Modern Day Marine Panelists: Partnership in the Littorals
Modern Day Marine: Partnership in the Littorals Panel
Topic:
How can allies and partners advance common military interests and achieve shared security objectives, with a focus on expeditionary operations in contested littorals?
Schedule
1000: Introductory remarks (BGen Salene)
1010-1050: Each panelist will have 5 minutes to present their country and service views on the topic, addressing what they view as most important.
1050-1120: Moderator-led discussion
1120-1130: Questions from the audience
Director, Strategy and Plans Division, Department of Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps
Brigadier General Sean M. Salene
Director, Strategy and Plans Division, Department of Plans, Policies, and Operations, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps
Brigadier General Sean M. Salene
BGen Salene began active duty in 1991 and graduated flight school on the Commodore’s List with Distinction in 1994. He joined HMH-461 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS)New River and deployed twice with Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), supporting operations in the Balkans and Africa. In 1998, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School as the Marine Corps’ first study track sub-Saharan Africa Regional Affairs Officer. He planned and conducted African Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) activities for Marine Forces Europe and worked with interagency, Navy and African partners on a new, cross-sector approach. He returned to HMH-461 in 2002 and deployed twice for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) Horn of Africa.
BGen Salene began active duty in 1991 and graduated flight school on the Commodore’s List with Distinction in 1994. He joined HMH-461 at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS)New River and deployed twice with Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), supporting operations in the Balkans and Africa. In 1998, he attended the Naval Postgraduate School as the Marine Corps’ first study track sub-Saharan Africa Regional Affairs Officer. He planned and conducted African Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) activities for Marine Forces Europe and worked with interagency, Navy and African partners on a new, cross-sector approach. He returned to HMH-461 in 2002 and deployed twice for Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) Horn of Africa.
In 2005, he attended Command and Staff College, graduating with honors. He attended the School of Advanced Warfighting and became a speechwriter for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. In 2008, he deployed for Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and led a cross-functional planning team for the Commanding General, Multi-National Force Iraq. In Baghdad, he became a lay minister for an Anglican priest who also led an Iraqi congregation.
In 2009, he took command of HMH-461. He led his team on three deployments: to Ghana for Presidential support; to the Caribbean as the commander of a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), with an infantry company and enablers attached to support TSC and interagency counter illicit trafficking operations; and, with 96-hours’ notice, to Haiti as the 22d MEU Aviation Combat Element for Operation UNIFIED RESPONSE in 2010. After relinquishing command, he deployed with II Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) FWD to Afghanistan. He was the lead architect for the Regional Combined Team Plan, the first long-range plan signed by U.S., British and Afghan civil and military leaders in Helmand and Nimroz provinces. BGen Salene attended the Marine Corps War College, graduating with honors. He presented his thesis work in Beijing and was selected to support a Commandant of the Marine Corps initiative on amphibious messaging. In 2012, he joined USCENTCOM and led a team to work with Joint, interagency and international partners to create Operation FREEDOM’s SENTINEL, the post-2014 mission in Afghanistan. He traveled to Washington, Kabul, Brussels, Mons, Berlin, London and Moscow, culminating in Secretary of Defense approval of his team’s plan. He returned to MCAS New River to command MAG-29 in 2015. His team supported the 2d Marine Expeditionary Brigade in 29 Palms, flew north of the Arctic Circle in Norway in COLD RESPONSE 2016 and led the command element for Marine Week Nashville. He left MAG-29 early to take command of the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force Crisis Response Africa 17.2 and deploy on short notice. Based in Spain and Italy, his team conducted activities in North, West and Central Africa, in addition to instituting a new model to sustain readiness and build capacity with NATO partners. Following deployment, he became the II MEF G-3 where he helped the MEF reorient from being a force provider to a warfighter.
In 2018, he was forward-stationed as the Assistant Wing Commander with 1st Marine Air Wing. He supported his Commanding General’s warfighting focus, worked with partners in the Naval Aviation Enterprise to increase aviation readiness, led the staff exercise portion of COBRA GOLD 19 in Thailand with multi-national partners, built relationships with Japanese Allies to seek win/win training opportunities, supported the CH-53E RESET site in Korea and led a cross-functional team to develop and implement a proactive, data-informed approach to reduce suicide-related behavior. In July 2019, he became the Director, HQMC Office of Communication. BGen Salene holds five masters degrees. He is married to Dr. Kimberly Salene of Queensbury New York, a Navy veteran. His hobbies are reading, exercising and playing with his two children.
Panelists
Commander Marine Forces Reserve Marine Forces South
Lieutenant General David G. Bellon
Commander Marine Forces Reserve Marine Forces South
Lieutenant General David G. Bellon
Lieutenant General Bellon was born in Fort Polk, Louisiana, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1987 and the University of Missouri School of Law in 1990. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1989. Bellon began service as an Infantry Officer with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. He then served as a Judge Advocate with 1st Force Service Support Group.
Lieutenant General Bellon was born in Fort Polk, Louisiana, and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1987 and the University of Missouri School of Law in 1990. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1989. Bellon began service as an Infantry Officer with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. He then served as a Judge Advocate with 1st Force Service Support Group.
In 1997, he left active duty and joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve serving six years with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion in a variety of positions. As a civilian, Bellon founded his own law firm in 1999 located a civilian, Bellon founded his own law firm in 1999 located in Oceanside, CA.
After 9/11, he returned to active duty for four combat tours in support of both OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF). During OIF I, he served as Operations Officer for 4th LAR with both TASK FORCE TARAWA and TASK FORCE SCORPION. During OIF II, Bellon served as the Intelligence Officer for Regimental Combat Team 1 during its 14 month deployment in and around the City of Al Fallujah, Iraq, participating in both battles for the city. His third OIF tour was in Command of Battalion Task Force 3d Battalion, 23d Marine Regiment, in 2007-2008. The Task Force executed counter-insurgency operations in and around the city of Al Haditha, Iraq.
In 2008, Bellon was selected as the Marine Corps Reserves representative in a full-time student status attending Top Level School at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. While there, he was promoted to Colonel and received subsequent orders for deployment in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Bellon deployed to Afghanistan in September 2009 with the British 6th Division. While in Afghanistan, he served as the Chief of Operations for Southern Afghanistan during NATO’s 2010 surge of forces to secure the strategically vital area in and around Kandahar City.
Bellon was promoted to Brigadier General in 2013. His assignments as a General Officer prior to his current billet include Deputy Commander (Mobilization) 1st Marine Expeditionary Force; Deputy Marine Forces Command; Director Reserve Affairs; Commander Marine Forces South; and Director of Strategy, Policy, and Plans (J5) U.S. Southern Command. He was promoted to his current rank and assumed duties as Commander, Marine Forces Reserve and Marine Forces North on 4 September 2019.
Director of Force Structure – Future Land Warfare Branch, Army Headquarters
Colonel Giles J.S. Cornelia, DSM, CSM
Director of Force Structure – Future Land Warfare Branch, Army Headquarters
Colonel Giles J.S. Cornelia, DSM, CSM
Sydney and University College, University of New South Wales. He is a distinguished graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy Class of 1998, and was allocated to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps upon graduation from the Royal Military College in December 1999.
Colonel Giles Cornelia, Australian Army, was educated at Hurlstone Agricultural High School in Sydney and University College, University of New South Wales. He is a distinguished graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy Class of 1998, and was allocated to the Royal Australian Infantry Corps upon graduation from the Royal Military College in December 1999.
Colonel Cornelia has had the privilege of command, and operational deployment, at every junior and field officer rank. He served regimentally with 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (Parachute) in Holsworthy, Sydney, as a rifle platoon commander, heavy weapons platoon commander, assistant adjutant, rifle company second-in-command, adjutant, rifle company commander and operations officer. Over 2009-10 he was ‘online’ as the Officer Commanding Ready/Airborne Combat Team and then as Operations Officer of the Ready Battle Group. Colonel Cornelia commanded 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, based in Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, from August 2015 – December 2017, and the Training Task Unit-V in Iraq (as part of Task Group Taji-V) on Operation Okra from June to December 2017.
Colonel Cornelia has experience in training appointments and numerous staff roles at the functional command and Army level. As an instructor at Royal Military College – Duntroon in 2005-06 he instructed within II and III Class, and raised the first Bridges (preliminary officer training) Company within the College since 1992. His staff appointments include: Staff Officer Grade Three Plans in Headquarters, Royal Military College; Aide-de-Camp to Commander 1st Division; Chief of Plans (CJ5) in Headquarters Combined Team Uruzgan; Career Advisor Infantry and later Career Advisor LTCOL A, in the Directorate of Officer Career Management – Army; Staff Officer Grade One The Army Plan, Army Headquarters and Division Chief of the Coalition Strategy Division, U.S. Joint Staff, J-5, Deputy Directorate of Global Integration. He assumed his current role in Army Headquarters as Director Force Structure – Army, Future Land Warfare Branch, in January 2022.
Colonel Cornelia’s operational experience includes service as a platoon commander with International Force East Timor in 2000 and United Nations Transitional Authority East Timor in 2002; with International Stabilisation Force in 2008 as Adjutant Timor Leste Battle Group – 4; as a combined brigade-level Plans Chief within Regional Command-South, Afghanistan in 2011; and as Commanding Officer of the Australian/New Zealand Training Task Unit in Iraq in 2017. He led an inter-agency planning team in Papua New Guinea, and was the Senior Observer Trainer for 1st Battalion, 1st Marines on Exercise Hamel, in 2016. Colonel Cornelia has also conducted combined training in Thailand (2001), and exchange programmes to India (2005) and the U.S. (2012).
Colonel Cornelia’s awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, for distinguished leadership on Operation Okra; the Conspicuous Service Medal, for service as Officer Commanding Bridges Company and as an instructor at the Royal Military College; the U.S. Legion of Merit – degree of Legionnaire, as a embedded U.S. Joint Staff Division Chief in the Pentagon; and the U.S. Army Commendation Medal and a ADF Gold Commendation for service with Combined Team Uruzgan on Operation Slipper. He holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History/Politics and a Graduate Diploma of Arts in War Studies from the University of New South Wales, and a Master of Military Studies, with Merit, from the Australian National University. In 2007 Colonel Cornelia was the Infantry Student of Merit of his Combat Officer Advanced Course. He has also twice won the best article prize in the Australian Defence Force Journal, for papers on joint entry operations and counterinsurgency doctrine. Colonel Cornelia was awarded the Governor-General (honour graduate), the Secretary of Defence, the Chief of Army, and the Chief of Joint Operations Prizes on graduation from the Australian Command and Staff College in 2012.
Colonel Cornelia is married to Heidi, a veterinarian, and they have two daughters. His interests include military history, running, Big Green Egg barbequing and travel adventures with his family.
Naval Attaché – Embassy of Colombia Headquarters
CAPT Antonio Espitia Porras
Naval Attaché – Embassy of Colombia Headquarters
CAPT Antonio Espitia Porras
He was born on October 5, 1975 in San Pelayo (Córdoba). He joined to Naval School of Cadets “Admiral Padilla” in 1992, graduating as Lieutenant Junior Grade in 1995. He has occupied the first positions of his promotion in follows courses: Induction courses for Lieutenants of the Caribbean Surface School, Basic Intelligence Course of the Naval Intelligence School, and Professional Complementation in the Electronic Specialty of the Naval School of Cadets “Admiral Padilla”.
He was born on October 5, 1975 in San Pelayo (Córdoba). He joined to Naval School of Cadets “Admiral Padilla” in 1992, graduating as Lieutenant Junior Grade in 1995. He has occupied the first positions of his promotion in follows courses: Induction courses for Lieutenants of the Caribbean Surface School, Basic Intelligence Course of the Naval Intelligence School, and Professional Complementation in the Electronic Specialty of the Naval School of Cadets “Admiral Padilla”. He is a professional in Naval Electronic Engineering and Naval Sciences, Specialist in Strategy and Maritime Security of the Naval School of Cadets “Admiral Padilla”, Specialist in Security and National Defense of the School of War Military Forces, Specialist in Electronics of the School “Antonio de Escaño” of the Royal Spanish Navy and Master’s Degree in Human Management and Organizational Development from the Externado University of Colombia. During his career he has held the position of Commander in the following units: ARC Patrol Boat “Teniente Carlos Galindo”, ARC Patrol Boat “Tony Pastrana”, Naval Station of Tierrabomba, Santa Marta Coast Guard Station and ARC “Nariño” Corvette. In the Headquarters of the Naval General Staff, he hold the positions of Director of Human Management and Director of Naval and Maritime Operations. He has been recognized with national and foreign decorations, among which stand out the Order of Military Merit “Antonio Nariño” in the Grand Officer category, Order of Naval Merit “Almirante Padilla” in the Grand Officer category, Francisco José de Caldas Military Medal, Military Medals “Faith in the Cause” from the General Command of the Military Forces and the National Navy, Distinguished Service Medals for the Surface Force, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard Corps and the Naval Aviation. He is married to Mrs. Fiorella Pérez Vides, from whose union Danna Gabriela and Fiorella were born.
Military Attaché to the U.S. and Canada
Colonel Yusuke Kawachi
Military Attaché to the U.S. and Canada
Colonel Yusuke Kawachi
Colonel Yusuke Kawachi serves as the Military Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in the United States, simultaneously accredited to Canada. He has made his career as a field artillery officer in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) with 19 years of service. Recently, he served as the Chief Bilateral Operation Coordinator at the Bilateral Coordination Department, the Ground Component Command Headquarters, Camp Zama, Kanagawa.
Colonel Yusuke Kawachi serves as the Military Attaché at the Embassy of Japan in the United States, simultaneously accredited to Canada. He has made his career as a field artillery officer in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) with 19 years of service. Recently, he served as the Chief Bilateral Operation Coordinator at the Bilateral Coordination Department, the Ground Component Command Headquarters, Camp Zama, Kanagawa.
Born in Kyoto in 1978, Yusuke Kawachi graduated from the University of Tokyo in 2003 with a Master of Arts degree. Kawachi was commissioned as a First Lieutenant of Field Artillery upon graduation from the JGSDF Officer Candidate School in 2004. His initial assignment was with 1st Battery, 12th Artillery (FH 70, towed 155mm howitzer), 12th Brigade, Camp Utsunomiya, Tochigi, where he served as a Forward Observer, Fire Platoon Leader, and Battery Executive Officer. When he was the Platoon Leader, he was deployed to Samawah, Iraq in 2006 as a member of 10th contingent of Japan Iraqi Reconstruction Support Group. His next assignment was in the Training Division, G-3, the Eastern Army Headquarters, Camp Asaka, Tokyo, where he served as a Training Officer in charge of Exercise Yama Sakura 55, Japan-US bilateral command post exercise at a regional army level. During this assignment, he attended the Captain Career Course at the United States Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, OK, from 2008 to 2009.
Kawachi then attended the Command and General Staff Course at the JGSDF Staff College, Camp Meguro, Tokyo. When the Great East Japan Earthquake hit the Tohoku Region in March 2011, he was one of those student officers who were deployed to the affected areas as augmenting staff officers. Upon graduation from the Staff College, he com- manded 4th Battery, 4th Surface-to-Ship Missile Regiment (Type 88 SSM), Northeastern Army Artillery, Camp Hachinohe, Aomori, from 2011 to 2012.
From 2013 to 2016, Kawachi served as a staff officer at the Defense Policy and Program Division (G-5), the Ground Staff Office, the Japan Ministry of Defense in Tokyo. First, he served as a Defense Policy Desk at the Defense Policy and Program Section, where he was involved in a JGSDF portion of the planning process of the 2013 National Defense Program Guidelines, followed by an assignment to the International Defense Cooperation and Policy Office as a planner of JGSDF defense engagements with ASEAN, Oceanian, and South American countries. He then attended the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, VA, from 2016 to 2017.
In addition to his bachelor’s degree in literature and master’s degree in arts from the University of Tokyo for his study in philosophy, Kawachi has a master’s degree in military studies from the Marine Corps University with Brigadier A.W. Hammet Writing Award, and a master’s degree in policy studies from the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies with Dean’s Award.
Head Strategy & Advice RNLN
Col Ivo Moerman
Head Strategy & Advice RNLN
Col Ivo Moerman
After completing his bachelor in mechanical engineering in 1992, Ivo Moerman (1969, The Hague) served as a conscript in the Royal Netherlands Army. In August 1994, he joined the Netherlands Marine Corps (NLMC) and upon completion of his officer training he served as an infantry platoon commander on Curaçao in the Caribbean. Upon his return to the Netherlands in 1996, he served in several operational positions including forward observation officer, forward air controller, company commander and battalion operations officer (S3). During this time, he also attended several courses, including the Allied Officer Winter Warfare Course in Norway, the Combined Arms Tactics Course and the Joint Operations Planning Course in the UK and Intermediate Defence Studies in the Netherlands.
After completing his bachelor in mechanical engineering in 1992, Ivo Moerman (1969, The Hague) served as a conscript in the Royal Netherlands Army. In August 1994, he joined the Netherlands Marine Corps (NLMC) and upon completion of his officer training he served as an infantry platoon commander on Curaçao in the Caribbean. Upon his return to the Netherlands in 1996, he served in several operational positions including forward observation officer, forward air controller, company commander and battalion operations officer (S3). During this time, he also attended several courses, including the Allied Officer Winter Warfare Course in Norway, the Combined Arms Tactics Course and the Joint Operations Planning Course in the UK and Intermediate Defence Studies in the Netherlands.
His postings with operational units took Ivo Moerman all around the world, including training exercises above the arctic circle, in the mountains of Scotland and in the desert of Twentynine Palms. In 1995, he participated in the disaster relief operation on the islands of St. Eustatius and St. Maarten during and after the passage of Hurricane Luis. In 2000, he was deployed to Kosovo (KFOR), followed by a deployment for the UN to Ethiopia and Eritrea in 2001 (United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea). In 2009-2010, he deployed to Afghanistan as the Deputy G3 for Task Force Uruzgan (ISAF).
During his career, Ivo Moerman also served at the Marine Training Centre in Rotterdam, first as the head of the Specialist Training Wing and from 2010 until 2012 he was in charge of the Marine Infantry Officer Course.
From 2004 until 2006, Ivo Moerman served as an exchange officer with the 2nd Marine Division in Camp Lejeune (United States). His postings included Assistant Operations Officer with 8th and 6th Marine Regiment. During this time, he also completed Expeditionary Warfare School and was afterwards awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal. In 2013, he completed Command and Staff College at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, followed by a two- year tour as NLMC liaison officer with Marine Corps Combat Development Command.
Royal Netherlands Navy
Upon his return to the Netherlands in 2015, Ivo Moerman was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and assumed command of 1st Marine Combat Group. In September 2017, he handed over command to his successor followed by a three year tour as a senior staff officer at the Directorate of Operational Readiness at the Defence Staff in The Hague. In April 2020 he was promoted to colonel and started his current job as the head Strategy & Advice at the Navy staff in Den Helder.
Ivo Moerman holds a Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Military Studies. He and his wife Mary-Ann have three sons, Erben (2000), Jesper (2003) and Terje (2008), and they live in Waddinxveen, Netherlands. His personal interests include CrossFit, running, telemark skiing and professional reading.
Assistant Chief of Marine Staff for Operations, MC3 of the Philippine Marine Corps
LtCol Rowan Rimas
Assistant Chief of Marine Staff for Operations, MC3 of the Philippine Marine Corps
LtCol Rowan Rimas
LTCOL ROWAN L RIMAS PN(M)(GSC) is the current Assistant Chief of Marine Staff for Operations, MC3 of the Philippine Marine Corps. After graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in March 2001, he volunteered to join the Philippine Marine Corps and took the Marine Platoon Commander’s Course at The Basic School, Marine Corps Training Center in Ternate, Cavite, Philippines.
LTCOL ROWAN L RIMAS PN(M)(GSC) is the current Assistant Chief of Marine Staff for Operations, MC3 of the Philippine Marine Corps. After graduating from the Philippine Military Academy in March 2001, he volunteered to join the Philippine Marine Corps and took the Marine Platoon Commander’s Course at The Basic School, Marine Corps Training Center in Ternate, Cavite, Philippines.
LTCOL RIMAS is a well-schooled and highly skilled Marine Officer. He is a graduate of various military schoolings both local and abroad, such as the Command and General Staff Course at the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Command and Staff College in Tokyo, Japan where he graduated with Academic Excellence and holds the honor of being the First Filipino to graduate in that institution; the Naval Command and Staff Course at the Philippine Naval Education and Training Command where he graduated Number 1; and the Philippine Naval Intelligence Officers Course where he again graduated with honors. He also attended the ASEAN Navy Young Officers Interaction Program in Brunei Darussalam and the Western Pacific Navy Symposium Exchange Program in Tokyo, Japan. LTCOL RIMAS holds a Master in Development Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management.
LTCOL RIMAS is a seasoned Officer and a combat leader who had the privilege of holding various field and staff positions in his military career such as the Commanding Officer of Marine Battalion Landing Team-10 and the Commander of Naval Task Group Fleet-Marine Cagayan based in the Northernmost province in the Philippines where he confronted Communist Terrorist Groups; the Plans and Programs Officer (MC5) of the Philippine Marine Corps where he led the publishing of the PMC Roadmap (Beachhead) 2028 and contributed in enhancing the relationship of the United States and the Philippines as a member of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board EXECOM; Operations Officer of 2nd Marine Brigade and Joint Task Force INDOMALPHI based in the Southernmost province in the Philippines where he executed the operationalization of the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement among Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines; Executive Officer of Marine Battalion Landing Team-9; Operations Officer of MBLT-2 based in Sulu; Intelligence Officer of MBLT-8 based in Basilan and Company Commander of 28th Marine Company in Central Mindanao where he encountered local terrorist and separatist groups like the Abu Sayaff and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. He was also deployed as the Operations Officer of Naval Task Group-Marawi during the early stages of the Marawi Crisis against IS-inspired militants in 2017.
His colorful military carrier was capped by several military awards and commendations, which include: the Distinguished Conduct Star- the second-highest award in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Gold Cross Medal, Distinguished Navy Cross, Silver Cross Medal, Bronze Cross Medal, Military Achievement Medals, Wounded Personnel Medal and several Military Merit Medals for Combat and Administration, among others. He was also conferred by the President of the Philippines the Order of Lapu-Lapu for his accomplishments in Marawi and was awarded the Cavalier Award for Naval Operations (the highest award given to PMA alumnus) by the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Incorporated.
LTCOL RIMAS is happily married to the former Ms. Karmela Legaspi and blessed with three children namely Raki, Kira, and Arki.
CO 1st Marine Regiment Royal Swedish Navy
Col Adam Camel
CO 1st Marine Regiment Royal Swedish Navy
Col Adam Camel
Adam Camél grew up in Hälsingland, 300 km north of the capital Stockholm. In 1994 Colonel Camél graduated from the Swedish Navy Officer Academy. During his career he has served and commanded several different positions both national and international. Col Camél has commanded anti ship missile- and rifle units within the 2nd Marine Battalion. At 1st Marine Regiment he has been Commanding Officer at the Home Guard Training Wing. He has also been a Staff Officer at Swedish Joint Forces Command, J3 Plans at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters.
Adam Camél grew up in Hälsingland, 300 km north of the capital Stockholm. In 1994 Colonel Camél graduated from the Swedish Navy Officer Academy. During his career he has served and commanded several different positions both national and international. Col Camél has commanded anti ship missile- and rifle units within the 2nd Marine Battalion. At 1st Marine Regiment he has been Commanding Officer at the Home Guard Training Wing. He has also been a Staff Officer at Swedish Joint Forces Command, J3 Plans at the Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters. In addition to above mentioned assignments, Col Camél has been a teacher at branch schools within the Royal Swedish Navy. Col Camél has served at several assignments abroad. In Afghanistan (NATO) in 2007 as the Commanding Officer at the Provincial Office Sheberghan, and in 2013 as Liaison officer for Regional Command North at IJC in Kabul. In 2018 Col Camél served as the CO of the Swedish ISR TF within the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA). Col Camél is a graduate of studies at the National Defense College Advanced Program. In January 2022 Col Camél was promoted to colonel and started his current job as Commanding Officer 1st Marine Regiment at the Royal Swedish Navy. Col Camél lives together with his partner Marie Leifsdotter and one of his two daughters in Täby, Sweden. The oldest daughter is studying in the USA.