SHAPE: International Integration At NATO's Nerve Centre

Forces News has been to NATO's central military command, outside the city of Mons in Belgium, to find out what makes life there unique.

The Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, or 'SHAPE', is where military operations from Afghanistan to the Balkans, from the Russian border to the Middle East, are planned and directed.

What distinguishes SHAPE from many other British overseas postings, is the integration of personnel from different countries at every level.

Some say it is the most international military community on Earth, and things happen there which could not happen anywhere else.

Newly-promoted Colonel Alex Porter is ending two years as the military assistant to NATO's top commander, General Curtis Scaparrotti.

It is rare enough for any American four-star general to promote a British officer, and an absolute thrill for ColPorter to be graced with his presence for the celebration:

“I’m gobsmacked that he made it here today.

“He’s responsible for every move that every NATO soldier makes.

“To work for the commander in charge of all of those forces is phenomenal. You know, a guy that’s in charge of over probably 70/80,000 soldiers and officers is unique.”

The people celebrating Col Alex Porter’s promotion represent many countries.

A British Forces community of more than 600 is based at SHAPE.

For many of them, living and working alongside members of 28 other NATO countries is an entirely new experience.

Barriers between different nationalities disappear rapidly at SHAPE; particularly at its rugby club.

SHAPE Barbarians had not played a match in 15 years, but Wing Commander, and Head Coach Martyn Doney has brought the international club back to life.

“We’ve got Romanians on the books, Spanish, French, Belgians, Germans, Americans, Brits...

“Seeing the guys out here and putting a team together from scratch it's fantastic.

"To see that first game we played last season where we won – we beat Mons the local side 43-0 in our first ever match was just phenomenal.”

Now the team is preparing for big tournaments like the Brussels and Amsterdam Sevens.

It is a steep learning curve for people from countries that do not normally play rugby.

Zac Vasulin, from the Czech Armed Forces, said:

“I’ve never played before I joined SHAPE. It’s not only playing on pitch. It’s also socialising around and I’ve got plenty of new friends now.”

There is international contact galore in a brand new building which houses the British Primary School.

A sixth of the 155 children come from countries where English is not the first language.

One foreign parent who’s chosen to send her child to the school is Maria Ruic from Spain:

“We like the spirit of the school. To be independent, caring, respect to the others. That is very important.”

Headteacher Jens Niedzwiedzki sees living in SHAPE’s international community as an opportunity:

“Really the idea behind that is to make use of our locality here to try to promote global tolerance, global acceptance, global confidence and a rich international awareness.”

SHAPE also has its own international choir, in which around a quarter of the 40 singers are British.

Natasha Rook is leading rehearsals for a concert next month:

“The international flavour of SHAPE is what makes it unique.

"It’s what makes it such a brilliant place to live and work.

"The nations are all very proud of their own culture so it’s great that everyone shares.

"I love coming to choir because I work at the British School so I’m mixing with British people every day.

"On a Wednesday night I get to mix with lots of different nationalities.”

Julie Jones, whose husband is in the Royal Air Force, said:

“This is lovely. It’s a really lovely community. Choir’s really friendly. Bit of banter goes on usually around language.”

German choir member Katharina Giering added:

“I don’t know anything that is like SHAPE.

"Most of the people... want to have this international environment.

"They enjoy being with so many different nations and get to know so many different nations.”