Updated | New AFM commander is Jeffrey Curmi, Opposition hits out at appointment

Home affairs minster Manuel Mallia has appointed Colonel Jeffrey Curmi as Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta and promoted to the rank of Brigadier.

Colonel Mark Mallia has been appointed Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta.

Curmi was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and colonel within the space of two weeks, in a move which was strongly criticized by the Nationalist Party, which claimed the promotions were intended at installing Labour sympathisers within the army's higher ranks.

He was promoted to deputy commander soon after the resignation of Brigadier Martin Xuereb from commander of the Armed Froces.

Nationalist MP Jason Azzopardi said Curmi's promotion was the ultimate act in which Labour had taken control of the army.

"Since September, Curmi got four promotions: from major to lieutenant colonel, then to colonel, deputy commander, and now commander. It was equally generous with major Mark Mallia who was promoted three times to reach the rank of deputy commander."

Azzopardi said this was the first time since Malta's accession to the EU in 2004, that the highest two ranks in the army were awarded to two officials who did not followed a junior or advanced staff training in "colleges of high reputation overseas".

"We again reiterate that these promotions are illegal, discount the respect the army should enjoy, and chips away at the professionalism it had built over the years. Curmi's appointment is the result of his friendship with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's family and the fact that he is a Labour sympathizer."

Military record

Curmi joined the AFM 1994. Following a local cadetship course, he attended the Allievi Ufficiali di Complemento course at the "Scuola di Fanteria" in Cesano di Roma, Italy. Curmi attended the Commissioning Course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1996. On completion of the course, and against considerable international competition, he awarded the best overseas student prize - The Cane of Honour - which was presented by HRH The Duchess of Gloucester. He was also awarded the "Nigeria Prize" for the Best Journal, the "Brunei Medal" for extra-curricular activities and the "Whitbread Cup" at the Academy's Skill at Arms Meeting for being the best marksman.

As a Lieutenant, in 1997 he was employed as a Platoon Commander at the 1^st Regiment (Infantry) Airport Security Company. In 1998 he was posted to and appointed as Officer in-Charge of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Troop of the Ammunition and Explosives Company, 3^rd Regiment.

Upon successful completion of the Advanced EOD Course at the Defence EOD School in the United Kingdom, he specialized in conventional munition disposal. Curmi then specialized in Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) at the Army School of Ammunition, in the United Kingdom.

As a Major, in 2007, he was appointed as Officer Commanding of the Ammunition and Explosives Company. In 2011, Curmi was posted to the AFM Headquarters and was appointed as Staff Officer in the Training Branch. In 2012, he attended the Combined Strategic Intelligence Training Programme with the Defence Intelligence Agency in Washington D.C.

 Curmi led an EOD clearance operation of the Maltese Embassy and Consulate in Libya during the Libyan crisis in 2011. The following year he was deployed for a six-month anti-piracy mission as Chief Intelligence Analyst at EUNAVFOR (European Union Naval Forces) Operational Headquarters, Northwood Headquarters, United Kingdom (2012 - 2013). 

Mark Mallia was enlisted in the AFM in 1997 and commissioned as an Officer in July 1998. During his first years in the AFM, Colonel Mallia attended the the Allievi Ufficiali di Complemento (AUC) course at the "Scuola di Fanteria" in Cesano, Italy and later successfully completed the Commissioning Course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, where he was awarded the "Brunei Medal".

Upon his return from the UK, Mallia assumed command of the AFM's Training School and coordinated three Cadetships. He was later appointed as a Unit Adjutant in addition to his appointment as an Officer Commanding of the Armed Forces of Malta Band. He was then moved to the Force's Headquarters and performed duties as a Staff Officer in charge of Discipline, Ceremonial and Personnel.

During these last five years Mallia was the Senior Aide-de-Camp to The President of Malta. At the Office of The President he has also coordinated a number of State Visits, both incoming as well as outgoing.

Mark Mallia holds an Executive Masters in Business Administration, and a Diploma in Management Studies, both from the University of Malta.