Issues and Dilemmas of Professional Military Education in Slovenia

In the beginning of 1990s when Slovenia in the process of acquiring its independence had been gradually building its own military various kinds of personnel were included in the military (with different education, military skills and knowledge, career background etc.). They performed their military roles well enough, however the military was under constant reforms and transformation. In 1990s there were evolution of the Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) toward a full defence institution, then transformation into small professional military, in the “NATO military”, in military that actively participates in international missions and operations, and lately also in the military that takes a significant part in civil protection and rescue.  In general, a desire to be a modern military has been constantly posed. The demands to settle the education system for the military personnel were also constantly raised. Unfortunately there have been too many and too different ideas and suggestions how to do it. Consequently the system of education of military personnel remains an open question for the Slovenian military and a point of never ending discussions among the actors in defence ministry, SAF and several civilian education institutions in Slovenia. Among the issues and dilemmas there can be found the following: how many new officers per year does the SAF need? What kind of knowledge should they have? Shall a military academy be established or an existing study programs at the universities correspond to the needs of the military? Who shall provide the lectures? Shall the SAF’s officers be educated in foreign countries? How to execute the staff education? Who shall pay for the education of military officers? How does the study program of defence studies fit to the needs of SAF’s professional military education?