Giampaolo Di Paola
Encyclopedia
Admiral
Giampaolo di Paola (born August 15, 1944) is an Italian
naval officer who has served in the government of Italy as Minister of Defense since November 2011. He was the Italian military's Chief of Staff
from March 10, 2004 to February 11, 2008 and became Chairman of the NATO Military Committee
in 2008.
in 1963 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1966. In 1967 he attended the Submarine
School and underwent fleet training aboard submarines. He served in junior officer appointments in conventional submarines and commanded the submarines Cappellini (1974–75) and Sauro (1980–81).
In 1981 he attended the NATO Defense College
in Rome
. From 1981 to 1984 Di Paola served as Anti Submarine Warfare and Undersea Warfare Program Officer, Long Term Planning Branch, in the Supreme Allied Command Atlantic
in Norfolk, Virginia
, United States. In 1984, he assumed command of the frigate
Grecale. In 1986, he was appointed to the Navy Staff in Rome as Plans and Programs Branch Chief in the Directorate of Financial Planning. From 1989 to 1990, as a Captain, he commanded the aircraft carrier Garibaldi.
In 1990 he returned to the Navy Staff and was appointed as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff (1990–91), then as Chief of Naval Plans and Policy Branch (1991–92), and finally as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations (1993–94). During this period the Italian Navy was involved in supporting NATO arms embargo operations (Operation Sharp Guard
) to contain the conflict in the former Yugoslavia
, and in the U.N. operation Restore Hope in Somalia
.
As a Rear Admiral (lower half) he was assigned to the Defense Staff in 1994, at the Ministry of Defense. Here he became Chief of the Directorate of Defense Policy between 1994 and 1998). In this position he took an active part in the planning of the Italian contribution to the NATO effort for the stabilization of the Balkans
and for the Italian-led Operation in support of Albania
in 1997. As Polmil Advisor to the Minister of Defense and to the Italian Chod he was actively engaged in NATO PfP initiative and in the Mediterranean Dialogue. He was also the Italian representative to the HLG on nuclear and proliferation issues.
From 1998 to 2001, with the rank of Rear Admiral
, he assumed the position of Chief of the Cabinet Office of the Ministry of Defence. On the 1st of January 1999 he was promoted Vice Admiral. In this position he took active part in supporting the political decision making for the Italian contribution to the NATO initiative in Kosovo, the NATO enlargement process and outreach policy and in the development of the ESDP and NATO-EU relationship.
In March 2001 he was appointed Secretary General of Defence / National Armaments Director. In this capacity he held national responsibility for major NATO programmes such as AGS, ALTBMD, NATO Airlift Capability, NATO SATCOM Post 2000 and MEADS.
He was promoted Admiral on 10 March 2004 on becoming Chief of Defence. In this capacity he had the overall responsibility for the policy and planning of the Italian Armed Forces and - as CINCFOR – he did hold planning and command responsibility for Italian Forces participation in NATO, EU and Coalition operations conducted in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, Pakistan and in the United Nations Operation in Lebanon.
As of 27 June 2008, he is the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
On 16 November 2011, he was appointed to serve in Prime Minister
Mario Monti
's technocrat cabinet as Defence Minister.
His military decorations and awards include the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy
, Meritorious Service Medal for distinguished military service, Commander of Legion of Merit
(USA), Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Légion d'honneur
(France), Commandeur de l'Ordre National du merite (France), Grand Officer of the Order of Infante Don Enrico (Poland), Grand Officer of military virtue with war insignia (RO), UN Medal for UN Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo.
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Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Giampaolo di Paola (born August 15, 1944) is an Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
naval officer who has served in the government of Italy as Minister of Defense since November 2011. He was the Italian military's Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
from March 10, 2004 to February 11, 2008 and became Chairman of the NATO Military Committee
Chairman of the NATO Military Committee
The Chairman of the NATO Military Committee's authority stems from the NATO Military Committee, to which he is responsible in the performance of his duties. He chairs all meetings of the Military Committee and acts in an international capacity. In his absence, the Deputy Chairman of the Military...
in 2008.
Military career
Di Paola joined the Italian NavyItalian Navy
Italian Navy may refer to:* Pre-unitarian navies of the Italian states* Regia Marina, the Royal Navy of the Kingdom of Italy * Italian Navy , the navy of the Italian Republic...
in 1963 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1966. In 1967 he attended the Submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
School and underwent fleet training aboard submarines. He served in junior officer appointments in conventional submarines and commanded the submarines Cappellini (1974–75) and Sauro (1980–81).
In 1981 he attended the NATO Defense College
NATO Defense College
NATO Defense College is an international military college for North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries located in Rome, Italy.-History:...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. From 1981 to 1984 Di Paola served as Anti Submarine Warfare and Undersea Warfare Program Officer, Long Term Planning Branch, in the Supreme Allied Command Atlantic
Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic
The Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic was one of two supreme commanders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation , the other being the Supreme Allied Commander Europe . The SACLANT led Allied Command Atlantic, based at Norfolk, Virginia...
in Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
, United States. In 1984, he assumed command of the frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
Grecale. In 1986, he was appointed to the Navy Staff in Rome as Plans and Programs Branch Chief in the Directorate of Financial Planning. From 1989 to 1990, as a Captain, he commanded the aircraft carrier Garibaldi.
In 1990 he returned to the Navy Staff and was appointed as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff (1990–91), then as Chief of Naval Plans and Policy Branch (1991–92), and finally as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations (1993–94). During this period the Italian Navy was involved in supporting NATO arms embargo operations (Operation Sharp Guard
Operation Sharp Guard
Operation Sharp Guard was a multi-year joint naval blockade in the Adriatic Sea by NATO and the Western European Union on shipments to the former Yugoslavia. Warships and maritime patrol aircraft from 14 countries were involved in searching for and stopping blockade runners.The operation began on...
) to contain the conflict in the former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
, and in the U.N. operation Restore Hope in Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
.
As a Rear Admiral (lower half) he was assigned to the Defense Staff in 1994, at the Ministry of Defense. Here he became Chief of the Directorate of Defense Policy between 1994 and 1998). In this position he took an active part in the planning of the Italian contribution to the NATO effort for the stabilization of the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
and for the Italian-led Operation in support of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
in 1997. As Polmil Advisor to the Minister of Defense and to the Italian Chod he was actively engaged in NATO PfP initiative and in the Mediterranean Dialogue. He was also the Italian representative to the HLG on nuclear and proliferation issues.
From 1998 to 2001, with the rank of Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
, he assumed the position of Chief of the Cabinet Office of the Ministry of Defence. On the 1st of January 1999 he was promoted Vice Admiral. In this position he took active part in supporting the political decision making for the Italian contribution to the NATO initiative in Kosovo, the NATO enlargement process and outreach policy and in the development of the ESDP and NATO-EU relationship.
In March 2001 he was appointed Secretary General of Defence / National Armaments Director. In this capacity he held national responsibility for major NATO programmes such as AGS, ALTBMD, NATO Airlift Capability, NATO SATCOM Post 2000 and MEADS.
He was promoted Admiral on 10 March 2004 on becoming Chief of Defence. In this capacity he had the overall responsibility for the policy and planning of the Italian Armed Forces and - as CINCFOR – he did hold planning and command responsibility for Italian Forces participation in NATO, EU and Coalition operations conducted in Afghanistan, Iraq, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, Pakistan and in the United Nations Operation in Lebanon.
As of 27 June 2008, he is the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee.
On 16 November 2011, he was appointed to serve in Prime Minister
Prime minister of Italy
The Prime Minister of Italy is the head of government of the Italian Republic...
Mario Monti
Mario Monti
Mario Monti is an Italian economist and academic who is Prime Minister of Italy, as well as Minister of Economy and Finance, since November 2011. Monti served as a European Commissioner from 1995 to 2004, with responsibility for the Internal Market, Services, Customs and Taxation from 1995 to 1999...
's technocrat cabinet as Defence Minister.
Awards and decorations
Di Paola holds a degree in Strategic and Military Sciences and an “ad honorem” Masters degree in Sciences.His military decorations and awards include the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy
Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi in 1951...
, Meritorious Service Medal for distinguished military service, Commander of Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
(USA), Commandeur de l'Ordre de la Légion d'honneur
Légion d'honneur
The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802...
(France), Commandeur de l'Ordre National du merite (France), Grand Officer of the Order of Infante Don Enrico (Poland), Grand Officer of military virtue with war insignia (RO), UN Medal for UN Peacekeeping Mission in Kosovo.
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Grand Officer of the Military Order of Italy Military Order of Italy The Military Order of Italy is the highest military order of the Italian Republic and the former Kingdom of Italy. It was founded as the Military Order of Savoy, a national order by the King of Sardinia, Vittorio Emanuele I, Duke of Savoy in 1815... |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic Order of Merit of the Italian Republic The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was founded as the senior order of knighthood by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi in 1951... |
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| Maurizian Medal, for 50 years military service | |
| Medaglia d'oro al merito di lungo comando (20+ years) | |
| Medal of Honour for Long-time Maritime Navigation (10 years) | |
| Croce d'oro per anzianità di servizio (ufficiali e sottufficiali, 40 years) | |
| Grand Cross with Swords of the Order pro merito Melitensi Order pro merito Melitensi The Order of Merit pro Merito Melitensi of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a knightly order of merit established in 1920. It is awarded to men and women who have brought honour and prestige to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta or actively promoted Christian values or works of charity... |
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| Knight Commander with Star of the Order of St. Gregory the Great Order of St. Gregory the Great The Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great , was established on September 1, 1831, by Pope Gregory XVI, seven months after his election.It is one of the five orders of knighthood of the Holy See... |
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| Cavaliere di Gran Croce di Merito del "Sacro Militare Ordine Costantiniano di San Giorgio" | |
| Commemorative Medal of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta Order pro merito Melitensi The Order of Merit pro Merito Melitensi of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a knightly order of merit established in 1920. It is awarded to men and women who have brought honour and prestige to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta or actively promoted Christian values or works of charity... |
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Commandeur of the Légion d'honneur Légion d'honneur The Legion of Honour, or in full the National Order of the Legion of Honour is a French order established by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802... |
| Distintivo d'Onore per Sommergibilisti | |
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Chief Commander of the Legion of Merit Legion of Merit The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements... |
| Commandeur of the Ordre national du Mérite Ordre National du Mérite The Ordre national du Mérite is an Order of State awarded by the President of the French Republic. It was founded on 3 December 1963 by President Charles de Gaulle... |
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| Grand Officer of the Order of Prince Henry | |
| United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) Medal United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo or UNMIK is the interim civilian administration in Kosovo, under the authority of the United Nations. The mission was established on 10 June 1999 by Security Council Resolution 1244... |
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