the Council of the European Union for a period of three years and succeeded general Henri Bentégeat on 6 November 2009. His appointment lasted until November 2012 and after this, he started his consulting firm In General AB the same year. Other work Syrén was ADC to His Majesty the King from 1988 to 1996. He became a member of the Royal Swedish Society of Naval Sciences in 1993 and of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences in 1996. Syrén became a member of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in 1997 and is a member of the Swedish Society for International Affairs (Utrikespolitiska samfundet). In December 2012 he became a senior advisor to the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) and the following year he became a board member of the SSC. Personal life Syrén is married to Birgitta and together they have three children. Positions 1973–1979: Instructor and Platoon Commander at the Vaxholm Coastal Artillery Regiment 1980–1984: Student at the Military Academy Karlberg, Stockholm 1984–1988: Staff Officer at the Naval Staff, Stockholm 1988–1989: Student at the Naval War College, Newport, USA 1989–1990: Teacher of Strategy at the Military Academy Karlberg, Stockholm 1990–1992: Head of Planning Department, Naval Staff, Stockholm 1992–1994: Commanding officer of the Marine Amphibious Battalion 1994–1996: Commanding officer of the Vaxholm Coastal Artillery Regiment 1996–1998: Head of Operations Planning Department, Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters 1999–1999: Secretary to the Defence Commission, Ministry of Defence 1999–2003: Director of Military Intelligence and Security, Swedish Armed Forces Headquarters 2004–2009: Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces 2009–2012: Chairman of the European Union Military Committee Promotions Syréns promotions: 1973 – Lieutenant 1976 – Captain 1983 – Major 1988 – Lieutenant colonel 1994 – Colonel 1996 – Senior colonel 1 October 1999 – Major general 2000 – Lieutenant general 2004 – General Awards and decorations Swedish H. M. The King's Medal, 12th size gold medal worn around the neck on a chain of gold (2009) H. M. The King's Medal, 8th size gold (silver-gilt) medal worn on the chest suspended by the Order of the Seraphim ribbon (1994) For Zealous and Devoted Service of the Realm Home Guard Medal of Merit Swedish Women's Voluntary Defence Organization Royal Medal of Merit in gold (22 November 2008) Coastal Ranger Association Medal of Merit (Förbundet Kustjägarnas förtjänstmedalj) in silver (2006) Foreign Grand Cross of the Order of the Lion of Finland (2009) Grand Cross of the