Jan Swillens

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.