Education

He is a graduate of the Military Academy of the Armored Forces in Poznań (1970–1974). He also received military education at Military Armoured Forces Academy in Moscow (1980–1982), Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia (1990–1992) and Industrial College of the Armed Forces at the National Defense University in Washington (1999–2000).^[1]

Military career

Cieniuch began his military career in Polish People's Army as a platoon leader with the 60th Armoured Regiment in Elbląg (16th Armoured Division). Later he became company commander and chief of staff within the aforementioned unit. Later between the years 1985-1988 he served as the commander of the 68th Medium Armour Regiment.^[2] In 1992 he was appointed chief of operational division of Pomeranian Military District. Between 1996 and 1998 he served as the commander of the 8th Coastal Defence Division.

Since 1998 he performed his duties at General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces. On 15 August 2001 he was promoted to divisional general^[3] Two years later he received promotion to the rank of general of the branch^[4] For a short period of time he served as Acting Chief of the General Staff. In 2006 Cieniuch became Poland’s military representative to the military committees of North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the European Union. Since 2019 he became the advisor of Minister of National Defence Bogdan Klich.

On 7 May 2010 he was appointed by Polish President Bronisław Komorowski as Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces^[5] (replacing Franciszek Gągor who died in Polish Air Force Flight 101 crash in Smolensk, Russia). On 15 August of the same year, he was promoted to the rank of General.

After retirement form active service, Mieczysław Cieniuch was appointed Poland’s ambassador to Turkey (2013–2016).^[6]

Personal life

Married to Danuta. The couple have one son.