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Kivinen, Timo Pekka

General

Position

Chief of Defence

Date and place of birth

8th December 1959 in Lappeenranta, Finland

Family

Spouse Maarit Kivinen
Four children

Military education and career

  • Military Academy 1979–1982
  • Instructor, Uusimaa Battalion 1982–1985
  • US Army Airborne and Ranger Courses, USA 1983
  • Instructor, Army Academy, Lappeenranta 1985–1986
  • Infantry Captain Course 1986–1987
  • Company Commander, Uusimaa Jaeger Battalion 1987–1988
  • Staff Officer, Helsinki Military District Headquarters 1988–1991
  • War College 1991–1993
  • Assistant Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff, Uusimaa Jaeger Battalion 1993–1994
  • Senior Staff Officer, Defence Command Finland 1994–1997
  • United Nation Staff Officer Course, Sweden 1996
  • Deputy Commanding Officer, Finnish Jaeger Battalion in SFOR 1997–1998
  • Finnish Defence Attaché in Austria, Hungary (resident) and Ukraine 1998–2001
  • Commander, Utti Jaeger Regiment 2001–2004
  • International Visitors Programme, USA 2003
  • Head of Department and Vice President, National Defence University 2004–2007
  • National Defence Course 2006
  • High Command Course 2007
  • Royal College of Defence Studies, UK 2008
  • Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans and Policy Division, Defence Command Finland 2009–2010
  • Brigade Commander, Karelia Brigade 2011–2014
  • Generals, Flag Officers and Ambassadors Course, NATO Defence College 2012
  • Special Assignment, Defence Command Finland 2014
  • Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy 2015–2017
  • Chief of Defence Command Finland 2017–2019
  • Chief of Defence 1.8.2019–

Promotions

  • Second Lieutenant 1979
  • Lieutenant 1982
  • Senior Lieutenant 1984
  • Captain 1989
  • Major 1992
  • Lieutenant Colonel 1998
  • Colonel 2004
  • Brigadier General 2010
  • Major General 2014
  • Lieutenant General 2016
  • General 2019

Decorations

  • Cross of Liberty, 1st Class with grand star
  • Commander of the Order of the Lion of Finland
  • Medal for Military Merits
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