Fernando García Sánchez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fernando Garcia Sánchez
Image of CDS 2016
Chief of the Defence Staff
In office 30 December 2011 – 24 March 2017
Monarch	Felipe VI
Prime Minister	Mariano Rajoy
Preceded by	air general José Julio Rodríguez Fernández
Succeeded by	army general Fernando Alejandre Martínez
Personal details
Born	Fernando Garcia Sánchez (1953-09-25) September 25, 1953 (age 71) Granada, Spain.
Spouse	Jesús Tobío Cendón
Alma mater	Escuela Naval Militar
Military service
Allegiance	Spain
Branch/service	Spanish Navy
Years of service	1971—2017
Rank	Admiral General
Commands	NATO 44.1 Naval group Cataluña (F73) 2nd Minesweeper Squadron 41st Escort Squadron Naval Action Group 2 Chief of the Defence Staff
Battles/wars	Operation Active Endeavor
Awards	National Merit Badge Award

Fernando Garcia Sánchez was born on September 25, 1953, in Granada, Spain. He is a retired Fleet Admiral from Spain. He held a very important job as the Chief of Defence Staff of the Spanish Armed Forces. He was in this role from December 2011 to March 2017. After retiring from the military, he also led the Fundación Iberdrola España starting in 2018.

Early Life and Naval Training

Fernando Garcia Sánchez joined the Spanish Naval Academy in 1971. This is where future naval officers are trained. After finishing his studies, he became a Lieutenant Junior Grade in 1976.

He spent a lot of time at sea, serving on different battleships for over 2000 days. He also went to the Naval Warfare College to get a special diploma.

Military Career and Leadership

As a senior officer, Fernando Garcia Sánchez taught at the Naval Warfare College. He also taught at the Spanish Joint Staff College. In 2003, he was in charge of the Strategic Planning section for the Navy.

He led the NATO 44.1 naval group twice. This group carried out peace missions in the Mediterranean Sea in 2000 and 2001.

He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 2005 and then to Vice Admiral in 2008. On December 30, 2011, he became the Chief of Staff of Defence after being promoted to Admiral. Before this, he was the Chief of Staff of the Maritime Task Force. He was also the deputy Chief of Naval Staff. Fernando Garcia speaks both English and French very well.

He is married to Jesús Tobío Cendón, and they have three children.

Awards and Honors

Fernando Garcia Sánchez has received many awards for his service. These awards come from Spain, France, and NATO.

Awards from Spain

• Grand Cross of Naval Merit
• Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Civil Guard
• Grand Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
• Commander with Star of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
• Commander of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
• Cross of the Royal and Military Order of San Hermenegildo
• Cross of Military Merit
• Cross of Naval Merit
• Cross of the Order Guard Merit of the Civil Guard
• Cross of the Order Police Merit

Awards from France

• Chevalier of the Order of National Merit of the French Republic

Awards from NATO

• NATO Meritorious Service Medal
• Article 5 Medal for Operation Active Endeavor

Images for kids

• 

  Image of CDS 2016