Brigadier Carmel Vassallo was appointed Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta on 1st March 2004. Born in Cospicua, Malta on 18th May 1954, he was educated at St. Joseph Secondary Technical School and the Polytechnic. He was commissioned into the Regular Force of the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) in the rank of Lieutenant in May 1976 after spending two and a half years in a Military Auxiliary Corps.

He attended his basic military training at the Italian Army School of Infantry, Cesano, in 1977/78, following which he held the post of Platoon Commander. In 1982, he undertook a helicopter pilot's course and was granted the Italian Military Pilot's licence (helicopters) in June 1983.

He was granted the Search and Rescue (SAR) pilot qualification in 1985. As Captain, commanded the Air (helicopters) Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta for six years. Since 1987, he has represented the AFM on various UN and IMO SAR Seminars and Conferences.

He successfully completed a two-year Staff Officer's Course at the 'Italian Army War College' in Civitavecchia between 1989 and 1991. He was promoted to Major in November 1989.

On his return from Italy, he was appointed Staff Officer Operations and Training at Headquarters AFM. In January 1992, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In addition to Staff Officer duties, he was appointed Commanding Officer of AFM Depot personnel. In 1994, attended the International Peace Academy in Vienna.

He was appointed Principal Staff Officer in February 1994. Promoted to the rank of Colonel on 12th August 1996. Appointed Registrar National Order of Merit in December 1996. Appointed Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces of Malta on 30th December 1996. In 1998, he successfully completed the 'Royal College of Defence Studies' course in London.

Between 2001 and 2004 he was the Maltese military representative on the EU Military Committee.