Deputy Fleet Commander, Romanian Navy

Rear Admiral (LH) Marian Ciobotaru

RDML Marian Ciobotaru, graduated from the Romanian Naval Academy in 1995 as a surface warfare officer, earning a Bachelor of Naval Radio-Electronics Engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Economy from the University of Constanta, Romania, in 2002, and a Bachelor in Navigation and Maritime Transportation from the Maritime University of Constanta, Romania, in 2010. He holds a Master of Arts at the Naval Staff College from the Romanian National Defense University, in 2011. He is also a graduate of the Naval Command College from the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, in 2021.

His military professional education also includes a variety of national and international courses and programs such as: British Military Advisory and Training Course, Vyscov, Czech Republic (2001), Communication Instructor Course, Collingwood, U.K. (2002), International Maritime Officer Course, U.S. York Town, Virginia (2004), Weapon Engineering Officer Course, Collingwood, U.K. (2005), Combat/EOD Divers Course, Romania (2007).

Operationally, he has served in MCM squadron, Flotilla Frigate, Navy ISR Brigade, Fleet Command, and Navy HQ. His fleet assignments include communications officer, operational and planning officer, weapon engineering officer, executive officer, and commanding officer. He commanded the Type 22 Frigate, F222 Regina Maria and 243rd Navy ISR Brigade. He deployed multiple times in support of operations NATO Active Endeavor (2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013) in the Mediterranean Sea, and in support of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG2) in the Black Sea (2019, 2020).

Ashore, Ciobotaru’s assignments include duties as staff officer, communication officer, operational and planning officer at the MCM Squadron and at the Operations and Capabilities Planning Department N3/N5, Romanian Navy HQ, deputy Navy ISR Brigade Commander. He assumed flag officer assignments as a 243rd Navy ISR Brigade Commander, 2022 and Deputy Fleet Commander, started March 2024.

Personal decorations include the Emblem of Honor of Romanian Ministry of Defense, the Emblem of Honor of General Defense Staff, the Emblem of Honor of Navy, the Emblem of Honor of Air Force, the Emblem of Honor of Communications, and NATO - Article 5 Medal. Ciobotaru was also recognized the Officer of the Year, for 2024 in the Romanian Navy.

He was promoted to Rear Admiral (LH) on November 2024.
RDML Ciobotaru is currently serving as Deputy Fleet Commander, Romanian Navy.
He is married and has a daughter.