Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, the commander of the Armed Forces of Malta, will step aside for his deputy to take over in a ceremony at the Luqa headquarters tomorrow.

The humble blue-eyed Brig. Vassallo, 55, joined the AFM Regular Force as a young lieutenant in 1976, after spending more than two years in the Military Auxiliary Corps. In 1977, he attended basic military training at the Italian Army School of Infantry in Cesano, after which he was appointed platoon commander.

In 1982, he participated in a helicopter pilot course, receiving his military pilot's licence in 1983. He qualified in search and rescue two years later and, as a captain, headed the AFM Helicopter Squadron.

He was promoted to major in 1989 after completing a staff officer's course at the Italian Army War College in Civitavecchia. On his return, he was appointed staff officer operations and training and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1992.

In 1994, he was appointed principal staff officer and promoted to colonel in 1996. Shortly after, he became deputy commander and, eventually, promoted to brigadier and made commander in 1996, the youngest officer to occupy that position in the AFM.

He is married to Mary-Anne and has a son and two daughters.

His successor, Colonel Martin Xuereb, 42, joined the AFM regular forces as a second lieutenant in 1988 and qualified as a physical education instructor at the Military School of Physical Education in Orvieto, Italy. In 1991, Col Xuereb took control of an infantry platoon and was appointed staff officer two in 1993.

In 1996, he was posted to Brussels as a defence attaché and representative to the Partnership Coordination Cell of the Partnership for Peace. On his return a year later, he was appointed adjutant to the first regiment and, in 2000, was attached to Foreign Affairs in Brussels.

In 2006, he was promoted lieutenant colonel and then colonel in 2007. He was appointed deputy commander in 2008.