General Gheorghiță Vlad

On November 30, 2023, the Romanian President appointed General Gheorghiță Vlad as the Chief of Defense Staff, and the commander of the Defence Force Structure.

Prior to becoming Chief of Defence, the nation's highest-ranking military officer, General Vlad has served in a variety of positions at tactical, operational and strategic level within the Romanian Armed Forces.

His previous position was Deputy Chief of Defence Staff contributing to the acceleration of national defence consolidation process.

Gen. Vlad commanded at all levels from platoon leader to division commander. His career started in July 1991 as Tank Platoon Leader, and in January 1994 he was selected as Tank Company Commander within the 22nd Tank Regiment. From June 2007 he assumed command of the 631st Tank Battalion. Then, he commanded the 1st Mechanized Brigade (February 2014 to July 2016), and the Joint National Training Centre Getica, between July 2016 and August 2017. In August 2017 he became commanding general of the 2nd Infantry Division Getica.

At the operational level he assumed responsibilities as Chief of Planning, Operational Branch (from August 2009), and Chief of Intelligence at Land Component Command (starting with December 2012).

His staff experience at strategic level includes assignment as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Operations and Training (from February 2020 to August 2022).

Gheorghiță Vlad was deployed in 2007 within Operation Iraqi Freedom. His tour of duty included operational tasks within the Multinational Force Command.

Gheorghiță Vlad is a graduate of the Military High School Dimitrie Cantemir (in 1988), and the Military School of Tank Active Officers (in 1991). General Vlad's education includes a variety of national and international courses and programs. He graduated 'Joint Command and Staff College at National Defence University', Romania; 'Security and Good Governance' postgraduate program at the National Defence College, Romania; 'Peace Keeping Operations' course at NATO School Oberammergau, Germany. He holds a master degree in 'International Relations and Security Studies' at 'Lucian Blaga' University, Romania, and in 'Strategic Studies' at U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, SUA. He is also a graduate of 'Joint Multinational Operations' advanced course at National Defence University, Romania.

Throughout his career, General Vlad was awarded with distinctions and medals, among which: the National Order 'Star of Romania' in Knight rank; the National Order 'Military Virtue' in Knight rank; the National Order for 'Merit' in Officer rank; the National Order 'Faithful Service' in Knight rank; the Emblem of 'Merit' in the Service of Romania's Military 3rd class; the Emblem of Merit in the Service of Peace 1st class, the Emblem of Honour of Romania's Military; the Emblem of Honour of the Defense Staff.

Gheorghiță Vlad was born on September 7, 1969, in Bucharest. He is married to Mihaela, and together have two daughters.