From February 24 to 28, Eurocorps executed a Multinational Training Week (MNTW) in Stetten, Germany, bringing together soldiers from its six framework nations for an intensive training program aimed at strengthening multinational cooperation, combat readiness, and tactical skills. The week served as a key milestone in Eurocorps’ ongoing efforts to foster a shared operational mindset among its personnel.
Building Cohesion and Tactical Skills
The training began with a cohesion march, designed to reinforce teamwork and mutual trust among participants from different national backgrounds. Soldiers engaged in dry weapon drills to refresh fundamental handling techniques before proceeding to more advanced exercises. They also tackled an obstacle course in teams, emphasizing endurance, problem-solving, and cooperation under physical stress—essential elements of real-world military operations.
Live-Fire Drills with a Multinational Instruction System
A major highlight of the MNTW was the live-fire exercises, where troops trained with a variety of small arms, including the French FAMAS, the German P8 pistol and G36 rifle, the Belgian FN Five-seveN pistol, and the SCAR-L. The shooting drills covered both individual marksmanship and section- or group-level defensive shooting, ensuring that soldiers could effectively operate as a unit in combat scenarios.
To maximize interoperability, the shooting instruction followed a multinational training system, with all commands and procedures conducted in English. This standardization ensures that personnel from different nations can seamlessly work together in future joint operations. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to qualify for the German Schützenschnur marksmanship badge, further enhancing their combat credentials.
Specialized Training and Tactical Knowledge
Beyond shooting drills, the training week included specialized instruction in Counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Device) tactics and Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). These sessions provided critical knowledge for operating in modern conflict zones, where both explosive threats and battlefield medical response capabilities are vital to mission success.
Evening sessions featured briefings on a range of strategic and operational topics, including cybersecurity, the geopolitical situation in Ukraine, rules of engagement, and personal recovery procedures. These discussions helped broaden participants’ understanding of modern warfare challenges, complementing the hands-on tactical training with a strong theoretical foundation.
Eurocorps’ Train-the-Trainer Program: A Long-Term Investment in multinational shooting instruction
A key factor in the success of the MNTW was the Eurocorps Train-the-Trainer program, which began one and a half years ago. This initiative was launched to develop highly qualified multinational shooting instructors who could deliver standardized, high-quality shooting training across the corps.
Since its inception, Eurocorps has conducted two Train-the-Trainer cycles, producing a cadre of skilled monitors who are now actively involved in leading instruction on the shooting ranges. These instructors played a pivotal role during the MNTW, ensuring that soldiers from all six nations received instruction of the highest standard. Their presence demonstrates the long-term benefits of investing in in-house expertise, allowing Eurocorps to continuously improve its interoperability between its nations.
Strengthening Multinational Readiness
The Multinational Training Week in Stetten reinforced Eurocorps’ commitment to operational excellence and multinational cooperation. By combining various training, standardized training methodologies, and advanced theoretical instruction, Eurocorps continues to enhance its ability to operate as a cohesive force in future deployments.
With its Train-the-Trainer program now producing effective instructors and multinational training efforts expanding, Eurocorps is setting a strong foundation for continued success in multinational military operations.
The ultimate goal is to expand the multinational shooting training into other domains like TCCC, CBRN and other domains to enhance interoperability among its members.
