais, during his tenure as Command Senior Enlisted Leader, demonstrated exceptional leadership and initiative. One of his major accomplishments was spearheading the revision of the “NATO Non-Commissioned Officer and Junior Officer Bi-Strategic Command Employment and Development Strategy.” This directive set a baseline of expectations for non-commissioned officers and junior officers across nations, replacing mere guidelines with a comprehensive strategy.
As the lead for all professional development for non-commissioned officers and enlisted in NATO, Chief Master Sergeant Blais attended and audited courses, oversaw curriculum development, and appeared as a guest speaker during courses. His focus extended beyond the headquarters to foster human capital interoperability, while working closely with other senior enlisted leaders across the Alliance. “I found that the most profound impact I could have was engaging directly with the cadre and students of our NATO schools and accredited courses,” shared Chief Master Sergeant Blais. “Interoperability has a technical component, but there are personnel creating, using and adapting those technologies. Being able to translate high-level concepts to tactical employment scenarios is just one of the skills of a successful Command Senior Enlisted Leader.”
Chief Master Sergeant Blais’s leadership also extended internally to the Command, where he sought to improve the work culture. By addressing challenges and friction points within the staff, he aimed to create a culturally proficient environment, aligning values across nations within NATO. Additionally, he emphasized civilian professional development opportunities and internal training for Non-Commissioned Officers to enhance confidence and empowerment.
The Command Senior Enlisted Leader’s role is not confined to enlisted issues; they serve as overall advisors to their commander. Their intrusive leadership involves understanding pain points within subordinate commands and translating guidance and intent from senior leaders. The Command Senior Enlisted Leader must actively engage in international collaborations, like alternating the hosting duties for the International Command Senior Enlisted Leaders conference which is a critical opportunity to strengthen connections and share knowledge among this network of senior professional enlisted leaders.
As Chief Master Sergeant Brion Blais steps down, Sergeant Major Remigijus Katinas is set to take on the responsibilities of the Command Senior Enlisted Leader at Allied Command Transformation. His distinguished career spans three decades and includes a previous NATO tour, extensive training in the United States, as well as combat deployments. In 2019 he was chosen for the position of Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Defence. Sergeant Major Katinas brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role which is crucial to success. He asserted that he is “the lucky one, who after more than 30 years of service in the military, am giving a speech today not on the occasion of my retirement, but as I face the privilege of great new challenges and responsibilities.”
With the passing of the Allied Command Transformation Cane, this symbolic piece was transferred from the outgoing, to the incoming, Command Senior Enlisted Leader and those in attendance witnessed the transfer of responsibility between them. This ceremony signified not only a change in leadership but also a continued commitment to advancing the goals of Allied Command Transformation across NATO. Most importantly it served as a recognition of Chief Master Sergeant Blais’s significant contributions, and a warm welcome to the new leadership under Sergeant Major Katinas.
