Rear Admiral Piotr Nieć appointed Deputy Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces

Leadership reshuffle in the Polish Armed Forces

In line with the evolving operational needs of the Polish Armed Forces, the Minister of National Defence announced key senior appointments within the command structure.

• Major General Ireneusz Starzyński was appointed First Deputy Operational Commander,
• Brigadier General Grzegorz Ślusarz was appointed Commander of the Air Operations Center – Air Component Commander,
• Rear Admiral Piotr Nieć was appointed Deputy Operational Commander of the Armed Forces.

According to the Ministry’s statement, the new appointments are not only a recognition of the officers’ professional service and leadership but also a reflection of the growing responsibility for shaping Poland’s security in the years ahead.

A naval officer with international credentials

Rear Admiral Nieć is a seasoned naval officer with an extensive background in both national and allied maritime structures. He graduated from the Polish Naval Academy in Gdynia, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, and the U.S. Naval War College in Newport. He also completed postgraduate studies in Naval Command and Management at the Polish Naval Academy and Defense Policy Studies at the U.S. Naval War College.

From submarine decks to NATO operations

After earning his commission, he began his service with the 3rd Flotilla of Ships in Gdynia as a submarine weapons officer aboard ORP Wilk. In 2001, he joined the commissioning crew of the missile frigate ORP Gen. K. Pułaski as Operations Department Officer. He later served on the staff of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Squadron before returning to sea duty — first as Executive Officer aboard ORP Gen. T. Kościuszko, and in 2007 assuming command of ORP Gen. K. Pułaski.

Under his command, the frigate integrated into Standing NATO Maritime Group One (SNMG1) as Polish Military Contingent “Pułaski”, executing missions under NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean Sea.

Later, he returned to SNMG1 as Chief of Staff, taking part in both Active Endeavour and Operation Ocean Shield in the Indian Ocean – gaining operational experience across two strategic maritime theatres.

Command experience on the Baltic Sea

Upon returning to Poland, Rear Admiral Nieć served as Chief of Staff – Deputy Commander and subsequently Commander of the Surface Combatant Squadron, a unit integrating Poland’s anti-submarine and strike surface warfare capabilities.

Between 2018 and 2021, he commanded the 8th Coastal Defence Flotilla in Świnoujście – the principal formation responsible for Poland’s mine warfare and countermeasure operations within the Baltic Fleet.

He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 15 August 2019.

Strategic expertise and allied service

As Chief of the Armament Division at the Navy Inspectorate of the General Command of the Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Nieć was directly involved in defining modernization priorities and procurement strategies for the Polish Navy.

From 2022 to 2023, he served as an expert at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, focusing on deterrence theory and maritime security on NATO’s Eastern Flank.

With the establishment of the Commander Task Force BALTIC (CTF BALTIC) in 2024 — NATO’s regional maritime command responsible for coordination and operational planning in the Baltic Sea — he assumed duties as Deputy Commander. Since early 2025, CTF BALTIC has been conducting Operation Baltic Sentry, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence and defense posture across the region.

A new chapter in operational command

Rear Admiral Nieć’s appointment as Deputy Operational Commander of the Polish Armed Forces marks a natural progression in the career of an officer who combines tactical naval experience, operational command, and strategic-level NATO expertise. His leadership will play a crucial role in enhancing joint operations planning, interoperability, and the maritime dimension of Poland’s operational command structure.

This appointment underscores the growing significance of the maritime component within Poland’s national defense posture and NATO’s regional operations.