Arvydas Pocius
Born May 14, 1957 (1957-05-14) (age 52)
Arvydas Pocius Chief of Defense of Lithuania
Place of birth	Klaipėda
Allegiance	Lithuania
Service/branch	Army of Lithuania
Years of service	1979 - present
Rank	Major General
Commands held	Chief of Defence of Lithuania Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Commander of the Eastern Military District of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Chief of Staff of Voluntary Service of National Defence
Awards	Order of the Cross of Vytis Medal of January 13 Medal of the Founders Volunteers of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Commemorative Badge of Russian Army withdrawal from Lithuania Medal of Merit of National Defence System

Arvydas Pocius, President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaitė and Minister of Defense Rasa Juknevičienė

Major General Arvydas Pocius (born on May 14, 1957 in Klaipėda, Lithuania) is the current Chief of Defence of Lithuania. During his military career, Pocius has held various positions, including Chief of Staff of Voluntary Service of National Defence, and Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force. Pocius was Lithuanian champion of freestyle wrestling in junior, youth and adult groups.

[edit] Early years

Arvydas Pocius was born on May 14, 1957 in the city of Klaipėda, Lithuania. From his early years, Pocius became active in sports, particularly in contact sports. He earned success in freestyle wrestling, becoming Lithuanian champion in the junior, youth, and adult groups.^[1]

In 1975 Pocius graduated from Klaipėda City Secondary School and enrolled in the Military Department of the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education. During his studies, Pocius continued his interests in judo and self-defence, along side free-style wrestling. Soon he was named Master of Sport of the USSR in judo and free-style wrestling. Pocius continued his studies for four years and, in 1979, successfully graduated.

After finishing at the Academy he worked as a coach of wrestling and judo.^[1]

[edit] Military carrier

In 1979, Pocius completed courses for reserve officers and attained the rank of reserve lieutenant in the Soviet Army, becoming a Soviet Army motorized infantry platoon leader. In 1988, he joined activities of Sąjūdis, a pro-independence movement in Lithuania. He guarded the activists and ensured public safety during numerous demonstrations. On 1990, during Lithuania's Independence movement, Pocius renounced his oath to Soviet Army.

In 1991, he joined the Voluntary Service of National Defence, becoming its Chief of Staff and attaining rank of major. Later he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Between 1996 and 1997, Pocius continued his education in the Bundeswehr Academy in Germany. After graduation Pocius commanded the National Defence Volunteer Service and was promoted to colonel. In 2002, Pocius became the Commander of the Eastern Military District of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, as well as improving his skills in the NATO Defence College. From 2003 to 2004, Pocius continued to improve his skills at the U.S. Army War College, taking courses in strategic studies. In June 2004, Pocius, promoted to Brigadier General, became Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force.^[2]

In 2007, Pocius earned his Master's Degree from the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University and was appointed as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff of the Joint Education and Training Sub-Division at the Allied Command Transformation military command. On July 23, 2009 he became Chief of Defence of Lithuania.^[2]

[edit] References

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