Marek Sokołowski
Lieutenant General of the Polish Armed Forces
He began his professional military service in 1992 in the 10th Airborne Battalion (6th Airborne Brigade in Krakow) as a platoon commander for assault troops, and later as a reconnaissance platoon commander.
From 1993 to 1995, he participated twice in the Polish Military Contingent UN in Syria. From 1996, he served in the 25th Air Cavalry Division (later reorganized into the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade – 25th ACB) as a company commander. After completing a course at the National Defense Academy in Warsaw, he was appointed as the brigade’s senior reconnaissance officer, then as the chief of staff in the military aviation battalion, battalion commander, and brigade training chief.
After completing his studies in operational-strategic planning, from July 2007 to August 2008, he served as the Deputy Commander of the 25th ACB. During this time, for 8 months, he was also temporarily appointed as the Brigade Commander. Also during this period between 2007 and 2008, he completed studies in public security management at the Institute of Management in Warsaw, an intensive English language course at Fort Borden in Canada, and received training in counter-terrorism at the Counter-Terrorism Center in Turkey.
After completing studies in defense policy at the National Defense Academy in Warsaw, he was appointed as the Deputy Commander of the 25th ACB on July 1, 2009, and then on November 2, 2010, he was appointed as the commander of the Brigade. On August 11, 2011, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.
While participating in the Polish Military Contingent in the Republic of Iraq, he served as the Commander of the Assault Reserve for the Multinational Division Headquarters. During the V rotation in 2005/2006, he served as the Commander of the Individual Assault Group. He was awarded numerous state and military decorations for distinguished service, including the Cross of Valor, awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland.
In 1992, he graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw and became a judo instructor with a second-degree black belt. He also completed a diving course and is a paratrooper with 150 jumps. In 2008, he graduated from the Academy of Physical Education in Poznań, becoming an instructor in motor response with a specialization in self-defense. In the same year, at the Land Forces Training Center in Poznań, he completed a close combat course and training in close combat with weapons in mobile and urban areas.
From December 2011 to June 2012, he served as the Deputy Commander of the Eastern Region for the Coalition (Bagram). In 2013, he was the commander of the 13th rotation of the Polish Military Contingent (PKW) in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
After completing the 13th rotation, he was awarded the Military Cross and the Commander’s Cross of the Order of the Military Cross, Second Class, for courage in the fight against terrorism. He was also awarded three high American decorations: the Bronze Star for bravery in combat, the Legion of Merit, Commander’s Degree, and the Legion of Merit, Officer’s Degree, which are awarded to foreigners for their merits in times of peace and war.
The Higher Command appointed him as the Deputy Commander of the 16th Mechanized Division in Elbląg. On May 2, 2016, he was appointed as the Commander of the 16th Pomeranian Mechanized Division in Elbląg. On June 22, 2019, he was appointed as the Inspector of Training at the General Command of the Armed Forces. On November 5, 2021, he was appointed as the First Deputy Commander of the General Command of the Armed Forces.