The first order to organize the Lithuanian Army was issued by Prime Minister Augustinas Voldemaras on 11 November 1918.

For example, at one point, the department in charge of planning military operations during the Lithuanian Wars of Independence had only three officers.

[5] Only one officer, Konstantinas Kleščinskis who joined the Lithuanian Army in May 1919, had general staff education or experience.

Since Lithuania did not have its on staff college, most promising officers were sent to study at the War College and the Military Intendant School (Vojenská intendantská škola) in Prague because Czechoslovakia was a small friendly nation therefore its military education more closely matched the realities of Lithuania.

[5] After military reforms of Stasys Raštikis, the General Staff became subordinated to the commander of the Lithuanian Army and not to the Minister of Defence.

[9] In February 1992, the staff was liquidated as a separate legal entity and became a department of the ministry.

[2] On 23 April 2008, the new Joint Staff under the Armed Forces was created to handle operational tasks.

[11] The old Defence Staff continued to handle strategic planning[10] until May 2011 when it was replaced by general director of capabilities and armaments.