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Chief of Staff of the Navy
Insignia del Almirante Jefe del Estado Mayor de la Armada (España) (Reglamentaria).svg
Flag of the Admiral Chief of Staff of the Navy
Emblem of the Military staff of the Spanish Navy.svg
Emblem of the General Staff of the Navy
Incumbent
Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez

since 25 April 2023
Naval Staff
Ministry of Defence
Style The Most Excellent
Abbreviation AJEMA
Member of Naval Staff
National Defence Council
Council of Chiefs of Staff
Reports to Minister of Defence
Seat Spanish Navy Headquarters, Madrid
Nominator Defence Minister
After being discussed in the Council of Ministers
Appointer Monarch
Countersigned by the Defence Minister
Term length No fixed term
Constituting instrument Royal Decree of 13 July 1895
Formation 13 July 1895; 130 years ago (1895-07-13)
First holder Zoilo Sánchez de Ocaña y Vieitiz
Deputy Second Admiral Chief of Staff of the Navy
Website Website of the Spanish Navy Staff
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Spanish Navy Headquarters in Madrid

The Chief of Staff of the Navy (AJEMA) is the highest-ranking military officer in the Spanish Navy. This person leads the naval branch under the Minister of Defence. The AJEMA is also the main military advisor for naval matters. They advise the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Minister of Defence, and other important leaders.

The AJEMA has two main responsibilities. First, they offer advice to the Minister of Defence on naval policy. They also advise on how to use naval personnel and their readiness for action. Second, the AJEMA prepares the Navy for combat and trains military personnel. They also organize the Navy and look after the well-being of its members.

The AJEMA leads the Naval Staff (EMA), which is a key group that helps them. The EMA assists the AJEMA with organizing the Navy and managing its resources. Many military officers work for the EMA. Important officers include the Second Admiral Chief of Staff of the Navy and the Admiral of the Fleet.

Admiral Carlos Martínez-Merello y Díaz de Miranda temporarily held the position. He took over after Admiral General Antonio Martorell Lacave passed away on March 31, 2023.

History of the AJEMA Role

How the Position Started

The role of AJEMA was created on July 13, 1895. At the same time, the Naval Staff was formed. This new position replaced the old role of Under Secretary of the Navy. Only officers with a rank of at least Rear admiral could hold this job.

Changes Over the Years

In 1899, the Undersecretary of the Navy role was brought back. It took over the duties of the Naval Staff. Because of this, the AJEMA position disappeared in 1900.

Later, in December 1902, the Central Staff of the Navy (EMCA) was created. Its leader was again called the Chief of the Central Naval Staff. This role was removed in August 1903. However, a new law in 1908 brought the EMCA back once more. The AJEMA then became the head of a board that advised the Minister of the Navy.

In 1927, the EMCA was replaced by a new department. This department was led by a Vice Admiral. Then, in 1930, the Naval Staff (EMA) was created again. The Chief of Staff of the Navy role also returned. By December 1930, the leader was officially called the AJEMA.

The Civil War and Beyond

During the Spanish Civil War, both sides had their own naval leadership. After the war ended, the Spanish government kept the Naval Staff. The Chief or Admiral Chief of Staff of the Navy has led it ever since.

List of Chiefs of Staff of the Navy

This table shows the people who have served as the Chief of Staff of the Navy.

No. Rank Name Appointed Dismissed
Rear admiral Zoilo Sánchez de Ocaña y Vieitiz 14 July 1895 19 March 1896
Rear admiral Fernando Martínez de Espinosa y Echeverri 19 March 1896 22 October 1896
Rear admiral Segismundo Bermejo y Merelo 22 October 1896 1 April 1897
Rear admiral Ismael Warleta Ordovás 20 August 1897 †9 August 1898
Rear admiral Manuel Mozo y Díaz Robles 30 March 1899 25 October 1899
Rear admiral Antonio Terry y Rivas 25 October 1899 20 April 1900
Ship-of-the-line captain Antonio Moreno de Guerra y Cróquer 20 April 1900 7 November 1900
Rear admiral José María Pilón y Sterling 20 April 1900 7 November 1900
Vice admiral Pascual Cervera y Topete 28 December 1902 19 August 1903
10º Rear Admiral Federico Estrán y Justo 17 January 1908 10 June 1909
11º Rear Admiral José de la Puente y Bassave 10 June 1909 19 April 1910
12º Vice Admiral Joaquín María de Cincúnegui y Marco 19 April 1910 27 September 1912
13º Vice Admiral Francisco Chacón y Pery 27 September 1912 4 July 1913
14º Admiral Antonio Perea y Orive 5 July 1913 5 September 1914
15º Vice Admiral Orestes García de Paadín y García 5 September 1914 19 January 1915
16º Admiral José Pidal Rebollo 19 January 1915 23 March 1918
17º Admiral Adriano Sánchez Lobatón 24 March 1918 21 November 1919
18º Admiral José María Chacón y Pery 21 November 1919 13 May 1920
19º Admiral Gabriel Antón Iboleón 13 May 1920 † 2 February 1924
20º Admiral Ignacio Pintado Gough 8 February 1924 10 June 1924
21º Admiral Juan Carranza y Garrido 10 June 1924 4 May 1927
22º Admiral José Rivera Álvarez de Canero 4 May 1927 28 November 1927
23º Vice Admiral José Núñez y Quijano 28 October 1930 22 December 1930
24º Vice Admiral Juan Cervera Valderrama 28 November 1927 21 August 1931
25º Vice Admiral Francisco Javier de Salas González 25 September 1931 19 July 1936
Beginning of the Spanish Civil War
Vacant from 19 July–2 September 1936
Disputed Corvette captain Spain Miguel Buiza Fernández-Palacios 2 September 1936 27 October 1937
Disputed Corvette captain Spain Luis González de Ubieta 27 October 1937 8 January 1939
Disputed Ship-of-the-line captain Spain Miguel Buiza Fernández-Palacios (2nd term) 8 January 1939 5 March 1939
Disputed Admiral Juan Cervera Valderrama (2nd term) 28 October 1936 1 April 1939
End of the Civil War
26º Admiral Juan Cervera Valderrama 1 April 1939 16 August 1939
Functions assumed by the Ministry of the Navy from 16 August 1939 to 23 September 1942
27º Admiral Alfonso Arriaga Adam 23 September 1942 26 March 1951
28º Admiral Rafael Estrada Arnaiz 26 March 1951 17 October 1952
29º Admiral Juan Pastor Tomasety 24 October 1952 26 July 1956
30º Admiral Felipe José de Abárzuza y Oliva 21 August 1956 25 February 1957
31º Admiral Santiago Antón Rozas 4 May 1957 17 January 1963
32º Admiral Jerónimo Bustamante de la Rocha 17 January 1963 10 August 1963
33º Admiral Fernando Meléndez Bojaro 10 August 1963 25 February 1966
34º Admiral Rafael Fernández de Bobadilla y Ragel 26 February 1966 6 May 1967
35º Admiral Adolfo Baturone Colombo 6 May 1967 29 October 1969
36º Admiral Enrique Barbudo Duarte 7 November 1969 7 July 1972
37º Admiral Gabriel Pita da Veiga y Sanz 7 July 1972 22 June 1973
38º Admiral José Ramón González López 22 June 1973 27 September 1975
39º Admiral (*) Carlos Buhigas García 27 September 1975 19 November 1977
40º Admiral (*) Luis Arévalo Pelluz 23 November 1977 15 January 1982
41º Admiral (**) Saturnino Suanzes de la Hidalga 15 January 1982 11 January 1984
42º Admiral (*) Guillermo Salas Cardenal 11 January 1984 31 October 1986
43º Admiral (**) Fernando María Nárdiz Vial 31 October 1986 18 May 1990
44º Admiral (**) Carlos Vila Miranda 18 May 1990 14 February 1994
45º Admiral (**) Juan José Romero Caramelo 14 February 1994 27 June 1997
46º Admiral (***) Antonio Moreno Barberá 27 June 1997 15 December 2000
47º Admiral General Francisco José Torrente Sánchez 16 December 2000 30 April 2004
48º Admiral General Sebastián Zaragoza Soto 30 April 2004 18 July 2008
49º Admiral General Manuel Rebollo García 18 July 2008 27 July 2012
50º Admiral General Jaime Muñoz-Delgado y Díaz del Río 27 July 2012 1 April 2017
51º Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón 1 April 2017 27 January 2021
- Admiral Fausto Escrigas Rodríguez (acting) 27 January 2021 10 February 2021
52º Admiral General Antonio Martorell Lacave 10 February 2021 31 March 2023
- Admiral Carlos Martínez-Merello y Díaz de Miranda (acting) 31 March 2023 26 April 2023
53º Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro 25 April 2023 Incumbent

(*) Promoted after their death to Admiral General in 1999. () Given the honorary title of Admiral General in 1999. (*) Promoted to Admiral General while still in office.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jefe de Estado Mayor de la Armada (España) para niños

  • Chief of the Defence Staff
  • Ministers of Defence
  • Captain general of the Navy
  • Spanish Navy
  • Chief of Staff of the Army
  • Chief of Staff of the Air Force
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