## Who Are They **Egils Leščinskis** was born on July 18, 1967. In 1991, he joined the National Guard, and since 1992, he has served in the National Armed Forces. By profession, he is a radio engineer — he studied at the Riga Technical University. In 2004, he fought in Iraq, where he worked in the field of demining and explosive ordnance disposal. From 2015 to 2018, he was the military representative of Latvia at the NATO Allied Command Operations in Europe. From 2011 to 2015, Leščinskis headed the Training Command and simultaneously served as the rector of the National Defense Academy of Latvia. From 2019 to 2023, he commanded the National Guard. He then became the Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces for Operational Issues and the Chief of the Land Component. Since June 17, 2026, Leščinskis has been the head of the Baltic Defense College in Tartu. He has a long-standing connection with this educational institution: he studied there, later taught at the college from 2006 to 2008, and now has become its commandant. **Gunars Kauliņš** began his military career in 1992. He received his military education at the National Defense Academy of Latvia and the Baltic Defense College. Kauliņš served in the National Guard headquarters, the 22nd Infantry Battalion of the National Guard, the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces, and the Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Land Forces. In particular, he commanded the Combat Support Battalion of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade, and since June 2021, he has commanded the 2nd Vidzeme Brigade of the National Guard. Kauliņš participated in NATO operations in Afghanistan, worked as the national military representative of Latvia at NATO headquarters, and served as a military attaché in Northern European countries. Since August 1, 2026, Kauliņš has taken the position of Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the National Armed Forces for Operational Issues and Chief of the Land Component. In this position, he replaced Egils Leščinskis, who left to lead the Baltic Defense College. ## A Message from the President "I am absolutely confident that your knowledge and experience in performing your duties will contribute to strengthening and developing our National Armed Forces. I wish you to continue your development, constantly learn — both from our allies and from your own experience, from the experience of Ukraine, and also to not be afraid to share your knowledge with colleagues, subordinates, and comrades. Military affairs do not stand still — new technologies and new challenges arise, and we must be able to respond to them," stated the President of Latvia in his speech.
