On 13-14 October 2026, the 5th Annual DEEP Conference of the Non-Commissioned Officer Academies and Schools took place in Lucerne, Switzerland. The event was organised by the NATO Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) in cooperation with the Swiss Armed Forces.
The conference brought together representatives of military academies, NCO schools, and defence education institutions from NATO and partner countries. This year’s main theme was “The Ratio between Training and Education in the Current Security Environment,” focusing on balancing practical military training with professional military education.
The programme featured updates on NCO development across countries participating in NATO DEEP, presentations from military education institutions, and discussions on adapting training and education to evolving security challenges.
The representative of NATO DEEP eAcademy delivered a presentation introducing DEEP eAcademy and its activities on 14 October. The conference provided a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices, and strengthening international cooperation in NCO professional development and military education.
As agreed during the conference, a dedicated NCO Schools and Academies area has been established within the DEEP eAcademy platform. This space aims to facilitate continued cooperation, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of educational resources and best practices among participating institutions, ensuring that collaboration extends beyond the conference itself.