Giampaolo di paola biography books
Giampaolo Di Paola
Italian politician (born )
Giampaolo Di Paola (born 15 August ) is an Italiannaval officer who served in the government of Italy as minister of defense from November to April He was the Italian military's Chief of Staff from 10 March to 8 February and served as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from to
Early life and education
Di Paola was born in Naples[1] on 15 August He holds a degree in strategic and military sciences and an "ad honorem" master's degree in sciences. He joined the Italian Navy in and graduated from the Naval Academy in as an ensign. In he attended the Submarine School and underwent fleet training aboard submarines, receiving a promotion to sub-lieutenant on 11 November.
Career
Military career
Di Paola was promoted to lieutenant on 31 July He served in junior officer appointments in conventional submarines and commanded the submarine Cappellini in – He was promoted to corvette captain (lieutenant-commander) on 1 January and to frigate captain (commander) on 1 January , receiving command of the submarine Sauro (–81).
In he attended the NATO Defense College in Rome. From to 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 , he assumed command of the frigateGrecale. In , he was appointed to the Navy Staff in Rome as Plans and Programs Branch Chief in the Directorate of Financial Planning. From to , as a Captain (promoted 31 December ), he commanded the aircraft carrierGaribaldi.
In Di Paola returned to the Navy Staff and was appointed as Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff (–91), then as Chief of Naval Plans and Policy Branch (–92), and finally as Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans and Operations (–94). He was promoted to rear admiral (commodore/rear admiral (lower half)) on 31 December 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) Di Paola was assigned to the Defense Staff in , at the Ministry of Defense. Here he served as chief of the Directorate of Defense Policy between and 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 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 to , with the rank of divisional admiral (rear admiral; promoted 31 December ), he assumed the position of Chief of the Cabinet Office of the Ministry of Defence. On 1 January he was promoted to squadron vice-admiral (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 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 and MEADS. He was promoted Admiral on 10 March on becoming Chief of Defense. 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. From 27 June to 15 November , he was the chairman of the NATO Military Committee.[1]
Political career
On 16 November , Di Paola was appointed to serve in Mario Monti's cabinet as minister of defense.[1] His tenure ended in April and Mario Mauro replaced him in the post.[2]
Other activities
Awards and decorations
Di Paola's 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 Legion of Honour (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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