23 Facts About Michael Claesson

Michael Claesson was born on 1 March 1965 and is a Swedish Army officer.

Michael Claesson currently serves as the Chief of Defence since 1 October 2024.

Michael Claesson was born on 1 March 1965 in Jonkoping and grew up in Bankeryd, where he lived until he commenced his military service in 1984.

Michael Claesson did his military service as a tank commander operating Stridsvagn 103 tank in the 3rd Tank Company in the Norrbotten Armoured Battalion in Boden from 4 June 1984 to 31 August 1985.

From 1 August 1986, Michael Claesson served as an instructor, platoon leader and battalion staff member of a tank company and an armored battalion respectively in the Scanian Dragoon Regiment in Hassleholm.

Michael Claesson did two years as a teacher at the company management course at the Swedish Armoured Troops Combat School in Skovde.

Michael Claesson was commissioned as an officer in 1987 and was promoted to second lieutenant.

Michael Claesson attended the Military Academy Karlberg's general course in Stockholm from 1988 to 1989 when he was promoted to lieutenant.

Michael Claesson attended the higher course from 1990 to 1991 when he was promoted to captain, and the Tactical Course for the Army at the Swedish National Defence College in Stockholm from 1994 to 1995.

Michael Claesson was then a student at the German Armed Forces Language Agency in Hurth, Germany from 1 February 1997 to 31 August 1997.

Michael Claesson was then the first Swedish student in Germany's national general staff training at the Bundeswehr Command and Staff College in Hamburg, Germany from 1 September 1997 to 30 September 1999.

Michael Claesson served as a teacher of tactics and operational art at the Swedish National Defence College's Operational Institution from 1 October 1999 to 30 August 2000 and he was Deputy Section Chief at KFOR HQ Operations Department in Pristina, Kosovo from 1 September 2000 to 30 April 2001.

Michael Claesson then served as a military expert at the Ministry of Defence's Unit for Security Policy and International Affairs from 1 November 2002 to 30 April 2003 and as commander and head of and training of Norrbotten Armoured Battalion in Norrbotten Regiment in Boden from 1 May 2003 to 28 February 2005.

Michael Claesson was then back at the Ministry of Defence's Unit for Security Policy and International Affairs, serving from 1 March 2005 to 31 July 2005.

Michael Claesson served as a military adviser and assistant military representative to Sweden's delegation to NATO at the NATO headquarters in Brussels and was accredited to Sweden's Permanent Representation to the EU from 1 August 2005 to 31 August 2007, then from 1 September 2007 to 31 August 2009.

Michael Claesson served as exercise director with responsibility for the Army's final exercises in 2010 and the training series for Nordic Battlegroup 11 and as commanding officer of the Land Warfare Centre in Skovde from 1 September 2009 to 30 November 2010 and then from 1 December 2010 to 30 April 2012.

Michael Claesson was commanding officer of the 24th Swedish contingent of the International Security Assistance Force as well as tactical commander of the multinational Task Force Northern Lights, Regional Command North of ISAF in Afghanistan from 1 May 2012 to 23 June 2013.

Michael Claesson was then Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans Department in the Defence Staff at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters from 1 March 2015 to 30 September 2018.

Michael Claesson was promoted to major general and appointed Chief of Policy and Plans Department in the Defence Staff on 1 October 2018.

On 25 June 2020, Michael Claesson was appointed Chief of Joint Operations, succeeding Vice Admiral Jan Thornqvist.

Michael Claesson was promoted to lieutenant general on the same date.

Also on 10 September 2020, Michael Claesson assumed the position of Commandant General in Stockholm.

On 7 June 2024, Michael Claesson was appointed general and Chief of Defence, and took office on 1 October 2024 after a formal handover ceremony at Karlberg Palace.