Germany

official website of the German Navy

Chief of Naval Staff:
Vice Admiral Axel Schimpf

Date of birth: 1 October 1952

Place of birth: Speyer

Married with: Gabriele (01.08.1983)

Children: None

Service: Navy (Surface Warfare)

• 1971: Joined the German Navy, officer training

• 1975 - 1978: Watch Officer and Operations Officer on Fast Patrol Boats

• 1978 - 1981: Commanding Officer of Fast Patrol Boat S-45

• 1982 - 1983: Continued operational training at the "Operationele School" Den Helder, Netherlands

• 1983 - 1985: CIC-/Operations Officer destroyer LUETJENS

• 1985 - 1987: Naval Staff Officer Training at the Federal Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Hamburg

• 1988 - 1989: Executive Officer destroyer LUETJENS

• 1989 - 1990: Federal Ministry of Defense, Naval Staff - Operational Doctrine

• 1990 - 1992: 2nd Senior Military Assistant to the Federal Minister of Defense

• 1992 - 1994: Commanding Officer destroyer LUETJENS

• 1995: Commanding Officer 2nd Frigate Squadron

• 1996 - 1997: Branch Chief, Planning Staff of the Federal Minister of Defense

• 1997 - 2000: NATO, International Military Staff - Plans and Policy, Defence and Force Planning Action Officer

• 2000 - 2002: Assistant Chief of Staff Operations and Deputy Chief of Staff HQ CINCGERFLEET

• 2002 - 2004: Deputy Chief of Staff  Policy, Plans and Operations Ministry of Defence, Naval Staff

• 2004 - 2008: Vice Chief of Staff German Navy

• 2008 - 2010: Commander German Naval Office

• 2010: Chief of the German Naval Staff

Promotions

• 1973: Ensign

• 1976: Lieutenant Junior Grade

• 1979: Lieutenant

• 1985: Commander Junior Grade

• 1990: Commander

• 1995: Captain

• 2002: Rear Admiral

• 2010: Vice Admiral