Dancing Dane deploys to CIMIC committee
People Profile of Captain-R Martin Simonsen (Denmark)
By 1st Lieutenant Johan Nielsen, CIOR PA Committee
 
"I'm always ready for a challenge on the dance floor or in the committee with CIOR friends", says Capt-R Martin Lyngaa Simonsen, who was appointed chairman of the CIMIC committee during the Riga Congress this summer, and who is also an avid ballroom dancer.
 
Being a management and strategy consultant at Deloitte in Copenhagen, the 30-year-old Dane is hoping to use his strategy and process management skills to benefit CIOR.  “I'm hoping to contribute to a CIOR environment with an increased focus on results", he says.
"The reserves hold a great body of knowledge and experience, which we should become better at sharing and building upon across countries," added Capt Simonsen.
 
In Denmark, Capt Simonsen’s military designation is within the fields of intelligence and HUMINT (Human Intelligence) in the 1st Danish Brigade.  He was deployed to Iraq in 2003-2004 as a HUMINT officer, working closely with the CIMIC section and officers. He received a "Commendation for excellent work in mission" following his deployment.
 
In 2005, Capt Simonsen had his first encounter with CIOR as part of YROW.  "And I'm proud and happy that now in 2007, I’m given the opportunity to build on the great work of former chairman LCol Tony Welsh as part of the CIMIC committee," said Capt Simonsen.
 
Dancing is not the CIMIC chairman's only showbiz quality. In 2002, after being challenged and encouraged by his friends, he actually made it to the 3rd round of "PopStars", a Danish song competition and television show.