Gustav Hägglund
Encyclopedia
Johan Edvin Birger Gustav Hägglund (born September 6, 1938, Viipuri) is a retired Finnish general
. He was the Chief of Defence
1994—2001, and Chairman of the European Union Military Committee
2001–2004.
Hägglund's father was General Woldemar Hägglund
, commander of the Karelian front in the Second World War. He was born in Viipuri, an area ceded to the Soviet Union in the Second World War. Despite his Swedish-speaking family background, the Finnish language immersion
was total in his youth, and he ultimately had to learn Swedish at school. He was educated not only at the Cadet School in Finland, but also in the United States Army Command and General Staff College
in Leavenworth, Kansas
. He is also a fellow of the Harvard University
.
He commanded United Nations
troops in 1978 as the commander of the Finnish battalion (FINBATT) in UNEF II in Sinai, and as the commander of UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon in 1986–88.
Hägglund served under Presidents Martti Ahtisaari
and briefly under Tarja Halonen
. Hägglund's command of the defence forces was characterized by the general modernization of the force and refocusing from quantity to quality. In the Army, three large "readiness brigades" were formed, and the Air Force upgraded to Hornet F/A-18 fighters. Finland entered NATO's Partnership for Peace
programme during Hägglund's command.
A major change was made in the terms of conscription service: reserve officers and NCOs would serve 12 months (lengthened from 11 months), but rank and file would serve 6 months (shortened from 8 months), with some specialists such as military police
serving 9 months. Previously the rotation had been thrice per year, in order to maintain a contingent that had been trained at least 4 months. The rotation was changed to twice per year.
He has published three books, one concerning defence of Finland
, one about defence of Europe and an autobiography
. In the 2000s, Hägglund has promoted the development of the independent defence of Europe, and estimated that the United States shifts its focus away from Europe, changing the role of NATO. He has supported Finnish NATO membership.
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
. He was the Chief of Defence
Chief of Defence (Finland)
The Chief of Defence is the Chief of Defence and commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, under the authority of the Commander in Chief, President of Finland. He commands the Finnish Army, the Finnish Air Force, the Finnish Navy and is assisted by the Defence Command...
1994—2001, and Chairman of the European Union Military Committee
European Union Military Committee
The European Union Military Committee ' is a department of military officials under the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the Political and Security Committee of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy. The EUMC gives military advice to...
2001–2004.
Hägglund's father was General Woldemar Hägglund
Woldemar Hägglund
Johan Woldemar Hägglund was a Major General in the Finnish Army in the Second World War, and an early volunteer in the Finnish Jäger troops in Finnish Civil War 1918.- Early years :...
, commander of the Karelian front in the Second World War. He was born in Viipuri, an area ceded to the Soviet Union in the Second World War. Despite his Swedish-speaking family background, the Finnish language immersion
Language immersion
Language immersion is a method of teaching a second language in which the target language is used as the means of instruction. Unlike more traditional language courses, where the target language is simply the subject material, language immersion uses the target language as a teaching tool,...
was total in his youth, and he ultimately had to learn Swedish at school. He was educated not only at the Cadet School in Finland, but also in the United States Army Command and General Staff College
Command and General Staff College
The United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas is a graduate school for United States Army and sister service officers, interagency representatives, and international military officers. The college was established in 1881 by William Tecumseh Sherman as a...
in Leavenworth, Kansas
Leavenworth, Kansas
Leavenworth is the largest city and county seat of Leavenworth County, in the U.S. state of Kansas and within the Kansas City, Missouri Metropolitan Area. Located in the northeast portion of the state, it is on the west bank of the Missouri River. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
. He is also a fellow of the Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
.
He commanded United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
troops in 1978 as the commander of the Finnish battalion (FINBATT) in UNEF II in Sinai, and as the commander of UNIFIL in Southern Lebanon in 1986–88.
Hägglund served under Presidents Martti Ahtisaari
Martti Ahtisaari
Martti Oiva Kalevi Ahtisaari is a Finnish politician, the tenth President of Finland , Nobel Peace Prize laureate and United Nations diplomat and mediator, noted for his international peace work....
and briefly under Tarja Halonen
Tarja Halonen
Tarja Kaarina Halonen is the incumbent President of Finland. The first female to hold the office, Halonen had previously been a member of the parliament from 1979 to 2000 when she resigned after her election to the presidency...
. Hägglund's command of the defence forces was characterized by the general modernization of the force and refocusing from quantity to quality. In the Army, three large "readiness brigades" were formed, and the Air Force upgraded to Hornet F/A-18 fighters. Finland entered NATO's Partnership for Peace
Partnership for Peace
Partnership for Peace is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation program aimed at creating trust between NATO and other states in Europe and the former Soviet Union; 22 States are members...
programme during Hägglund's command.
A major change was made in the terms of conscription service: reserve officers and NCOs would serve 12 months (lengthened from 11 months), but rank and file would serve 6 months (shortened from 8 months), with some specialists such as military police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
serving 9 months. Previously the rotation had been thrice per year, in order to maintain a contingent that had been trained at least 4 months. The rotation was changed to twice per year.
He has published three books, one concerning defence of Finland
Finnish Defence Forces
The Finnish Defence Forces are responsible for the defence of Finland. It is a cadre army of 15,000, of which 8,900 are professional soldiers , extended with conscripts and reservists such that the standard readiness strength is 34,700 people in uniform...
, one about defence of Europe and an autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
. In the 2000s, Hägglund has promoted the development of the independent defence of Europe, and estimated that the United States shifts its focus away from Europe, changing the role of NATO. He has supported Finnish NATO membership.