President Pavel has many years of military experience, ascending from a Special Purpose Airborne Reconnaissance Platoon Leader to the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. Notably, he chaired the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, further solidifying his expertise and leadership within the international defence community. Throughout his career, he held various positions, such as the Commander of Special Forces Brigade or the Deputy Military Representative of the Czech Republic to the EU.
After retiring from the army, President Pavel continued his dedication to public service, engaging in civil society initiatives and as a freelance lecturer on defence, security, and international relations. In 2023, he won the presidential election as an independent candidate nominated by citizens.