On December 11 Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Sergeant Major R. Katinas was farewelled at a spontoon transfer ceremony in the square of Vytautas the Great War Museum. The event was conducted in the presence of Chief of Defence of Lithuania General Valdemaras Rupšys, commanders of services and brigades, unit-level senior enlisted leaders, senior enlisted leaders of the Latvian, Estonian and U.S. units deployed in Lithuania, family members and dignitaries.
“Non-commissioned officers are the quiet but strong backbone of the Lithuanian Armed Forces that has a special role in cultivation of the spirits, morale and values in the military. It is even more important because Sergeant Major that Remigijaus Katinas transfers to his new responsibilities in the NATO Command HQ in charge of future transformation, technological advance and development of modern, efficiency-building forces of the Alliance. This designation stands as a really high evaluation the merit of all Lithuanian NCO corps and of Remigijus personally,” said Gen V. Rupšys thanking for his service.
Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Lithuanian Armed Forces is the aid and advisor to the Chief of Defence concerning all matters relating to soldiers (seamen) and the NCO corps. He implements and is accountable for the policies of the corps. The incumbent Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Sgt Maj R. Katinas was appointed on 10 August 2019.
“It has been a huge honor to serve the Lithuanian military, the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Lithuania. Let me close my address with a motto that has been with me for many years of service and helped me become who I am today: Become better and improve before leaving behind,” said Sgt Maj R. Katinas in his farewell address.
Sgt Maj R. Katinas started service in the Lithuanian Armed Forces on 27 November 1993 as a mandatory military service conscript. His entire service has made him a highly experience member of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The position of senior enlisted leader encompasses various responsibilities, from a squad leader, platoon commander to a senior operations specialist and Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Sgt Maj R. Katinas was deployed to the international operations in Afghanistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He improved his qualification at the international sergeants course at the United States Marine Corps University and Sergeant Major Course at the U.S. Sergeant Major Academy , and the Basic Instructor Course at the Navy Training Centre in Norfolk.
Sgt Maj R. Katinas was recognized with the National Defence System Medal for International Deployments, Lithuanian Armed Forces Medal of Merit, service-level medals, badges of honour, recognition gifts, commendations for his consistent contribution and quality service. His new appointment to the Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, United States is one of the most senior NCO positions across all NATO organisations, the other one being at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.
The first Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was appointed 24 years ago, the position is marked with a spontoon insignia and weapon, a short-shaft spear with a wide decorated spearhead. The weapon was widely used in the 17-19th centuries in combat, then it became a symbolic instrument for delivering orders (signals) on the battlefield or in formation.
Photo credit: Capt Edvinas Urbonas.
