Rafał Kowalik commands Multinational Division North East. His appointment began on 14 May 2026; he became a major general on 15 August 2026.
Born in Busko-Zdrój in 1971, he entered the Armour Branch in 1994 after graduating from the military academy in Wrocław. Before this appointment, he was the first Polish officer to serve as Deputy Commanding General for Operations of the US 1st Cavalry Division in Texas.
His command experience includes a company in the 14th Armoured Brigade, a battalion in the 21st Podhale Riflemen Brigade and the 10th Armoured Cavalry Brigade. Staff service includes personnel, operations and chief-of-staff appointments, service with KFOR in Kosovo and senior posts in the Polish land forces.
He studied military management in Warsaw, completed US Army strategic command education at Fort Leavenworth and holds a master’s degree in pedagogics from Rzeszów. He was promoted to brigadier general in August 2020.
His decorations include Polish long-service, armed-forces and national-defence medals, the Meritorious Soldier honorary title and the US Legion of Merit. His interests include military history.