A solemn ceremony of already the 30^th ISOC - International Course for Staff Officers, took part on March 28^th, 2024 in the premises of International Courses Department of the Armed Forces Academy of Gen. M. R. Štefánik (AFA). The solemn nature and seriousness of the course was underlined by the presence of the Director General of the Human Resources Department of the Ministry of Defence the Slovak Republic, JUDr. Martin RÍMEŠ and the participation of the Commander of the Joint Operational Command, Major General Martin MICHALKO.

On January 29^th, 2024, 15 officers from the Slovak Armed Forces in the ranks of captain to major, 4 first lieutenants from Czech Republic and 5 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine joined the course. All participants successfully completed the course. The title of the best student received the Ukrainian captain, who set an example to other students with his active work in the course at the individual and team level. His professional and language skills as well as progress made will certainly ensure that he will pass on the acquired knowledge to his students at home as a lecturer.

The course lasted 9 weeks, completed the issues of planning and conducting military operations at the tactical level of command in accordance with NATO standards, in the entire spectrum of conflicts in the international environment. Students became familiar with the use of units of various specializations and services, as well as with the organizational structures of individual combat units at the tactical level. They have acquired the basic information and skills necessary for the military decision-making process and are ready for joint action in all phases of preparation and planning at the tactical level. During the practical exercises, they were able to try out roles in different positions and thus find themselves in a position that was not available to them until now, but which may be important in their future career.

ISOC 30 was closed with a ceremonial speech of the rector of AFA, COL GS Aurel SABÓ, who highlighted the tradition of the course and the number of its graduates, as the "ISOC family" has already more than 500 members. Many former graduates of the course today hold important positions, as either generals, military attachés or representatives of various other high military positions.

The students were also addressed by Major General Martin MICHALKO, who greeted all the students also on behalf of the Chief of the General Staff of the Slovak Armed Forces. He specially addressed the graduates from Ukraine and wished them to use the acquired knowledge as best as possible in their work.

The last speech was the acknowledgment of the graduates to those, who enabled them not only take part, but also successfully graduate from ISOC 30, the Armed Forces Academy of Gen. M. R. Štefánik, the lecturers and the entire team. Thank you was passed also to all classmates and team partners, thanks to whom they managed all the obstacles and challenges on the way to the successful completion of the course.