Admiral Rob Bauer: Chair of the NATO Military Committee (nato.int)

• Bauer was NATO's most senior military officer from 2021 to 2025.
• He commanded HNLMS De Ruyter and HNLMS Johan de Witt.
• As Dutch Chief of Defence, he drove modernization after years of budget cuts.

"Admiral Rob Bauer served as the 33rd Chair of the NATO Military Committee from June 2021 to January 2025, acting as the top military advisor to the Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council. With a career spanning the Royal Netherlands Navy, he commanded frigates, led the creation of the Defence Cyber Command, and served as Chief of Defence, overseeing major military investments. His mantra 'expect the unexpected' underscores his focus on alliance cohesion amid shifting threats."