Christophe Prazuck | |
---|---|
Born | Oran, Algeria | 11 October 1960
Allegiance | France |
Service/ | French Navy |
Years of service | 1979–present |
Rank | Amiral |
Commands | Chief of Staff of the French Navy FORFUSCO SIRPA Marine Floréal Amphibious Ship Champlain |
Awards | Commander of the Legion of Honour Knight of the National Order of Merit Commander of the Order of Maritime Merit |
Christophe Prazuck (born 11 October 1960) is a French naval officer. He was promoted to amiral and appointed the Chief of Staff of the French Navy on 13 July 2016.
The son of Amiral Stéphane Prazuck, [1] Christophe Prazuck entered to the École Navale (French : École navale ) in September 1979. After the application school on the Jeanne d'Arc, he was assigned from 1982 to 1984 on the patroller Altaïr then on the Amphibious disembarking transport ship Champlain, based at the Réunion. He remained primarily in the zone around the Indian Ocean until his next posting as second commanding officer of the patroller Épée in Mayotte. [2]
From 1984 to 1989, Prazuck joined the Submarine Forces, serving first on the Ouessant , then on the Doris as an operations officer; he was then an officer marked «armes» at the commission of practical studies. [2]
From 1989 to 1991, Prazuck was a candidate at the United States Naval Postgraduate School at Monterey, California, where he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Physical oceanography (Physical behavior study of the oceans). Following that formation, he directed naval environmental cell of Toulouse. [2]
In 1994, Prazuck became second in command of the command and supply ship Var, before assuming command of the amphibious ship Camplain the following year. [2]
In 1996, Prazuck integrated the Inter-arm Defense College (École de guerre), and became chief of the operations group (CGO) on board the anti-submarine frigate Tourville . In 1999, he assumed command of the Floréal based in Reunion. [2]
In 2000, Prazuck joined the Information Service and Public Relations of the Armies (French : Service d'informations et de relations publiques des armées) – Marine (SIRPA – Marine) where he exercised the function of second in command, before assuming the lead role in 2001 for a period of three years. In 2004, he was placed at the head of the Media department of Communication and Information Defense Delegation (French : Délégation à l'information et à la communication de la Défense) (DICoD), then in 2006, he became the communication counselor of the Chief of the general staff headquarters of the Armies CEMA. [2]
On 1 August 2009, Prazuck was nominated to the rank of contre-amiral (Counter-Admiral) and assumed, in August 2010, the commandment of Maritime Force of the Fusiliers Marins and Commandos (FORFUSCO) in Lorient. [2]
Promoted to vice-amiral d’escadre (Squadron vice-admiral), he became, in August 2010, the director of military personnel of the French Navy and deputy chief of the general staff headquarters – Human resources – of the general staff headquarters of the French Navy (French : état-major de la Marine). [2]
By a Ministerial Council (French : Conseil des ministers [ fr ]) Decree decision on 6 July 2016, Prazuck was designated as Chief of Staff of the French Navy (French : Chef d'état-major de la Marine, CEMM) and was elevated to the rank designation of amiral, as of 12 July, [3] by replacing Amiral Bernard Rogel, who had been promoted to Chief of the Military Staff of the President of the Republic (French : Chef d'État-Major du Président de la République [ fr ]).[ citation needed ]
The French Navy, informally La Royale, is the maritime arm of the French Armed Forces and one of the four military service branches of France. It is among the largest and most powerful naval forces in the world recognised as being a blue-water navy. The French Navy is capable of operating globally and conducting expeditionary missions, maintaining a significant overseas presence. The French Navy is one of eight naval forces currently operating fixed-wing aircraft carriers, with its flagship Charles de Gaulle being the only nuclear-powered aircraft carrier outside the United States Navy, and one of two non-American vessels to use catapults to launch aircraft.
The title chief of staff identifies the leader of a complex organization such as the armed forces, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a principal staff officer (PSO), who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide-de-camp to an important individual, such as a president, or a senior military officer, or leader of a large organization.
The French Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, also known as CECMED is a French Armed Forces regional commander. He commands the zone, the region and the Mediterranean maritime arrondissements. He is usually an admiral of the French Navy, and is under the direct authority of the French Chief of the Defence Staff. As of 2015 the position was held by Admiral Yann Tainguy.
A maritime prefect is a servant of the French government who exercises authority over the sea in a particular region known as a maritime prefecture. As of 2024, there are three maritime prefects in metropolitan France, based in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin, Brest and Toulon.
The rank insignia of the French Navy are worn on shoulder straps of shirts and white jackets, and on sleeves for navy jackets and mantels. Until 2005, only commissioned officers had an anchor on their insignia, but enlisted personnel are now receiving them as well. Although the names of the ranks for superior officers contain the word "Capitaine", the appropriate style to address them is "Commandant", "Capitaine" referring to "lieutenant de vaisseau", which is translated as lieutenant. The two highest ranks, Vice-amiral d'escadre and Amiral (Admiral), are functions, rather than ranks. They are assumed by officers ranking Vice-amiral (Vice-Admiral).
Counter-admiral Gabriel Paul Auphan was a French naval officer who became the State Secretary of the Navy of the Vichy government from April to November 1942.
The Chief of the Naval Staff is a French general officer, adviser to the Chief of the Defence Staff for the French Navy and responsible to the Minister of the Armed Forces for preparing the Navy for its engagement. Since 1 September 2023, the Chief of the Naval Staff has been Admiral Nicolas Vaujour.
Jean-Louis Georgelin was a French Army General who was Chief of the Defence Staff between 4 October 2006 and 25 February 2010. From 9 June 2010 until 2016 he served as Great Chancellor of the French national order, the Légion d'honneur.
Pierre-François Forissier is a notable French Admiral Submariner and former Chief of Staff of the French Navy, a post which he took up, on February 4, 2008 and left on September 12, 2011.
General Elrick James Martial Irastorza is a French general, formerly Chief of Staff of the French Army. He has served a career in marine paratrooper infantry, notably in oversea operations.
Amiral Édouard Guillaud is a retired French Naval Officer and Admiral. He devoted a significant part of his career to the design of the Charles De Gaulle aircraft carrier, and eventually captained carrier de Gaulle. He served as Chief of the general staff headquarters of the Armies CEMA from 25 February 2010 to 2014.
Admiral Georges Cabanier was a French Naval Officer and Admiral, in addition to Grand Chancellor of the Legion of Honour.
Jean-Marie Querville, was a French Navy officer of the Free French Naval Forces, a Compagnon de la Libération, became the Commander-in-Chief for the Mediterranean, then Maritime Prefect, following as an inspector general of the Marine Nationale and admiral.
Admiral Antoine Schwerer was a French naval officer. He served in varied roles in many parts of the world, and published a number of technical papers. He rose through the ranks to become an admiral during World War I (1914–18). After retiring in 1924 he was involved with the right-wing and monarchist League of the Action Française. He was president of the League from 1930 to 1935.
Bernard Rogel is a French admiral, Chief of the Military Staff of the President of the Republic, and former Chief of Staff of the French Navy, a post which he took up on 12 September 2011 until 13 July 2016.
Maurice Schmitt, is a French general and chief of the general staff headquarters of the Armies (CEMA) from 16 November 1987 until 23 April 1991. He was then appointed as Governor of Les Invalides until 1996.
Jean-Charles-Alexandre Sallandrouze de Lamornaix was a French admiral who served as the Chief of Staff of the French Navy from 1896 to 1898. He died on the Formidable in Cherbourg Harbour. He was decorated with the French Legion of Honor, Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Anna, the Order of Saint Stanislaus, the Order of Aviz, the Order of Christ of Portugal, the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Order of the Medjidie, the Order of the Sacred Treasure and the Order of the Crown of Siam.
Émile Jean Chaline was a French admiral and member of the French Resistance. A member of the Free French Naval Forces, he served his career with the French Navy at the rank of squadron vice-admiral.
Pierre Vandier is a French naval officer who served as Chief of Staff of the French Navy.
Jean-Philippe Rolland is an admiral of the French Armed Forces, he was Commander of the Naval Action Force since August 31, 2017, and concurrent Chief of the Military Staff of the President of the Republic.