Raivis Melnis
Languages
English, Farsi/Dari, Russian.
International missions
2010 ISAF Provincial Reconstruction Team, Afghanistan
2008 ISAF Civil-Military Cooperation Officer, Afghanistan
Awards
2021 The United Kingdom Joint Force Development & Defence Academy Director General’s Commendation
2017 The Order of Viesturs of the Republic of Latvia
2010 non-Article 5 NATO medal
2010 Norwegian Armed Forces Medal
2008 Commander of the National Armed Forces award – Medal For Merit, 3rd Class
2008 Commander of the National Armed Forces Medal
Education
2012–2013
King’s College London, Great Britain.
Master's degree in military science (Master of Arts in Military Studies)
Study programme: International Security and Management
Master's degree in military science (Master of Arts in Military Studies)
Study programme: International Security and Management
2012–2013
Chartered Management Institute, Great Britain.
“Level 7 Diploma in Management and Leadership” (Equivalent to a master's degree)
Study programme: Strategic information management, financial management, strategic leadership, risk management strategy, etc.
“Level 7 Diploma in Management and Leadership” (Equivalent to a master's degree)
Study programme: Strategic information management, financial management, strategic leadership, risk management strategy, etc.
2012–2013
British Defence Academy, 2012 – 2013
Joint Command Staff College Advanced Command and Staff Course
Study programme: Military Management and Leadership, International Security, Defense Policy and Strategy, Military Operations, etc.
Joint Command Staff College Advanced Command and Staff Course
Study programme: Military Management and Leadership, International Security, Defense Policy and Strategy, Military Operations, etc.
2012
General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania, 2012
Army Command and Staff Course
Study programme: Military Management and Leadership, International Security, and Project Management
Army Command and Staff Course
Study programme: Military Management and Leadership, International Security, and Project Management
2007
Hungarian Defence Forces’ Centre for Civil-Military Cooperation and Psychological Operations
NATO Civil-Military Cooperation Course
NATO Civil-Military Cooperation Course
2007
National Armed Forces Language School
Farsi-Dari (BIVI-PERS) language course
Farsi-Dari (BIVI-PERS) language course
2007
NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany
NATO Civil-Military Cooperation Course
NATO Civil-Military Cooperation Course
2003–2004
Latvian National Defence Academy
Company Commander’s Course
Company Commander’s Course
2003–2004
British Military Advisory and Training Team, Lithuania
Tactical Combat Shooting (Instructor) Training Course
Tactical Combat Shooting (Instructor) Training Course
1996–2000
Latvian National Defence Academy, Latvia
Bachelor's degree in education
Bachelor's degree in education
1996–2000
Latvian National Defence Academy
Platoon Commander's Course
Platoon Commander's Course
Experience
2025–
Defence Sector Advisor in Kyiv, Ukraine.
2025
Deputy Chief of the Land Component, Joint Headquarters Operational Group of the National Armed Forces, Latvia.
2022–2025
Head of the Operations and Planning Department, Joint Headquarters of the National Armed Forces, Latvia.
2019–2022
Long-term operational planning, operational analysis, and evaluation at the Joint Staff of the British Armed Forces and the Joint Expeditionary Force Headquarters, United Kingdom.
2018–2019
Commander of the Baltic States’ “Baltic Battalion”.
2015–2019
Commander of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion (LATBAT) of the Land Forces, Latvia.
2013–2015
Head of the Operational Planning and Training Division, Land Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade, Latvia.
2008–2011
Head of the Operations Planning Section, 2nd Infantry Battalion, Land Forces, Latvia.