An Cosantóir

www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE | 13 shape doctrine, foster leadership development, and enhance interoperability across allied and partner forces. Central to the forum's effectiveness is its participatory model. Attendees are actively encouraged to shape the agenda and present peer reviewed proposals. In 2024, this approach led directly to the launch of a Junior MP NCO Course, now a foundational program for nurturing early career MP leaders within the NATO framework. This course responds to an identified gap in the structured development of enlisted personnel and has been recognised as a priority by several nations. It reflects not only a shared commitment to professional growth but also the Forum's capacity to turn dialogue into action. Looking ahead, the MP Working Group and its Senior Enlisted Leaders will continue to build on this momentum. The development of tailored training frameworks, increased collaboration in operational environments, and sustained support for capacity building among allies and partners remain central to our way forward. The 2025 forum built on this momentum with a strategic level proposal from RQMS Roch Ryan, Military Police Group, Defence Forces Training Centre: a capstone Strategic Leadership Course for Senior MP NCOs. Completing the MP training continuum from junior to operational to strategic, this proposed course would prepare senior NCOs to operate within multinational staff structures and influence high level decision making. Presented by RQMS Ryan, to a forum representing over 900 collective years of Military Policing experience, the proposal demonstrated how even small nations can offer scalable, strategic contributions to the Alliance. The proposal is now in the consultation and data gathering phase under the continued guidance of the MP COE. Follow up discussions and refinement are scheduled for mid‑2026. From an Irish national perspective, participation in MPCSELF offers unique strategic value. It provides Irish Military Police leaders with direct access to multinational best practices, strengthens our interoperability with NATO and Partner forces, and positions Ireland as a credible contributor to doctrine development and training evolution. Continued engagement not only enhances our national MP capability, but ensures Ireland remains connected to the future shape of military policing at the international level. Beyond the formal sessions, MPCSELF has fostered a highly functional international network of Senior MP and GTF NCOs. Participants regularly engage between forums to provide mutual support on doctrine development, training design, operational planning, and capability reviews. This informal professional network enhances responsiveness and reduces duplication of effort across allied and partner forces. As a platform for aligning doctrine, standardising practices, and accelerating the growth of multinational MP and GTF leadership, MPCSELF has already demonstrated clear operational relevance. Its deliberations are poised to further inform NATO MP training, doctrine, and capability development processes. Since 2024, MPCSELF has led to the creation of the Junior MP NCO Course and the development of a Strategic Leadership Course proposal both of which are now influencing MP training pathways and informing future course offerings across multiple NATO nations. As one senior participant observed, "This forum is where strategy meets experience and where doctrine learns from the ground up." Member nations are encouraged to amplify awareness of the forum's work through internal briefings, publications, and strategic communications. Strengthening institutional recognition will ensure MPCSELF continues to deliver lasting value across national and NATO structures. As senior enlisted leaders, we contribute to strategic outcomes by advising, informing, and connecting decision makers with operational realities. The MPCSELF strengthens this role ensuring the Military Police and GTF community continues to evolve in line with NATO's most pressing challenges. At its core, the MPCSELF is a force multiplier transforming individual experience into collective strategic advantage. By harnessing the insights of senior enlisted leaders across Allied and Partner nations, the forum directly supports senior decision makers and strengthens NATO's capacity to lead and police in complex operational environments. RQMS Roch Ryan delivering a lecture for a SLC MP Cse for MP Senior NCO's Iveco MP tactical vehicle Capability display

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