3rd Infantry Battalion – ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Mission and Tasks

Mission:

Conduct operations for the defense and protection of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of North Macedonia, in coordination with the Ministry of Interior in border security, support to civil authorities in disaster relief efforts following natural and man-made disasters, as well as participation in peace support and humanitarian operations abroad.

List of essential tasks of the mission:

Conduct offensive and defensive operations to defend and protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic;
Act in coordination with the Ministry of Interior in border security;
Support civil authorities in disaster relief efforts following natural and man-made disasters;
Participate in peace support and humanitarian operations outside the Republic;
Mobilize units, conduct movement and transportation, and rapidly deploy and occupy locations, areas, positions, and routes;
Control territory, close routes, and secure areas;
Support Ministry of Interior forces in responding to threats, risks, and dangers to the security of the Republic;
Support state authorities and local government units in dealing with natural disasters, epidemics, technical and technological accidents, and other emergencies;
Participate in peacekeeping operations to support peace and prevent conflicts outside the territory of the Republic, and protect the broader interests of the Republic.

Commander

Lieutenant Colonel Mile Stanoevski

Lieutenant Colonel Mile Stanoevski was born on July 17, 1981, in Shtip. He finished primary school in Pehchevo and secondary school in Skopje. His military career began in 2004 after graduating from the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” in Skopje, as an infantry officer, starting as a team commander in the Ranger Battalion of the Special Operations Regiment.

He continued his career as a platoon commander in the Long-Range Surveillance Company. His next post was as a training and exercises officer in the S-3 section. During this period, he completed several courses and training programs in country and abroad, the most significant being: Basic Special Forces Course; Small Unit Tactics Course; Long-Range Surveillance Course; Crisis Communication Training; International Course for Staff Officers in Slovakia; Non-lethal Weapons Instructor Course; Company Commanders Course; Survival in All Terrain and Weather Conditions Course in Turkey; NATO Combat Readiness Evaluator Course in Germany; Counter-Terrorism Course; Urban Combat Course.

His next appointment to a higher position was in 2015 as a company commander. He actively participated in all activities and exercises in which his unit took part, in country and abroad, through command or staff duties. In 2018, he completed an Exercise Planning Course, as well as a Mountain Warfare Course in Winter Conditions in the USA. In the period from 2021 to 2022, he graduated from the Command and Staff Academy of the Defense College in Estonia. After graduation, he was appointed as a planning officer in the Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion, and since 2023 as the Chief of S-3/7.

Lieutenant Colonel Mile Stanoevski has received several commendations, certificates, and incentive leaves. He has been awarded the Army’s bronze, silver, and gold badges. He holds a STANAG 6001 English language proficiency certificate at level 2+.3.3.3, and he has basic knowledge of French. He is married and the father of one minor child.

Military Career:

2004-2007 Commander of the 3rd Team, 2nd Ranger Company / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
2007–2013 Platoon Commander in the Long-Range Surveillance Company / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
2013–2015 Training and Exercises Officer / S-3 / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
2015–2017 Commander of the Command Company / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
2017–2021: Commander of the 2nd Ranger Company / Ranger Battalion / Special Operations Regiment;
2022–2023 Planning Officer S-3 / Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion / Operations Command;
2023–2025 Chief of S-3/7 / Reconnaissance and Intelligence Battalion / Operations Command.

Promotions:

2004 – Second Lieutenant
2008 – Lieutenant
2011 – Captain
2016 – Major
2025 – Lieutenant Colonel

History

The battalion proudly continues the traditions of the 15th Porechka Brigade, formed on 27 August 1944 in the village of Breznica, near Makedonski Brod.

By decision of the President of the Republic of Macedonia and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Gjorgje Ivanov, 27 August was designated as the official Day of the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion (3rd MIBn).

Until 2006, the unit operated under the name of 1st Infantry Battalion within the 2nd Infantry Brigade.

In April 2006, it was renamed the 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion, within the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

In accordance with the new structural organization of the units of the Army in May 2012, the unit was renamed the 3rd Mechanized Infantry Battalion and placed under the command of the 1st Mechanized Infantry Brigade.

Later, in November 2019, with another structural organization, the battalion received its current name, the 3rd Infantry Battalion, now operating within the 1st Infantry Brigade.

On 18 August 2020, on the occasion of celebrating the Day of the Army, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, H.E. Gjorgje Ivanov, presented the Order of Military Merit to the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Battalion.

Throughout its existence, many service personnel of the battalion have actively taken part in peace-support and conflict-prevention operations led by NATO. The missions and operations include participation in the missions ISAF, Iraqi Freedom, Resolute Support in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, KFOR in Kosovo, eVA Romania, eVA Bulgaria, eFP Latvia, and Lebanon.

Service personnel of the 3rd Infantry Battalion have participated in the following international missions: