Nicolae-Ionel CIUCA was born on 7th Feb 1967, in Plenița, Dolj county, Romania.

He graduated from Tudor Vladimirescu Military Highschool in 1985, and Nicolae Bălcescu Land Forces Academy in 1988.

His education and training were closely connected to his appointments as he subsequently achieved various positions from platoon leader to battalion and brigade commander in 2011. During this period, he participated in different operations and missions, both national and international, such as: UNAVEM III Angola in 1996 as a staff officer, Enduring Freedom Afghanistan (2002-2003) and Antica Babilonia Iraq (2004) as Battalion Commander.

During 1993–1995, he graduated from the National Defense University in Bucharest, and in 2003 he achieved the PhD in Military Science.

In 2011 he was appointed Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, and three years later, in January 2014 he took over the command of the Romanian Land Forces Staff. In October 2014 he was appointed Deputy Chief of Defense Staff. Since January 2015 until October 2019 he successfully accomplished the most demanding position within the Romanian Armed Forces, Chief of Defense Staff.

During his entire career, Minister Ciuca attended various courses, and the most relevant ones are: Instructor for Peacekeeping operations Course in Turkey, Joint and multinational operations Course, Civil-Military Cooperation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia Course, Florida/USA, US War College in 2006.

Besides his education and training, he took part in many exercises, national and multinational: Blue Danube 2000, Dynamic Response Kosovo, ISAF 2003, and Eurasian Star 2010 in Turkey.

He was awarded The National Order for Merit in the rank of Officer, The National Order for Merit in the rank of Knight, UN Medal for participating in UNAVEM III Mission, The National Order for Merit of the French Republic, in the rank of Commander, The US Medal of Merit, The Medal of Honor of the Special Operation Forces of the USA.

He speaks English, he is married and he has a son.

Participating in session:

From the Baltic to the Black Sea: Security on NATO’s Frontlines