COMMANDER
Colonel loan-Tiberiu COJOCARU (Romanian Army)
He was appointed Commander of NATO Force Integration Unit Romania on December 23rd, 2022. He is an experienced and decorated officer with a military career of over 30 years, spanning from tactical to strategic roles within the Romanian Armed Forces, including international missions and extensive professional development.
Born in Râmnicu Vâlcea, Vâlcea County, he started his career at the Military Institute for Engineer, Railway and Construction “Panait Donici” in 1992, graduating as a 2nd lieutenant in 1996. His early assignments included roles as Roads Platoon Commander and Logistic Company Commander within the 184th Bridges and Roads Battalion of the 93rd Roads and Railway Brigade “Anghel Saligny”.
From 1999 to 2004, he served within the 1st Engineer Regiment “Alexandru loan Cuza”, progressing from Bridges Platoon Commander to Bridges and Roads Company Commander. During this period, he accomplished a six-month mission in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, commanding a Bridges Construction Platoon within the Romanian Military Engineering Detachment at the Stabilization Force Headquarters.
Starting from 2005, his career advanced as he was appointed Staff Officer within the Planning, Coordination and Evaluation of Education and Training Branch at the Engineers, EOD and CBRN Defence Training Centre “Panait Donici” and from 2008 as Chief of Planning, Coordination and Evaluation of Education Branch at EOD Training Base. From 2010 to 2015, he served as a Staff officer within the International cooperation in the military education domain Bureau of Human Resources Management Directorate.
He completed his master’s degree studies at the National Defence University “Carol I”, Program “Logistic Management” in 2017, after graduation was assigned as Chief of Military Engineering at the Multinational Division South-East Headquarters, and promoted in 2021 to Deputy Chief of Staff for Support in the same unit, prior to taking the command of NATO Force Integration Unit Romania.
His military education includes the Advanced Officer Course for Engineers and the Staff Officer Course for Engineers, both conducted at the Engineer and Railway Training Centre “Panait Donici”. His education also comprises postgraduate diplomas in Competitive human resources, financial and marketing Management (2007) from the Polytechnic University of Timișoara, and Defence Resources Management for specialists (2015) from the Regional Department of Defence Resources Management Studies from the National Defence University “Carol I”.
He completed numerous professional development courses in Romania and abroad including the EOD operators Course (2006), English language course for staff officers (2007), Course for neutralization of improvised explosive devices (2010), Stability, security, transition and post-conflict Course (2014), Combat Readiness Evaluation Course (2017), NATO staff officers orientation course (2018), Environmental Management for Military Forces Course (2018), and the Comprehensive Operational Planning Course (2024).
Colonel Cojocaru was rewarded with the French National Defence Medal (Médaille de la Défense Nationale), the Honour Emblem of Land Forces, the Honour Emblem of Defence Staff, the Honour Emblem of Human Resources, and the Honorary Sign “In the Service of the Country” for 15,20 and 25 years of military service and commitment.
He is married to Mariana, and they have two children, Alexandru-Gabriel and Ioana-Amalia.