General Rajko Pesic

General Rajko Pesic was born on April 14 1973 in Bijelo Polje, Montenegro, where he finished primary school. After that, he finished Military High School in Belgrade, from 1989 to 1991 and then was the outstanding graduate of the Belgrade Military Academy as an officer of armored units in the period 1991-1995.

After completing his Course for Armored Battalion Commanders in 2004, general Pesic attended Multinational staff officer’s course in May 2006, Tactical English course in June 2007 and is a graduate of the United States Army War College 2011-2012.

He began his military career in 1995 at Podgorica Corps as a tank platoon leader of the armored battalion of the 5th motorized brigade in 1995. In 25 July of the same year, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant. He served on this position until 2000 and he was subsequently promoted to Lieutenant on 25 July 1998. From 2000 to 2003, he served as a tank company commander of the armored battalion of the 5th motorized brigade, Podgorica Corps. During this period, he was promoted to Captain on 25 April 2001 and Captain 1st class on 31 December 2003 and posted to armored battalion deputy commander of the 5th motorized brigade, Podgorica Corps. The following two years, he was posted to the Podgorica Corps Training Center as an officer for training planning.

In 2006, he was posted to Training Department (J-7), General Staff, Armed Forces of Montenegro as an officer for education and in July 2007, he assumed duty as an officer in Section for Military to Military Cooperation of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Montenegro.

He continued his upward path and he was appointed as the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council performing the duty from November 2007 to August 2008. Also, he was promoted to major on 15 August 2007.

On 18 June 2008, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and from August 2008 to June 2011, general Pesic had the assignment as a Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché of Montenegro to the United States of America.

Having returned to the country, he assumed duty as a Military Advisor to the Minister of Defense in August 2012. General Pesic was promoted to colonel rank on 5th December 2012. He occupied the advisory position until April 2015 when he became Deputy Chief of the General Staff until March 31st 2017. From that time until March 31st 2020 he performed duty of Military Representative of Montenegro to NATO and EU, and from April 1st 2020 until February 01st 2024 Defence Policy Director, Ministry of Defence.

General Pesic was promoted to his current rank on 1st july 2020.

He was awarded the U.S. medal Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer).

General Pesic has interest in reading, music and sports. He is not married and lives in Podgorica.