Colonel Jussi Toivanen

COL Jussi Toivanen is an International Fellow in the United States Army War College academic year 2025. He received his commission as an Armoured Officer from the Finnish National Defence University in 1999 (master’s degree). He is a graduate of the Armour School, Senior Staff Officer Course, General Staff Officer Course (pre-doctoral degree), and Higher Officers Course from the Finnish National Defence University as well as of the Joint Forces Staff College from the United States National Defense University.

Prior to his arrival at Carlisle Barracks, he was assigned to Finnish Army Headquarters, where he served as the Head of Strategic Planning Sector. Previous assignments include service as an Instructor in Tank Company, Tank Company XO in the Häme Jaeger Battalion; Course Director in Armour School, as a Director of Intelligence Center in Finnish Army Western Command Headquarters, Staff Officer and Planner in the Finnish Defence Command J5 and J3, Military Assistant to Chief of Defence Command and Branch Head for Operational Planning (National Defence Plan) in the Finnish Defence Command J3.

His command assignments include 20 months as Commander for Armoured Reserve Officer Course in Armour School and 22 months as Commander for Häme Armoured Battalion, Armoured Brigade; 7 months as Commander for Finnish Forces in Iraq (OIR and NMI). He has also served 12 months in United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). LTC Toivanen’s awards and decorations include Suomen Leijonan 1.lk:n ritarimerkki (Knight First Class, Order of the Lion of Finland); Sotilasansiomitali (Military Medal for Merit); Jalkaväen Ansioristi (Infantry Cross of Merit); Tankkimiesristi (Cross of Armoured Forces).