General  Michael Claesson

Chief of Defence – Sweden
2024

  • Last updated: 10 Dec. 2024 16:41
michael-claesson.jpg

Present Assignment

2024-10-01  Supreme Commander, Swedish Armed Forces

Previous Assignment

  • 2023–2024 Chief of Defence Staff and Supreme Commandant of Stockholm.
  • 2020–2022 Chief of Joint Operation.
  • 2018–2020 Head of Policy and Plans Department, Defence Staff, Swedish Armed Forces HQ, in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • 2015–2018 Deputy Head of Policy and Plans Department, Defence Staff, Sw A F HQ.
  • 2013–2015 Senior Military Adviser at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Stockholm, Sweden.
  • 2012–2013 Commanding Officer SWECON ISAF (24th rotation) and Commanding Officer Task Force Northern Lights, Regional Command North in ISAF, Afghanistan.
  • 2010–2012 Commanding Officer Swedish Armed Forces Land Warfare Center (MSS).
  • 2009–2010 Head of Swedish Army Training and Exercise Program at the Land Warfare Centre (MSS).
  • 2005–2009 Military Adviser and Assistant/Deputy Military Represen- tative to NATO at the Swedish Mission to NATO in Brussels. Side accreditation to the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU.
  • 2005 Military Adviser at the Ministry of Defence, Department of Security Policy and International Issues (FÖ SI).
  • 2003–2005 Commanding Officer Norrbotten Armor Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment (I 19) in Boden (North Sweden).
  • 2002–2003 Military Adviser at the Ministry of Defence, Department of Security Policy and International Issues.
  • 2001–2002 Staff Officer at the Policy and Plans Department, Joint Defence Staff, Sw A F HQ.
  • 2000–2001 Staff Officer and Deputy Head of J3 PLANS & CONOPS, KFOR HQ in Pristina, Kosovo.
  • 1999–2000 Instructor Tactics and Operational Art at the Institution for War Science at the National Defence College in Stockholm.
  • 1995–1997 Tank Company Commander and Deputy Tank Company Commander.
  • 1986–1995 Various unit level assignments at Platoon, Company and Battalion level (Armor and Mechanized Battalions).
  • 1984–1985 National Military Service as Tank Commandant MBT 103 (S) at Norrbotten Armor Batallion in Boden, Sweden.


Promotions

  • 2024 General
  • 2020 Lieutenant General
  • 2018 Major General
  • 2013 Brigadier General
  • 2008 Colonel
  • 2001 Lieutenant Colonel
  • 1995 Major
  • 1991 Captain
  • 1989 1st Lieutenant
  • 1987 2nd Lieutenant

Education

2013

Danish Chief of Defence (CHOO) Security Policy Course

2012

SIKU 13 in Denmark.
National Defence College Senior Leaders Seminar.

2011

International Commanding Officer Orientation Course at

2007

NODEFIC, Norway.
PRT-course at Nato School in Oberammergau, Germany.

2005-2007

Intensive language training course in French, Millefeuilles

2005

Provence, France.
European Union negotiation Course, Government Offices,

2003

Stockholm.
Battalion Commanders' Course.

1997-1999

German General Staff Course at the FOhrungsakademie

1997

der Bundeswehr in Hamburg, Germany,
Focused language training course Deutsch als

1994-1995

Fremdsprache, Bundessprachenamt in HOrth, Germany.
Junior Staff College, Army. National Defence College in

1990-1991

Stockholm, Sweden.
Military Academy Advanced Course, Armor. Armor School

1988-1989

in Skovde, Sweden.
Military Academy General Course, Army. Military Academy

1985-1987

Karlberg in Stockholm, Sweden.
Military Academy

Other appointments

2010 Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences
2017 Member of the Advisory Board of the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA)
2020 Member of the Board of the Sw Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)

Decorations

  • King Carl XVI Gustaf's Jubilee Commemorative Medal IV Medal for Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm Armed Forces Conscript medal
  • Armed Forces International Service medal
  • Swedens National Association of Military comrades gold medal The Skanska Dragoon Regiment Commemorative medal
  • The Skanska dragoon Brigade Commemorative medal Commander First Class of the Order of Dannebrog of Denmark Commander First Class of the Order of the White Rose of Finland Norwegian Armed Forces International Service medal
  • German Armed Forces silver cross of honor
  • Officer of the order of the National order of Merit of France Royal Dutch League for Physical educations Four Days Marsches Bronze cross
  • NATO Service medal for Kosovo
  • NATO Service medal for ISAF

Languages

English STANAG 4444
German STANAG 4443
French Council of Europe level B 1 (2)