Jan Swillens Explained

Honorific Prefix:Lieutenant general
Jan Swillens
Office:Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army
Term Start:8 March 2024
Predecessor:Martin Wijnen
Birth Date:20 August 1967
Birth Place:Nijkerk, Netherlands
Allegiance:Netherlands
Rank: Lieutenant general
Unit:Korps Commandotroepen

Lieutenant general Jan Renger (Jan) Swillens (20 August 1967) is a Royal Netherlands Army officer and Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army since 2024.[1] [2]

Military career

Swillens started his military career in 1985 as a infantry cadet at the Koninklijke Militaire Academie (KMA), after graduating from the KMA, Swillens enlisted in the Korps Commandotroepen (KCT), after earning his green baret, Swillens was appointed as peletoncommandant at the KCT.

in 2012 Swillens was appointed Commandant of the Korps Commandotroepen (KCT), focusing on improving relations of the commandos in the media.[3]

in 2016 Swillens was appointed Commandant of the 43rd Mechanized Brigade[4]

in 2019 Swillens was appointed Director of the Dutch Military Intelligence and Security Service and subsequently promoted to Major general[5]

in 2024 Swillens succeeded Martin Wijnen as Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army

Notes and References

  1. https://www.defensie.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/12/04/generaal-swillens-gaat-landmacht-leiden Generaal Swillens gaat landmacht leiden, 04 December2023
  2. Web site: Jan Swillens nieuwe Commandant Landstrijdkrachten (in Dutch) . nos.nl . 2 January 2024.
  3. Web site: 7 July 2012 . Commandowissel bij Korps CommandoTroepen . 2024-06-14 .
  4. Web site: Commandant Swillens 43 . 2024-06-14 .
  5. Web site: MIVD-directeur wil realtime Wiv-toezicht in plaats van vooraf . 2024-06-14 . Tweakers . NL.