The Allied Chiefs of Defence have elected Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak of the Polish Armed Forces to be the next Director of the NATO International Military Staff (DGIMS). The DGIMS is nominated by the NATO Chiefs of Defence to head the Alliance’s International Military Staff for a term of three years. Lieutenant General Adamczak will take up the position in the summer of 2022 when Lieutenant General Hans-W. Wiermann’s tenure ends.
The Director General is the head the International Military Staff. The IMS consists of a staff of approximately 500, composed of military and civilian personnel from NATO member countries, working from NATO Headquarters in Brussels. The DGIMS is responsible to the Military Committee for the efficient and effective functioning of the IMS. He is empowered to act on behalf of the Military Committee on routine matters, and, in case of urgency, to take executive action on its behalf within its established policies.
“I would like to thank the Chiefs of Defence for choosing me as the next Director of the NATO International Military Staff (DGIMS). I will be honoured to fulfill my duties and cooperate with you all to the benefit of the Alliance and our joint security. NATO finds itself in an important moment in time as we work on the revision of Strategic Concept and decide on the future priorities, aims and challenges the Alliance will face in the next decade. Our good cooperation, solidarity and unity are of crucial importance when facing common threats and I am ready to make sure that we continue our work in this spirit’ said Lieutenant General Adamczak.
“Congratulations to Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak. I am certain that Janusz will be an excellent leader of the International Military Staff. His NATO experience, background and skills will benefit the position. I wish Janusz all the best for this next chapter and I wish him every success”, said Lieutenant Hans-Werner Wiermann.
“I am very pleased that Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak has been elected to be the next Director General of the International Military Staff. He will surely follow Hans-Werner’s example and provide strong leadership to the International Military Staff which enables his staff to provide excellent support to the Military Committee”, said Chair of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer.
Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak has been the Polish Military Representative to the NATO Military Committee since August 2018.