Alberto VEZZOLI
Major General Alberto Vezzoli is the Commander of the Italian Army Alpine Troops and an Alpini officer with extensive command, training and operational experience in mountain forces and multinational operations.
His career has been closely connected with the development, training and operational employment of mountain troops. After graduating from the Military Academy of Modena, he was commissioned as an Alpini officer and initially assigned to the “Susa” Alpini Battalion. He subsequently served at the Alpine Military School in Aosta, the 7th Alpini Regiment, the Alpine Troops Command and in several national and multinational headquarters.
He commanded the “Susa” Alpini Battalion, the 3rd Alpini Regiment and, from 2018 to 2021, the “Julia” Alpine Brigade. His career therefore combines experience from the tactical level to senior command, military education, strategic planning and the preparation of forces for demanding operational environments.
Deployed to Bosnia in 2002 as part of NATO's Stabilisation Force.
Served in Afghanistan in 2008–2009 with OMLT VI and returned in 2010 as Commander of the “Susa” Alpini Battalion and Deputy Commander of Task Force Centre.
Served at KFOR Headquarters in 2014 before assuming command of the 3rd Alpini Regiment in 2015.
From August 2020 to January 2021 he commanded Train Advise Assist Command – West (TAAC-W) in Herat.
General Vezzoli's professional experience spans the full spectrum of mountain-force development, from the training of individual soldiers and junior leaders to battalion, regimental and brigade command.
Early in his career he served at the Alpine Military School in Aosta, where he held several training and command appointments. He later served within the Alpine Troops Command as Chief of the Future Planning Section, combining his operational mountain background with longer-term force planning.
He subsequently commanded the 3rd Alpini Regiment and the “Julia” Alpine Brigade. His senior appointments have also included the command of the Italian Army NCO School and the Army Simulation and Validation Centre, providing additional experience in military education, training, simulation and force preparation.
After serving as Chief of Staff of the Alpine Troops Command, Major General Vezzoli assumed command of the Italian Alpine Troops on 20 April 2026.
Major General Vezzoli is a graduate of the Italian Joint General Staff Course and holds a degree in Political Science, as well as Master's degrees in Strategic Sciences and International Military-Strategic Studies.
He also attended the United States Army War College, where he earned a Master's degree in Strategic Studies.
In addition to his mountain warfare qualifications, he is a military parachutist, military physical training instructor, military teacher and qualified Legal Adviser for the Armed Forces.
Drawing on the experience of the Italian Alpine Troops, Major General Vezzoli will address how mountain forces must prepare for the evolving operational environment.
His contribution will focus on the relationship between training, operational readiness and force structure: which mountain warfare skills must be preserved, which new competencies must be developed, and how the organisation of mountain forces should evolve to meet current and future operational requirements.