Vice Adm. Dimitrios-Eleftherios Kataras assumed the position of Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff (HNGS), the highest-ranking naval officer in Greece, in January 2024. He oversees naval operations, strategy and policy.
Kataras’ distinguished career in the Hellenic Navy began in 1987 when he graduated as an Ensign from the Hellenic Naval Academy. His career includes operational assignments on board surface units, mainly frigates, where he served in various roles including CIC, Communications/EW, Operations, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer. His staff assignments include Frigates Squadron One Ops Officer; duty in the Comms / IT Directorate of HNGS; Head of the Warfare Officer Department, Personnel and Career Directorate of HNGS; Deputy Director for Frigates Programs, Procurement Directorate, HNGS; Director of Personnel and Career Directorate, HNGS; Director of the Operational Evaluations Directorate at Fleet Command; and DCoS Weapons, Electronics, Logistics Plans/Policy, Infrastructure, HNGS. Stationed abroad he served as Naval Attaché of Greece in Rome. Kataras has also served as Commander of Patrol Boats Squadron, Commander of Frigates Squadron Two, Commander of Frigates, Superintendent of the Hellenic Naval Academy, Deputy Commander in Chief of the Hellenic Fleet, and Commander of Hellenic Navy Education/Training Command.
Kataras is also an alumnus of the NATO Defense College and the Hellenic Joint War College and is a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece (Electrical Engineer).
It has been almost 30 years since I walked on the stage of King Hall and received my M.Sc. Degree diplomas. After so many years, knowledge usually fades, but the method and the “engineering approach” to problem solving cultivated in NPS remains. In the beginning of our journey, as young Naval Officers, NPS equipped us with invaluable tools that have accompanied us throughout our careers.
The rigorous academic environment at NPS cultivates critical thinking, where early on, as students, we practice advanced synthesis and analysis techniques. Later on, as leaders, this intellectual framework guides our conduct and defines our decision-making process, allowing us to accurately assess situations, manage risks, exploit opportunities and evaluate options under time-sensitive conditions.
Overall, NPS graduates are better prepared to handle the multifaceted challenges associated with military leadership, address effectively the complexities of the modern security environment and interpret credibly the trade-offs between risk and opportunity, thus having a significant impact on mission success.
Looking back, I am grateful that I had the opportunity to conduct my research in an emerging scientific area that was at the forefront of drone technology at the time, Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). In the process, I had the pleasure to have access and exploit a wide range of lab resources and field experimentation options to explore my thesis theoretical findings. I consider myself very fortunate, since drone technology today constitutes a critical factor in addressing a wide range of challenges and threats in Naval Operations. Current events and modern warfare highlight the fast pace of drone technology development and the need for agile adoption of commercial off the shelf technology.
Modern warfare becomes increasingly reliant on rapid technological innovation. In this development, NPS Alumni have a clear advantage, as they are equipped to understand and implement cutting-edge technology in defense operations, recognizing its significance in improving mission efficiency and effectiveness. Additionally, they learn to appreciate and promote innovation and transformation, become capable of adapting to swiftly evolving technological landscapes, integrating and leveraging these advancements in military applications. Moreover, they comprehend how to streamline procurement and acquisition processes, in order to timely deploy COTS technologies, adopting agile responses to emerging threats. A great manifestation of this approach is the utilization of drone technology in Maritime Security Operations.
In this regard, I would like to note an article of mine published in the “Proceedings International” in March, where I stress the importance of being innovative and following the principles of transformation, with the objective to remain relevant and credible. In fact, during the International Alumni Symposium in Garmisch earlier this month, I had the opportunity todiscuss with NPS President, Vice Adm. Ann E. Rondeau, USN (Ret.) about the decisive contribution of the Naval Innovation Center (NIC) to Research & Development at NPS, as well as explore potential cooperation options with the Hellenic Navy.
The Naval Postgraduate School does not merely produce technically proficient officers but also provides the appropriate platform for international students to interact alongside U.S. military officers. This interaction, combined with the fact that common methods, practices, knowledge bases and understanding of global issues are cultivated, promotes interoperability, ensuring that partner nations can work seamlessly with U.S. forces in joint operations. General Cavoli’s speech in the recent NPS Europe International Alumni Symposium in Garmisch highlights this aspect in the most evident way, stating that the NPS Alumni network “is a vital resource that provides us with unparalleled opportunities”.
However, these relationships built at NPS extend way beyond the classroom; they serve as a form of soft power forming the foundation for military-diplomatic ties among nations. Forged through common academic experiences, principles and values, they help build trust, respect and mutual understanding between future leaders, which can influence diplomatic relations and defense cooperation outside of conventional military engagements.
The Hellenic Navy and Greece recognize this high value of NPS and therefore are dedicated to maintaining the Greek footprint on campus. It is worth noting that since 1961, 692 officers from the Hellenic Navy have graduated from NPS.
Allow me to start by sharing a quote from a highly respectable NPS Alumni, U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro that addresses this question perfectly: “Stay in touch with each other. You’ll find that the bonds you’ve forged at NPS through intense studies, late nights, and committed problem solving, will last a lifetime, …old classmates are new allied leaders.”
This statement is fully aligned with my beliefs and consistent with my intentions. The NPS Alumni network may serve as an excellent foundation for future military alliances. NPS fosters multinational relationships by uniting students who later assume leadership positions, directly influencing defense policy in their respective countries.
Moreover, the NPS alumni network, strengthened through international events like the Alumni Symposium, is a key driver of collaboration and knowledge sharing in the global defense community. Staying connected with fellow NPS graduates and faculty ensures that alumni remain up to date on evolving defense practices, allowing them to leverage a vast network of expertise.
It was with great pleasure, unique privilege and profound honor that during the Alumni Symposium I was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award of the Naval Postgraduate School. However, the most valuable part of this venue was the fact that it constituted a beautiful trip down memory lane. Inevitably, I found myself recollecting a Lieutenant Junior Grade, registering in Herman Hall and running between lectures and labs in Spanagel.
International events like the Alumni Symposium, contribute decisively in maintaining the NPS alumni network “alive”, since face-to-face interactions build interpersonal relationships and trust, essential ingredients for a sincere and effective military cooperation.
May these international events reinforce the bonds formed among alumni and mark the beginning of a new era for NPS, becoming a beacon for the next generation of our officers, with the aspiration that they take our favorite Postgraduate School to new heights.
