“SOLDIER OF THE FUTURE “INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR HAS STARTED

Photos: Krasimir Todorov

“Soldier of the Future “international seminar organized together with the Information Center of the MoD was held on September 17 th and 18 th , 2007. It was organized in cooperation with DARI ( Defence Advanced Research Institute) at “G.S.Rakovski” National Defence and Staff College and the Military Contact Group at the Office for military cooperation at the US Embassy, Sofia.

Major Lawrence Dring and Mr. Jason Renier from the US Ministry of Defence – Office “Soldier of the Future” were the lecturers. They presented a series of briefings for the participants of the seminar. Some of the main topics were: “Development of the advanced research programs, related to improving soldier combat effectiveness”, “Trends in the development of personal arms and armament”, “Perspectives for the development of C41 personal systems”, “Human factors - stress and psychological support in contemporary military operations, adaptability in coalition environment.”

“We have a long and successful experience in our cooperative activity. That is why I would like to thank our US guests as well as “G.S.Rakovski” National Defence and Staff College leaders”, Navy Captain Yantsislav Yanakiev, PhD said at the opening of the forum. He emphasized that a great number of experts of various institutions in the army have been invited - departments of the General Staff of the Bulgarian army, subordinated structures and military schools, aiming at a greater effect of the seminar.

Major Lawrence Dring explained the aims of the program pointing out the active work with civilian companies and with the users of the products. Jason Renier underlined that the US Army has a very serious attitude to their cooperation with Bulgaria . “Your country has always been one of our best partners since your peacekeeping participation in Bosnia and before your full membership to NATO, said Mr. Renier”.

The first briefing presented the program “ Soldier of the future” in Bulgaria prepared by DARI team - prof. Hristo Hristov, Navy Captain Yantsislav Yanakiev, Col. Branimir Jekov, PHD and Valentina Nikolova.

The Commandant of the “G.S.Rakovski National Defense and Staff College Major General Evgeni Manev was the chairman of the second meeting of the forum. The aim of the seminar was to acquaint the Bulgarian participants with the development of advanced research programs connected with the improvement of the effectiveness of the military.