Brigadier General Peter Zakrajšek
Biography
Brigadier General Peter Zakrajšek was born on 25 June 1965 in Ljubljana. In 1991, he voluntarily took part in the War for Slovenia as platoon commander. In 2020, he was promoted to the rank of brigadier general.
Education
- 1992 Faculty of Social Sciences – BA in Defence Studies
- 2003 Faculty of Social Sciences – Specialization in Defence Studies
- 2009 Pedagogical and Andragogical Education for Teachers at Vocational Colleges
- 2013 Master of Science in National Security Strategy (USA)
Military Training and Military Professional Courses
- 1984 General Military High School in Ljubljana
- 1990 Final traineeship for reserve officers in units of the former Yugoslav People’s Army units
- 1994–1995 Infantry Advanced Officer Course, Airborne Course, Ranger Course, USA
- 1995 UN Military Observer Course, Finland
- 1999–2000 Army Command and General Staff College, USA
- 2005 NATO CREVAL Course, Oberammergau, Germany
- 2007 Observer/Controller Course, Hohenfels, Germany
- 2008 Senior Officer Leadership Course
- 2012–2013 National War College (NDU), USA
- 2013 Cyber Security Leadership Program (NDU), USA
Military Career
Brigadier General Zakrajšek has been a member of the Slovenian Armed Forces since 1992. In 1994, he was the first Slovenian officer to be deployed to the USA for a one-year leadership training for infantry. Until then, he had carried out various staff positions at the Republic Headquarters of the Territorial Defence. Having completed his training, he dedicated himself to the activities of the Slovenian Armed Forces within the NATO Partnership for Peace. In 1996, he led the establishment of the 10th International Cooperation Battalion and spent a month acquiring experience as a FINBAT guest in the UNIFIL mission.
- 1996–1998 ALBA 97 and Deputy Commander of the 1st MORiS Special Brigade
- 1998–1999 Special operations assistant (GS SAF)
- 2000–2001 Commander of the 10th Battalion for International Cooperation
- 2002–2003 Deputy Commander of the 10th Motorised Battalion
- 2003–2004 SFOR and ISAF
- 2004–2005 Development assistant at the Doctrine and Development Centre (TRADOC)
- 2005–2006 Deputy Commander of the Training Centre (TRADOC)
- 2006–2008 Commander of the Combat Training Centre (TRADOC)
- 2008–2009 KFOR and senior officer, division chief, teacher (TRADOC)
- 2009–2010 Chief of Operations Division (G 3/5/7) at the SAF Force Command and Commander of the SAF Command Centre
- 2011 Head of Section at the National Defence Chair (TRADOC)
- 2012 Deputy Commandant of the Doctrine and Development Centre (TRADOC)
- 2013–2017 National Military Representative to SHAPE and Deputy Commander of the Slovenian Armed Forces International Peacetime Establishment (Belgium – MONS)
- 2017–2018 Deputy Commandant of the Doctrine and Development Centre (TRADOC)
- 2018–2020 Commander of the 72th Brigade of the SAF
- 2021- Military Schools Centre Commandant
International Duties
- 1997 Staff Officer, C-3 ALBA HQ, Albania
- 2003 Deputy Battalion Commander and Commander of Slovenian MNBG SFOR Contingent, Bosnia in Herzegovina
- 2004 Commander of Slovenian ISAF 1 Contingent , Afghanistan
- 2008 Commander MNTF GROF (HUN, ITA, SVN) KFOR, Kosovo
- 2013–2017 National Military Representative to SHAPE and Deputy Commander of SAF International Peacetime Establishment, Belgium
Awards and Decorations - SAF
- Silver Order of Merit (No. 5)
- Commemorative Badge "Defended the Homeland"
- General Franc Rozman Stane Medal
- Silver Medal of the Slovenian Armed Forces
- Bronze Medal of the Slovenian Armed Forces
- Silver Medal of the Military Schools Centre
- Bronze Sword of the Force Command
- Gold Badge of the 1st Brigade
- Gold Medal of the 72nd Brigade
- Silver Badge of the 1st Special Brigade MORiS
- Silver Badge of the 1st Brigade
- Bronze Badge of the 1st Special Brigade MORiS
- Silver Badge of the 10th Motorized Battalion
- Bronze Badge of the 10th Motorized Battalion
- Combat Training Centre Plaque
- Training Centre Plaque
- Commemorative Badge of the Union of Veterans of the War for Slovenia (10th Anniversary of the War for Slovenia)
- In the Service of Peace Medal (No. 4)
Awards and Decorations - foreign armed forces
- NATO Non-Article V Medal (Afghanistan, Balkans)
- Minessota National Guard Commendation Ribbon with pendant
- Hungarian Medal of Cooperation
- Italian Medal of Peace Operations
- Ranger badge
- U.S. Jump Wings
Family and areas of interest
Brigadier General Zakrajšek is an active recreational athlete enjoying ice- and roller hockey. He has five children and two grandchildren. He lives in Maribor with his wife Sandra and their three children.