It is my pleasure to welcome each of you to the 34th International Mönchengladbach Military competition (IMM). Thirty three years ago, the Bundeswehr launched the IMM to promote interoperability among NATO Forces. This is the longest running competition of its kind, and today, the tradition continues with you.
Your willingness to participate speaks volumes about your dedication to personal and professional excel- lence. Ensuring ready and postured forces is one of my top priorities, and the IMM enhances our readiness for the variety of missions we execute. I commend you for pushing yourself and those around you to higher levels of performance.
The IMM also provides an opportunity to develop relationships, and I trust that in the heat of competition you will forge new friendships with fellow NATO Service members. These relationships are vital to the Alli- ance. Unity is our “center of gravity,” and the IMM exempli es our solidarity.
Again, I applaud you for participating in this year’s IMM. I wish you all the best of luck
Curtis M. Scaparrotti General, US Army