YROW is a week-long programme that takes place at the CIOR Summer Congress. It represents a thoroughly worthwhile and enjoyable opportunity to meet likeminded Young Officers from other NATO countries and exchange views on wide-ranging and important defence-related issues.

The UKRFA sends up to a dozen students to YROW each summer. The theme of the workshop varies each year but in 2010 in Stavanger it focused on NATO’s comprehensive approach. The programme is demanding but academically stimulating and consists of debates, visits and attendance at the CIOR Summer Symposium. The workshop helps Young Officers develop their communications skills as participants work in groups to produce briefing papers and then present their ideas to the CIOR President.

YROW is an excellent developmental opportunity for Junior Officers and good preparation for multi-national deployments. Participants engage with Officers from other countries in a safe environment to share experiences and ideas, and to gain an understanding of how allied forces operate and the issues they face.

Reserve Officers or Officer Cadets aged 30 or under and of Lieutenant (RNR), Captain (RMR/TA) or Flight Lieutenant (RAuxAF) or below who would like to attend YROW in 2012 should contact the UKRFA Secretariat on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for further information.