Giampaolo Di Paola
| Giampaolo Di Paola | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Minister of Defence | |
|
In office 16 November 2011 – 28 April 2013 |
|
| Prime Minister | Mario Monti |
| Preceded by | Ignazio La Russa |
| Succeeded by | Mario Mauro |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
15 August 1944 Naples, Italy |
| Political party | Independent |
| Alma mater | Nato Defence College |
| Military service | |
| Rank | Admiral |
Giampaolo Di Paola (born 15 August 1944) is an Italian naval officer who served in the government of Italy as minister of defense from November 2011 to April 2013. He was the Italian military's Chief of Staff from 10 March 2004 to 8 February 2008 and served as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2008 to 2011.
Di Paola was born in Naples on 15 August 1944. He holds a degree in strategic and military sciences and an "ad honorem" master's degree in sciences. He joined the Italian Navy in 1963 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1966 as an ensign. In 1967 he attended the Submarine School and underwent fleet training aboard submarines, receiving a promotion to sub-lieutenant on 11 November.
Di Paola was promoted to lieutenant on 31 July 1971. He served in junior officer appointments in conventional submarines and commanded the submarine Cappellini in 1974-1975. He was promoted to corvette captain (lieutenant-commander) on 1 January 1976 and to frigate captain (commander) on 1 January 1980, receiving command of the submarine 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 (promoted 31 December 1986), he commanded the aircraft carrier Garibaldi.
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