Brigadier General Arben Kingji

Brigadier General Arben Kingji was born in Kukës, Albania, on 22 December 1970. He graduated from the Albanian Armed Forces Academy in Tirana, in 1993, and was commissioned as Platoon Commander at Military Unit 9001. He also holds a Post-Graduate Degree in Law from the Wisdom University.

Upon graduation he has served in different assignments including, Platoon Leader; Tactical Instructor; Team Leader of the 7th Special Group in Commando Battalion; S-3 of Special Forces Battalion; Deputy Commander of Special Forces Battalion; Staff Officer for Training and Evaluation in Joint Forces; Commander of 3rd Battalion in Land Force; Commander of the Support Battalion of the General Staff; Commander of the Military Police Battalion; and Land Forces Commander.

He has also served four tours of duty in Aug 2002 – Feb 2003 as ALB Contingent Commander in Afghanistan; Mar 2006 – Sep 2006 ALB Contingent Commander in Iraq; Jul 2009 – Jan 2010 as ALB Contingent Commander in Afghanistan; Jan 2012 – Jul 2012 as ALB Contingent Commander in Afghanistan.

Assignment abroad includes Defense Military Attaché, resident in the Republic of Romania.

Brigadier General Kingji graduated from General Staff and Commander Course, AAF Academy, Senior Officer Course, and he is a graduate of the Senior Course on Security and Defense Studies. Other qualifications include, NATO Standards Course; CIMIC Training Course; Weapons Control Orientation Course; Basic Staff Officer Course; Special Forces Course; and Basic Commando Course.

He has been awarded with various medals for achievements during his long military career, including: Medal for Outstanding Services by MoD; Service Medal; The Meritorious Service Medal, awarded by USA; NATO-ISAF Medal; International Service Medal, awarded by MoD; Career Medal; Medal for Special Services; 'Golden Eagle' Medal awarded by President of The Republic of Albania.

Brigadier General Kingji speaks English and Turkish.

He is married to Valbona and they have two children.