Nikolaos Vlastoudakis
MSc Applied Strategy and International Security graduate (Hellenic National Defence College)
Supporting statement
I am Colonel Nikolaos Vlastoudakis serving in the Hellenic Special Forces. I am honoured to submit my nomination for the Alumni Rising Star Award in recognition of my dedication to advancing strategic security, my academic excellence, and my contributions to international defence initiatives.
I graduated with distinction in 2022 from the Hellenic National Defence College. In 2023, I earned a masters degree and Partnerships Award in applied Strategy and International Security, graduating with distinction from the University of Plymouth’s partnership program with the Hellenic National Defence College.
Following successful examination, I was selected in June 2023 to attend the Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies (MASS) program at the National Defence University’s College of International and Security Affairs (CISA) in Washington, D.C. In June 2024, I graduated with honours, receiving the prestigious Honors Portfolio Award in recognition of superior writing, argumentation, and contributions to the field of security studies.
In April 2024, I represented CISA with distinction at the 3rd Annual Strategy Competition hosted by the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. My contributions were instrumental in developing NATO’s comprehensive policy and strategy to counter and contain Russia's aggression in Ukraine, aimed at defending Ukraine's sovereignty.