The General Officers of the Armed Force gathered for a training session aimed at sharing and cohesion.
It took place on October 24th and 25th, at the’Institute of Air Force Military Sciences in Florence, the Brigadier General Seminar which featured 40 Armed Forces Officers tackling a programme of in-depth study necessary for expanding their knowledge in the field Command Action, with particular reference to the strategic area of the Italian Air Force training model.
The meeting, now in its 15th edition, is part of the training plan of Schools Command of the Italian Air Force and it was organised by the Didactic and Managerial Training Department (Re.Fo.Di.Ma.) of ISMA, which is committed to the constant adaptation of training activities structured on the basis of feedback of previous editions. It also represents an opportunity for discussion, identification, in-depth analysis and the proposal of innovative projects for the future of the Armed Force.
Participants were able to address topics in the strategic area through the sharing of Armed Force policy guidelines, as well as specific training issues, by discussing topics divided into Panel moderated by Professor Luciano Bozzo of the University of Florence, delivered by high-profile speakers and management experts from both the civil and military sectors.
On the intense first day of proceedings, following the institutional greetings from Commander of ISMA, Air Brigadier General Giovanni Francesco Adamo, the Generals discussed the topic of’Geostrategic Update and the possible future scenarios, with contributions from Professor Luciano Bozzo and Professor Roberto Poli of the University of Trento on the management of complexity and the Strategic Foresight, and the sharing of the actions taken by the Armed Force in this context, illustrated by the Colonel Fabio De Michele, Head of the 1st Office of the 3rd Department of the Italian Air Force Staff.
The following topics were then addressed: Human Resource Management with a speech by Dr Giuseppe Severnini, a well-known columnist, who highlighted the importance of generational turnover via video link. The event continued with the contribution of the Professor Marcello Russo of the University of Bologna, who analysed the issue of work-life balance from an organisational perspective, and concluded the panel with the Air Brigadier General Alberto Surace, Head of the 1st Department of the Air Force Staff, who outlined the current situation regarding personnel and recruitment policies in the Italian Air Force.
In the second part of the day, the topics concerning the Leadership, Communication and Change Management with the insights of Professor Andrea Lipparini of the University of Bologna, who presented a historical analysis of the topic, followed by the Colonel Gennaro Di Napoli, Commander of the Re.Fo.Di.Ma., who illustrated the Armed Force's leadership training model.
The first day of the seminar came to a close with the fourth panel, focused on the Technology, Digitalisation and Ethical Artificial Intelligence deepened by the inaugural lectures of the Dr Martina Todaro, of the Association of Italian Futurists, and of the Professor Giovanni Corazza, of the University of Bologna, which was followed by speeches from the Air Brigadier General Igor Bruni, Head of the 4th Department of the Air Force Staff, and the Colonel Michele Cesario, Deputy Head of the General Office Future Combat Air System, who outlined the Air Force's direction in this area.
The seminar concluded with a speech by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Luca Goretti, who updated the General Officers on the programmes and challenges in both the national and international fields that the Italian Air Force will face in the near future in order to create a widespread sense of awareness.
The’Institute of Military Aeronautics Sciences, dependent on Schools and 3rd Air Region Command, it is home to numerous training activities, including the Normal Master's Course, the Staff Course for Captains in the Special Roles, and further training events provided for the rank of Major/Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel for Officers who will assume the role of Group and Unit Commander; to these has been added the Seminar for Brigadier Generals, which serves as a clear opportunity for reflection, during which to exchange experiences and knowledge, as well as to enhance analytical tools and stimulate the strategic thinking of the Armed Force's future leaders.
The ISMA includes the Department for Didactic and Managerial Training, which is tasked with carrying out in-person and distance training activities (e-learningand its related research/development in the fields of teaching methodologies and managerial skills, especially in collaboration with the University of Florence. By virtue of this, the Department is focal point within the Italian Air Force for the methodology e-learning and for training to the Leadership.
The Re.Fo.Di.Ma. is also responsible for the training of professionals who, in various capacities, are involved in designing and evaluating training courses: to this end, a course is provided on the Educational Design and Evaluation for Training Managers, in which advanced techniques and tools essential for creating courses characterised by the highest possible training effectiveness are provided.
In collaboration with the University of Florence, the Didactic and Managerial Training Department also runs Higher Education courses, specifically on the Human Resource Management, regarding the managerial field, and on new training methodologies (experiential learning/Outdoors) regarding innovative teaching methods.
Equally, the Institute also establishes itself as a cultural and intellectual hub for the Armed Forces, hosting international aeronautical and military congresses and seminars, as well as national and international conferences, study groups and working parties. The logistical and technological capabilities of ISMA are also recognised and appreciated at inter-service and international levels for hosting symposia, working groups, meetings and committee.
