Colonel Gabriele VACCA was born on September 24th 1977, in Naples, Italy.
In 1992 he enlisted at the Nunziatella Military School (205th Course 1992 - 1995).
In 1995 he was admitted to the Modena Military Academy (1995 - 1998), completing with the 178th Course the five-year training at the Scuola di Applicazione in Turin (1998 - 2001).
Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Infantry Corps in 2001 with Bersaglieri specialty, he was assigned to the 8th Bersaglieri Regiment in Caserta with the assignement of Platoon Commander and later Deputy Company Commander.
In 2005, he was transferred to the 78th Regiment "Lupi di Toscana" in Florence where he served as Company Commander.
In 2008, he was transferred to the "Granatieri di Sardegna" Mechanized Brigade Command in Rome where he held the post of Personnel and Legal Section Officer and later Personnel and Legal Section Chief.
In 2015, he was assigned to the Army General Staff - I Department of Personnel Legal and Economic Affairs, where he held the position of Attaché Officer at the 2nd Non-Commissioned Officers and Troops Section of the Recruitment, Legal Status and Advancement Office.
In 2018 he is transferred to the 7th Bersaglieri Regiment in Altamura where he served as Battalion Commander.
In 2019 he is transferred to the 17th Volunteer Training Regiment "ACQUI" in Capua where he served as Battalion Commander.
In 2020 he is assigned to the Defense General Staff as Chief of the Personnel Documentation Section in the Office of the Sub-Chief.
On October 03th 2022, he is assigned to the 11th Bersaglieri Regiment, where he assumes the post of Regiment Commander as of October 07th 2022.
Assignments held in operational theater:
Op. "Joint Guardian" - Kosovo 2001 (Platoon Commander);
Op. "Decisive Endeavour" - Kosovo 2003 (Platoon Commander); Op. "Antica Babilonia" - Iraq 2004 / 2005 (Deputy Company Commander);
Op. "Joint Enterprise" - Kosovo 2008 (JIC Officer);
Op. "ISAF" - Afghanistan 2011 / 2012 (Military Assistant to the Deputy Commander/Branch Officer J1/);
Op. "MIASIT" - Libya 2019 (Commander Security Task Group).
Professional Training:
Parachuting qualification;
Advanced patrol course;
Thompson Mortar Specialization;
Driving School Instructor;
European Computer License;
English Language;
36th Staff Course (2011);
Qualified Adviser Course for the Application of International Humanitarian Law in Armed Conflict and Crisis Response Operations;
17th ISSMI Course (2014);
Legal Adviser in the Armed Forces;
Worker training in occupational health and safety protection;
Specialist in human resource management - Supervisor;
Battalion/Group Commanders Course (2018);
Training for Managers (2019);
Corps Commanders Course (2022).
Qualification:
Bachelor's degree in strategic science;
Bachelor's degree in political science;
Master's Degree in Peace Building Management;
Master's degree in Management of Typical Armed Forces Proceedings;
Master's Degree in International Strategic-Military Studies.
Honors:
Silver-plated paratrooper metal badge without star;
Advanced Patrolman;
NATO Commemorative Medal - Operations In Kosovo;
NATO Commemorative Medal - Operations in the Balkans;
Commemorative Cross for Operations Safeguarding Free Institutions and Maintaining Public Order;
Commemorative Cross for Operations in Kosovo;
Military Driving School Instructor;
Silver Cross for Seniority in Military Service (16 years);
NATO Medal Operation ISAF in Afghanistan;
Commemorative Cross for Operations Socc. Mant. Sic. Intern. in Afghanistan;
Bronze Medal for Long Command in the Army (10 years);
ISSMI course;
Gold Cross for Length of Service (U/SU 25 years);
National Commemorative Cross for participation in the Bilateral Assistance and Support Mission in Libya.
Colonel VACCA is married to Mrs. Vanessa