Lieutenant Colonel Arkadiusz Skrzek

Lieutenant Colonel Skrzek commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry Branch in 2004 from the Land Forces Military Academy in Wrocław, Poland. LTC Skrzek served as an infantry platoon leader in 16th Airborne Battalion, 6th Airborne Brigade in Cracow, Poland with which he subsequently deployed as an assault platoon leader to Paktika Province, Afghanistan.

Following promotion to first lieutenant, he served as an Assistant Chief of Operations in 16th Airborne Battalion, 6th Airborne Brigade having to return to Afghanistan for his second deployment as a Battlegroup’s Chief of Operations. Subsequently he was promoted to captain and appointed the position of airborne battalion’s Chief of Operations. In that capacity he got back to Ghazni Province, Afghanistan as the Battlegroup’s Executive Officer for his third tour of duty. He then served as a rifle infantry company commander in 16th Airborne Battalion, 6th Airborne Brigade and after conclusion of his command tenure he was assigned the position of an Assistant Chief of Operations in 6th Airborne Brigade’s headquarters.

Along with his promotion to field grade rank, LTC Skrzek moved to Warsaw, Poland where he served first as Staff Officer and then Senior Staff Officer on the Army Staff at General Command of the Polish Armed Forces (GENCOM).

Following his time at the joint headquarters he came back to 6th Airborne Brigade in Kraków and assumed the position of Brigade’s Chief of Staff. In Aug 2022 he was assigned to become the first Polish LNO to HQ, Department of the Army.

His civilian education includes Master of Science in economics and postgraduate diploma in business management – both from University of Economics in Cracow, Poland. LTC Skrzek’s military awards include Meritorious Soldier of the Republic of Poland in silver (II class), The Star of Afghanistan (3 times), NATO Non-Article 5 ISAF Medal (3 times), U.S. Army Achievement Medal and U.S. Army Combat Infantryman’s Badge.

Since 2007 he is happily married to his wife, Agnieszka and a father to their son – Mateusz (b. 2009) and daughter – Alicja (b. 2012). He is a keen runner, yachtsman, tennis and basketball player with scientific knack on military history and battlefield psychology.