Gen. C.A. Gaetano Zauner elected as President of USMIA Esercito

It had been in the air for several days. Today it is official. In football terms, we would unhesitatingly call it the “coup of the year”: today, November 24, 2025, General of the Army Corps Gaetano Zauner, former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, was elected unanimously as President of USMIA – Esercito.

A choice that marks a significant transition for the association, entrusting its leadership to one of the most qualified figures in the entire Defense landscape, capable of bringing experience, vision, and authority to the highest levels of personnel representation.

A unanimous election in the name of continuity

The election of General Zauner represents a significant transition for the Unione Sindacale Militare Interforze Associati (USMIA), entrusting the leadership of the Army sector to an officer with over forty years of operational and top-level experience in the Armed Forces.

Commenting on the outcome of the vote was the USMIA Secretary General, 1st Lieutenant Leonardo Nitti, who stated:

I wish our President a fruitful work. We are honored that General ZAUNER has accepted to take on the role, given his extraordinary professional experience and deep understanding of Defense dynamics. USMIA will continue with the President to focus its action on improving the living and working conditions of the military, promoting with determination every initiative useful to strengthen their protection, well-being, and professional dignity, enhancing our specificity.

Words that underline the association's desire to continue on a path of constructive dialogue with institutions, keeping the military person, their family, and the recognition of the specificity of the role at the center.

The profile of General Gaetano Zauner

Born in Palermo, General of the Army Corps Gaetano Zauner, now retired, attended the 163rd Course of the Military Academy of Modena, then continued his studies at the School of Application of Arms in Turin, from which he graduated as a Lieutenant of the Infantry.

During his long career, he held numerous and prestigious command positions, leading among others:

• the 1st Battalion of the 152nd Regiment “Sassari”;
• the 62nd Regiment “Sicilia” in Catania;
• the 132nd Armored Brigade “Ariete”, of which he was the 56th Commander from 2011 to 2013.

He also held top roles in the Army General Staff structures, including:

• Head of the Land Transformation Department of the Army General Staff;
• Head of General Financial Planning Department;
• Chief of Staff of the Joint Operational Command;
• Commander of the Land Operational Forces Command;
• Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army.

Internationally, he served as Deputy Commander at the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Turkey (NRDC-T) in Istanbul, confirming a highly significant profile even in the multinational context.

His operational experience includes missions in some of the main international theaters of recent decades, including:

• Kosovo – Operation Joint Guardian (Battalion Commander);
• Macedonia – Operation Essential Harvest (Battalion Commander);
• Bosnia – Operation Althea (Commander of the national contingent);
• Lebanon – Operation UNIFIL (Commander of the Joint Task Force “Lebanon”).

For his activities, he received numerous honors, including the Silver Cross of Army Merit, the Bronze Cross of Army Merit, the Mauritian Medal, the Gold Medal for Long Command Merit, UN, NATO, and EU decorations for international operations, in addition to the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.

A leadership that strengthens USMIA – Esercito

With the election of General Zauner, USMIA – Esercito reaffirms its mission: to represent military personnel in a historical moment characterized by profound regulatory and operational changes.

The experience gained by Zauner at the top of the Army and in major operational commands constitutes a significant added value for the association, called to face future challenges in personnel protection, the enhancement of the military profession, and the strengthening of dialogue with institutions.

We extend our best wishes to General Zauner for his new role at the helm of USMIA – Esercito.