An Cosantóir

strategic review EU/NATO 25 | CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT Lt Col Patrick Flynn tells us of his role as Deputy Branch Chief in the Concepts Branch of the Concepts and Capabilities Directorate... Concepts Branch is primarily responsible for the development of concepts in support of EU-led military operations. These are developed at the political and strategic level and tend to avoid the operational and tactical levels. Examples include the Military Rapid Response Concept and the EU Battlegroup Concept. The branch is quite small and consists of a chief, who is a colonel, and seven action officers of lieutenant colonel rank. Each of the action officers has a specific portfolio of responsibilities related to the branch mission. My own portfolio includes conceptual development in areas such as expeditionary operations, countering improvised explosive devices, the comprehensive approach, conflict prevention and EU battlegroups. I have also been involved in the production of the latest iteration of the Concept Development Implementation Programme (CDIP), which is the six-monthly plan that identifies the concepts to be produced or revised in the following period. The revision of the CDIP is influenced by specific drivers such as the Capability Development Plan, the EU Military Committee (EUMC) Interoperability Study and ongoing work in organisations such as the UN, NATO and the EDA. Therefore there is a constant requirement at action officer level to interact with such organisations. I am also the EUMS point-of-contact with Finabel, a land-based grouping consisting of 16 EU member states. The aim of this organisation is to promote the interoperability of EU land capabilities in order to optimise operational effectiveness. Despite the fact that both organisations work on different levels there is a constant interaction between the EUMS and Finabel in order to identify areas of mutual interest. Working in Concepts Branch requires a thorough understanding of the EU, CSDP and related mechanisms, including the EUMC and the Political and Security Committee (PSC). The complexity is further exacerbated by the changes following the introduction of the Lisbon Treaty, in particular the emerging European External Action Service (EEAS), of which the EUMS is a part. However, all things considered, I have found that my work as an action officer in the Concepts Branch of the Directorate has been extremely interesting, stimulating, challenging and rewarding. IRISH DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE

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