Frank CLINCKEMAILLIE
Colonel
Chief of Staff and Chief of the Support Staff Department
Biography
Frank CLINCKEMAILLIE was born on 17 October 1960 in Mortsel. Educated as an electronics engineer, he began his military career on 4 August 1980 as a candidate reserve officer (soldier) at the École d’infanterie in Arlon. Thirteen months later, he left his post as a second lieutenant platoon leader/instructor in the 6th Line Regiment, now disbanded, and based at the time in Kapellen (Antwerp).
Frank developed his professional knowledge and experience in the industrial healthcare sector, with a relatively short stint in the world of information technology. His knowledge of high-tech applications has enabled him to hold positions as a project manager, regional department head and site manager in proton therapy centres in Leuven (BE) and Madrid (ES).
Alongside his 42-year civilian career (until May 2023), Frank has held various positions within the Military Command of the Province of Antwerp, from where he left for Wiesbaden (DE) to take on the responsibilities of Chief Line of Effort 1 (basic training) and Chief Line of Effort 4 (leadership development) at J7 as part of the training of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which was set up by the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine).
After his return to Belgium on 4 December 2023, Frank was assigned to the EU Desk within DefPol as Action Officer and also contributed to the functioning of the EU TF24.
He took up his post at the Royal Higher Institute for Defence (RHID) on 1 July 2024, as Programme Coordinator for research and innovation.
Since 1 January 2025, Colonel Clinckemaillie has been Chief of Staff at the RHID and Director of the Support Staff Department.