Alkiviadis Stefanis was born in Athens, in 1959. He was admitted to the Hellenic Military Academy (Evelpidon) in 1978 and graduated four years later, as an Armor Second Lieutenant, joining the Armor – Cavalry Arm. Initially, he served in Armor Units, in Evros and the islands of the Eastern Aegean, as Platoon Commander and Medium Tank Company Commander, and then at the Hellenic Military Academy, as an instructor, responsible for the training of the new Cadets.
During the period 1992-1994, he served as the Commander of the Reserve’s Officers Company, responsible for the leadership, planning and implementation of educational policies. In 1994, he attended the US Army Armored Advanced Course at Fort Knox, graduating with honors, and then he served for two years at the Armor School, Avlonas Attica, as an Officer’s instructor. At the same time, he worked as Director of the School’s Research & Technology Office, analyzing, planning and implementing the future of the Armor Weapon. In 1997, he attended the Supreme War College, from where he graduated with distinction. From 1998 to 2000, he commanded the 98th National Guard Tank Battalion, in Lesvos island.
From 2000 to 2002, he served as an Aide-de-Camp to the President of the Hellenic Republic, a position from which he gained diplomatic experience. During this time, he completed additional studies in the field of crisis management. For the next three years, until 2005, he served as Operations Officer at the Greek Military Delegation, NATO Headquarters, Brussels and handled national issues within the Alliance, focusing on operational issues and education and training policies.
Upon returning to Greece and until 2007, he was appointed Director of the Evolution Bureau of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff of National Defence, responsible for the Armed Force’s transformational effort. During this period, he graduated with distinction from the School of National Defence, focusing on strategic and national security. In 2007, he was assigned as Chief of Staff to the XXIII Armored Brigade, in Alexandroupolis.
In 2008, he attended the National Defence University (NDU) in Washington, D.C., where he graduated with honors, obtaining a Master’s Degree in Security Strategies. During his studies, he was President of the University’s Moral Committee and team leader of the basketball team.
In 2009, he was appointed Deputy Commander in the 50th Mechanized Infantry Brigade, in Soufli Evros. A year later, he was promoted to Brigadier General and appointed Director of the Defence Planning and Programming Directorate of the Hellenic Army General Staff, responsible for defence planning and military/academic training. In 2011, he was assigned as Commanding General of the XXIII Armored Brigade, in Alexandroupolis.
Upon his promotion to Major General, in 2013, he was appointed Director of the D Staff Branch of the Hellenic Army General Staff, with responsibilities for Defence Planning, the organization and development of the Hellenic Army, as well as the military and academic training of the personnel of the Formations and Units. Also, during that period, he was elected – through a vote by the member states of the European Union – as the Operational Commander for the International Crisis Management Exercise (MILEX-13), held in Brussels.
In 2014, he was appointed Commanding General of the 95th Higher National Guard Battalions Command, in Rhodes and in 2015, again as Director of the D Staff Directorate of the Hellenic Army General Staff. In March 2016, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and assigned as Commanding General of the C Army Corps, as well as the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Greece (NRDC – GR).
On January 16, 2017, he assumed the duties of the Chief of the Hellenic Army.
On January 25, 2019, upon the decision of the Governmental Council of Foreign Policy and National Defence, he successfully completed his career, promoted to the rank of General and was awarded the title of Honorary Chief of the Hellenic Army.
He has been awarded the following decorations, commendations and medals:
Grand Commander of the Order of Honour
Grand Commander of the Order of Phoenix
Medal for Military Valour 1st Class
Chief of General Staff Commendation Medal
Star for Valour and Honour
Merit and Honour Commendation Medal 1st class
Formation Command Medal 1st Class.
Meritorious Command Medal 1st Class
Staff Officer Service Commendation Medal 1st Class
Order of Merit of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
On July 9, 2019, he was appointed Deputy Minister of National Defence, a position in which he remained until August 31, 2021.
On March 1, 2022, he assumed the duties of Advisor to the Hellenic Government on Frontiers and Mount Athos.
On May 26, 2023, he was appointed Minister of National Defence.
For his contribution to the Homeland, he has been declared an Honorary Citizen of emblematic Hellenic municipalities such as Kastelorizo (Megisti), Symi, Lipsi, Ancient Epidaurus and Amyntaio.
