Poland in NATO

For two years General Andrzejczak has held the highest position in the Polish Armed Forces. He is the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, the main institution supervising the armed forces, responsible for strategic planning and development programs. He is one of the most regarded officers in Poland.

„I am convinced that taking into account his vast experience gained both in country and in the international environment, as well as his in depth knowledge of the Alliance, general Andrzejczak is a perfect candidate for that position” - underlined the minister of defence Mariusz Błaszczak.

General’s broad knowledge acquired in the world`s elite education institutions was boosted by extensive experience gained during many years of military service, including in combat, at all levels of command.

He took part in many international operations. He commanded, inter alia, the Polish detachment to UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) at the Israeli - Syrian border and twice, the Polish Military Contingent in Afghanistan. He also served within the coalition forces in Iraq and commanded a European Union Battle Group.

Strength in consensus and unity

General Andrzejczak perfectly understands the North Atlantic Alliance’s tasks. According to 360 degree rule, NATO must successfully face numerous, multifaceted challenges, including those of global character. General believes that security depends on good relations within the Alliance and with partners and the dialog is a precondition for peace, stability and preventing misunderstanding.

„We are responsible for translating political will and ambitions into adequate initiatives and military actions. NATO's focus on collective defence and protection of its members from threats emanating from every direction is undisputable. Nevertheless, to influence the shape of strategic environment and  security conditions in favour of NATO we need also to pay more attention to projecting stability and assisting partners in building their resilience. Our combined credible military power, force posture and engagement is a guarantee of security for every of the 30 NATO members” - underlines Gen. Rajmund T. Andrzejczak.

NATO, the most powerful military organisation, must be flexible and able to adapt. The same applies to the Military Committee. The Committee that governs the highest level military issues in order to provide political decision-makers with unfettered military advice, needs also to be proactive. Voice of the Committee must be heard not only when it has been asked for an opinion but also when a situation calls for an increased awareness of the North Atlantic Council or when a risk of potential actions must be evaluated.

Equal voices in debates

The role of the Military Committee is to understand divergent views and their sources, to put them in a wider context, and to stimulate the chiefs of defence of the Allies to reach agreed decisions, for the benefit of all. The voice of every country is of equal importance, and one of the chairman’s duties is to preserve this right.

Gen. Andrzejczak is inspired by accomplishments of Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach and his predecessors, he would like to continue their work adapting it to contemporary needs. The dynamic changes to the security environment together with the current economic and pandemic problems call for the priorities to be reconsidered, while the core tasks of the Alliance should remain unchanged. Significant here might be the words of the first NATO Military Committee Chairman General Omar N. Bradley, who said: “Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship.” Gen. Andrzejczak believes that solid rules of the Washington Treaty should be seen as those setting common objective.

„Being a member of the World’s most powerful Alliance, believing in its core values, I always underline the importance of solidarity. This word has a significant place in the history of my country. In the past the Solidarity helped to tear down the wall between the West and the East. Today, together with unity and cohesion it is a value that I would like to promote and preserve. It causes that our common deterrence and defence capacities are stronger than ever”. - says Gen. Andrzejczak.

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The Military Committee (MC) is the senior military authority in NATO. It is composed of chiefs of defence of 30 NATO member countries. It is the primary source of military advice to the North Atlantic Council.
The advice is based on consensus reached by all chiefs of defence. The MC works closely with the NATO Strategic Commanders to develop plans and recommendations which then are forwarded as a military opinion to political authorities of the Alliance for further consideration. Following political decisions the MC develops adequate military guidelines that are sent to the Strategic Commanders.
The Chairman of the NATO MC is elected by the chiefs of defence for a three-year tour of duty. Being the main military advisor, he presents the opinions and recommendations agreed by the MC to the NATO Secretary General, the North Atlantic Council and other bodies of the Alliance. The Chairman sets the directions and decides on the topics to be discussed by the MC.
The Chairman elections are to take place on 19 September 2020 during the MC meeting in Rome. There are two candidates: General Rajmund T. Andrzejczak, the Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces and Admiral Rob Bauer, the Chief of Defence of the Netherlands.

 

Ministry of National Defence