Josip Lucić

Josip Lucić (April 26, 1957) is a Croatian general and former chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.

Youth
Lucić was born in Posavski Podgajci near Drenovci on 26 April 1957. He finished elementary and high school in Zagreb. In 1984 he graduated at Faculty of Kinesiology of University of Zagreb, and in 1988 he became master of kinesiology.

Military career
In November 1990 he volunteerly joined to units of Croatian Ministry of Interior, where he was deputy commander of special battalion "Rakitje" and later commander of the same battalion. He was also involved in forming and organizing of anti-terrorist police battalion. From May 1991 until December 1991 he was commander of 1st Guards Brigade "Tigers". As a commander of 1st brigade of Croatian National Guard he also participates in forming of second, third and fourth professional brigade of National Guard. He is also involved in forming of a mountain brigade, company for alpinist training, orientations, sky and mountain guides. As a commander of 1st Brigade he stopps advence of Yugoslav People's Army on direction Stara Gradiška-Okučani and also forms defence line in front of Novska. From December 1991 until April 1992 he was deputy chief of the General Staff for army and he also participates in process of organizing and training of Croatian Army. From April 1992 until June 1992 he was commander of Osijek Military District. After case of fire and truce were signed he establishes peace in Eastern Slavonia. Conditions for arrical of UNTAES were made under his command. From June 1992 until December 1992 he was deputy minister and chief of the Personnel Department of Ministry of Defence of Republic of Croatia. From December 1992 until February 1996 he was chief inspector in General Inspectorate of Ministry of Defence. In February 1996 he became chief of the Military College "Petar Zrinski" in Karlovac. On 20 November 2000 he became deputy chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces. On 16 January 2003 he was named chief of the General Staff by commander-in-chief of Armed Forces of Croatia and president of the country Stjepan Mesić. On 16 January 2008 his five-year mandate expired and he was formally dessolved of duties. On 28 February 2008 he was named once again chief of General Staff, which made him first Croatian general who done this duty for two times. On 1 March 2011 he was dissolved of duties.

Croatian decorations

 * Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV
 * Order of Duke Domagoj
 * Order of Nikola Šubić Zrinski
 * Order of Ban Jelačić
 * Order of Ante Starčević
 * Order of the Croatian Trefoil
 * Order of the Croatian Interlace
 * Commemorative Medal of the Homeland War
 * Commemorative Medal of the Homeland's Gratitude for 5 years of honorable service
 * Commemorative Medal of the Homeland's Gratitude for 10 years of honorable service
 * "Flash" Medal
 * "Storm" Medal
 * "Exceptional Undertaking" Medal

Foreign decorations

 * Legion of Merit
 * Grand Officer (International Military Sports Council)

Other offices

 * Member of Council for Defence and National Security (VONS)
 * Member of Military Council
 * President of Council for System of Command (SUZA)
 * President of High Court-Martial
 * President of Croatian delegation for military sports (CISM)
 * President of Organization Committee of 2nd Military Games in Zagreb in 1999

Private life
General Lucić is married and has two sons.