After graduating from the Military College in Vyškov in 1983, he began his career in the airborne forces. At the age of 21, he applied for membership in the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia and was a member from 1985 to 1989. In 1988, before starting his postgraduate course, he joined the Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff.
Following the Velvet Revolution, he served as Deputy Military and Air Attaché of the Czech Republic in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. He later took part in the UNPROFOR mission in the former Yugoslavia. During a difficult conflict, the unit he commanded successfully rescued a group of 53 surrounded French soldiers, an operation that received significant international recognition. He subsequently returned to international service on behalf of the Czech Republic.
The pinnacle of his military career came in 2012 when he was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, followed in 2015 by his election as Chair of the NATO Military Committee, the Alliance’s highest military authority.
During his service, he received numerous high-ranking Czech and international honours and awards.
After leaving active military service, he founded the Stronger Together initiative during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, providing support to frontline workers.
On 6 September 2022, he officially announced his candidacy for President of the Czech Republic. As an independent candidate, he was subsequently supported by more than 80,000 Czech citizens.
On 28 January 2023, he was elected President of the Czech Republic in a direct election.
In his free time, he enjoys riding motorcycles, hiking in the mountains, travelling, and spending time at his cottage with his wife and grandchildren.