General, Sir, after your arrival in Ulm in November 2024, what was your biggest surprise?
Major General Detlev Simons: Not a surprise in itself, but what impressed me most was the passion of the people serving at JSEC. We have so many dedicated professionals, who are eager to share their passion in detail and fully commit themselves to JSEC’s mission.
On a more personal note, I was touched by the warm welcome I received from everybody in the Headquarters. It must be typical for Ulm because I felt the same in the local community from the very first day I arrived in the region. Despite the days growing shorter, there was a warm and festive atmosphere everywhere, especially at the Christmas markets. I truly felt welcomed by everyone at JSEC and in Ulm.
Compared to your previous position at NATO Headquarters, what is the main difference in serving at JSEC, apart from its size?
MG Simons: The biggest difference is that JSEC still is a Germany-based entity and this is not only its location and the fact that the majority of our team is German. There are a lot of good administrative frameworks in place that are not aligned yet with the NATO cultures and frameworks. Given our new NATO command structure role we need to align swift to towards NATO’s, bridging the differences sometimes creates challenges. Every transition requires adaptation, and sometimes these new realities can be or are felt quite drastic. Integrating everything into the NATO system is a delicate balancing act that requires beside patience a great deal of explanation and coordination.
I believe that enablement and sustainment will become increasingly critical for the Alliance.
We see how you support the JSEC community through various events, such as the New Years’ Event and the Spouses Club. How important is a strong community for fulfilling JSEC’s mission?
MG Simons: For me this is about the term I often use: the “JSEC Family”. We must think about this because, in an international environment like ours, it’s essential to create a sense of belonging to one family, not just for the soldiers but also for their spouses and children. When new JSEC members with families move to Ulm, their beloveds remain the primary source of stability and support. And I can imagine that relocating here, especially with young children, can be challenging. And then the question is who can help. A positive example: At our recent family event, one spouse told me that she regularly saw another woman at school but had no idea their spouses were both serving at JSEC. That’s exactly why we organize these events: to create opportunities for people to connect and support one another. Being a soldier isn’t a standard nine-to-five job where you can simply switch off when you get home, so having a strong network for our spouses and kids is crucial. We as JSEC must be the bigger family for them.
Since November 2024, Major General Detlev Simons is assigned as JSEC's Chief of Staff. In his former position he was Director of the office and senior advisor to Chair of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels.
Shortly after your arrival, JSEC began its transition to NATO’s Command Structure (NCS). How is the process progressing, and what are the biggest challenges ahead?
MG Simons: I was very pleased that all Allies recently officially approved our transition. The team had been waiting for this more than a year, which is a long time. Now, we can start growing, adjusting, and aligning ourselves with NATO while also continuing to grow and build JSEC’s capabilities. My main priority is the workforce: our people. We know that we have to say farewell to comrades and colleagues who are leaving on short notice and at the same time we are happy to welcome many new team members and their families in the near future. The challenge is how to bridge the gaps between them smoothly, whilst ensuring that JSEC can fully operate in the role it was designed for. It’s about building the new team and simultaneously solve the complex puzzle how we ensure that - in big numbers - three million soldiers, one million systems, and all necessary supplies are delivered swiftly and efficiently to wherever SACEUR needs them.
Looking back on the past few months, what have been your greatest achievements and biggest challenges?
MG Simons: My achievements? You mean our teams': I am incredibly impressed by the daily accomplishments of the JSEC team. I know I push them, introduce new ideas, and challenge existing concepts, but they continuously rise to the occasion, finding smarter and more efficient ways to work. Success is the sum every little step forward of each team member: and there are numerous of these.
The biggest challenge now will be: maintaining that momentum: keeping the initiative moving forward at a pace that everyone can follow and sustain it.
After 100 days in his assignment, General Simons is reflecting his first months at JSEC and looking forward to future challenges. Photos by OR-4 Seegert
Since the beginning of the year, we’ve seen an increase in engagements and visits from NATO leadership. How important are these interactions for JSEC’s collaboration with other NATO entities?
MG Simons: For me every incoming visit is a strong indication of the genuine interest and confidence in JSEC. JSEC matters and enablement is high on the agenda of many authorities. Every visit to JSEC serves as a mini-marketing campaign, allowing us to explain who we are, demonstrate our capabilities, and encourage NATO partners to support us; whether by sending their best personnel or providing critical information.
You will soon participate in your first STEADFAST FOXTROT exercise at JSEC. What are your expectations for the second phase of this wargaming exercise?
MG Simons: Of course I have high expectations, this exercise allows us to get better, to learn. My main concern is whether we will have enough personnel to do all what we previously theoretically designed. Now we have to eat the pudding to prove it: or as we call it: operationalization of JSEC. The passionate professionals I mentioned earlier will, of course, strive for perfection. However, we must find the right balance between executing well, evaluating our designs, and improving at every level; the single watch officers in the JOC up to and inclusive myself.
What are your main goals for your time in Ulm?
MG Simons: JSEC will undergo its official evaluation in 2027. Everything we are doing today is geared toward that moment: ensuring that our workforce is filled adequate, our communications systems and information handling is up to speed, procedures, and job descriptions are fully prepared, trained, and tested. And let’s not forget that at the same time, if needed, - we have to stand our ground today. We must be ready to fight tonight with the people and systems we have in place; supporting SACEUR in his objectives. Our challenge over the next years will be to maintain the balance between fulfilling immediate operational needs for today’s fight and building JSEC for the future.
Looking further ahead, how do you see JSEC evolving over the next five years?
MG Simons: I believe that enablement and sustainment will become increasingly critical for the Alliance. There will always be logistical challenges, limitations, missing capabilities, and complex coordination issues. Ultimately, victory in warfare comes down to who can overcome these obstacles the fastest and maintain endurance over time. We as JSEC are there to achieve this: ensuring swift and rapid response by SACEUR where needed and maintaining the force and its resilience for as long as required.
Beyond your responsibilities at JSEC, how do you enjoy your time in Ulm? What would you recommend to newcomers in the region?
MG Simons: For me, Ulm is the perfect place to be for everybody. It offers everything from mountaineering to water sports, history and culture, and of course great food and the unique hospitality of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria. You have all the amenities of a big city while still have the warm atmosphere of a small village and an abundance of nature at hand. And don’t forget Ulm is situated centrally in Europe: with three airports in its surroundings offering flights to all big European cities north, south, east or west. I don’t have one specific recommendation, but my advice to newcomers is simple: explore. Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it; either in Ulm or in reach. Ulm is THE place to be!