A European Army of Thinking Soldiers – European Academic Officers’ Education: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

A European army, as recently claimed by French President Macron and German Chancellor Merkel, is not to be expected in the near future due to a varied landscape of national interests of the states involved. The same can be concluded with regard to the integration of European training and education or even a European Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the European security and defence domain. However, from the end of the Cold War, training and education in the wider Europe broadened in themes and was strengthened by additional institutional structures due to multilateral, organizational and inter-organizational initiatives. Especially with the entrance of the EU into the security and defence domain of the European security architecture. Nevertheless, these initiatives and further strengthening of these initiatives face challenges due to diversified national interests, but likewise offer opportunities. This chapter discusses these developments of training, education and research in the European security and defence domain and addresses the challenges and opportunities.