Giampaolo Di Paola 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 became Chairman of the NATO Military Committee in 2008 . Early life and education . 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 . Career . 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 " . 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 ) . He was promoted to rear admiral ( commodore / rear admiral ( lower half ) ) on 31 December 1993 . 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 served as 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 divisional admiral ( rear admiral ; promoted 31 December 1997 ) , he assumed the position of Chief of the Cabinet Office of the Ministry of Defence . On 1 January 1999 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 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 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 2008 to 15 November 2011 , he was the chairman of the NATO Military Committee . On 16 November 2011 , he was appointed to serve in Mario Monti ' s cabinet as minister of defense . His tenure ended in April 2013 and Mario Mauro replaced him in the post . Awards and decorations . 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 .