New Austrian Chairman of the European Union Military Committee – Vindobona.org

Austrian Chief of Staff Robert Brieger is the new head of the European Union Military Committee (EUMC). General Brieger succeeds Italian General Claudio Graziano. The body, made up of the Chiefs of Defense of the EU states, is responsible for the implementation of the common security and defense policy.

While I support the #EU #Military Committee, I look forward to continuing to build a true defense culture, with the support of my fellow Chiefs of the Defense Staff.
Gen Robert Brieger #EUdefense #Europe #StrategicCompass #EUMS @EU_Commission @EUDefenceAgency @eu_eeas pic.twitter.com/NF9Rrjcp0G

— EU Military Committee (@ChairmanEUMC) May 16, 2022

The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is an advisory body to the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Political and Security Committee (PSC).

Our priority now is to fully implement the #StrategicCompassif we want to keep our promises in terms of credibility #EU as a global security provider. #EUdefense

— EU Military Committee (@ChairmanEUMC) May 16, 2022

The Military Committee also directs EU operations, with operational implementation under the responsibility of the European Union Military Staff (EUMS).

Robert Brieger has been Chief of Staff of the Austrian Armed Forces since July 24, 2018 and took office as permanent chairman of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC) on May 16, 2022.

He started his military career in 1975 with military service. He attended the Military Academy from 1976 to 1979 and became a company commander in the 33rd tank battalion in 1982. From 1985 to 1988, he underwent staff training.

For twelve years he was responsible for the military strategic direction as well as the planning and preparation of the operations of the Austrian Armed Forces at home and abroad in various leadership positions within the Ministry of Defence. In 2001 and 2002 he was commander of the Austrian contingent in Kosovo and from 2011 to 2012, as commander of the EUFOR force in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he led 1,700 soldiers from a total of 25 nations.

Throughout his career, Mr. Brieger has held various positions.

Curriculum vitae:
Date of Birth:	November 21, 1956 in Vienna, Austria
Education:
1975	High school graduate
1979	Graduated from the Austrian Military Academy as an Armor Officer of the Theresian Military Academy Wr. Neustadt, Lower Austria
Professionnal career:
1979–81	Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, 3rd Headquarters Battalion, Mautern, Lower Austria
1982–85	Signals Officer and Company Commander, Tank Battalion 33, Zwölfaxing, Lower Austria
1985–88	General Staff Officers Course, Austrian National Defense Academy in Vienna, graduated as a captain in the General Staff Service
1988–91	Desk Officer, Operations, Section G3, Army Command Vienna
1992–94	Chief, Operational Planning Section, Operations Division, MODt
1994–95	Chief of Staff, Mechanized Infantry Brigade 9, Götzendorf, Lower Austria
1995–02	Deputy Chief, Operations Division, MOD
2001–02	Austrian Contingent Commander, KOSOVO
2002–08	Chief, J3-Branch Joint Command and Control Staff, MOD
2001–02	Austrian Contingent Commander, KOSOVO
2011–13	Chief, Operational Requirements Directorate, MOD
2011–12	Force Commander, EUROPEAN FORCES / Operation EUFOR ALTHEA
2013	Chief, Logistics Planning and Coordination Division, MOD
2016	Head, Logistics Branch
2017	chief of staff to the minister
2018	Chief of the Defense Staff
2022	Chairman of the EU Military Committee
Rank:	General of the Austrian Armed Forces and Permanent Chairman of the European Union Military Committee
Family:	Married, 3 children: Isolde (born in 1992), Volker (born in 1993) and Ulrich (born in 1999)

External action of the European Union – Diplomatic Service of the European Union