BG BITRI graduated from “Skënderbej” Military Academy, Tirana, Albania, in 1989 and immediately thereafter commissioned as an active duty Air Defense Artillery officer. Upon commissioning his first assignment and the very first years as young lieutenant were as Platoon Leader in ADA units in and around Tirana.
His operational expertise and understanding enhanced throughout the years. Initially at tactical level as he was assigned in a priority unit such as it was the Commando Regiment. He mostly dealt with Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) and was also heavily involved in the area of public information since the unit was contributing with troops in international military operations and missions such as ISAF, Afghanistan, “Iraqi Freedom”, Iraq and Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the operational level BG BITRI’s experience includes his tour as a G5 Branch Chief in Land Forces and Chief of Staff of Land Forces.
At the strategic level BG BITRI’s experience includes assignments as Director of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, J5 Director, J3 Director, Chief of cabinet of the Chief of General Staff of Albania, Director of NATO, EU and Foreign Relations Directory in the Ministry of Defense and as Chief Public Information Officer in the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces. His operational experienced is also flavored with international assignments as Senior National Representative to the United States Central Command (CENTOM), Tampa, Florida and as Deputy National Representative to the Supreme Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Norfolk, Virginia.
Between October 2022 and September 2023, BG BITRI was the Commandant of the Albanian Armed Forces Academy.
BG BITRI’s experience includes Professional Military Education as well. He taught for half a dozen years at the Albanian Military Academy, lectured and briefed occasionally different domestic and international audiences on subjects relating to Albanian Armed Forces, strategic studies and international relations.
Aside from Military Academy, BG BITRI’s education and qualification include Albanian Command and Staff College in 2006, Senior Officer Course in Albanian Armed Forces Academy in 2014, and is a U.S. Army War College graduate of “Class AY 2017”. He holds a ‘Master Degree’ on Strategic Studies form the U.S. Army War College and ‘Master Degree’ on International Relations from Old Dominion University and European University of Tirana.
For distinguished work and contributions, BG BITRI has been awarded with service Medals and Distinguished Services Medal.
He is married to Mrs Valbona and they have 2 children (23 and 15 years old).