Stefano Cioni was born in Italy in 1976. He joined the Navy in 1996 and was commissioned as an Officer in 1999. He undertook flight training in the USA and graduated as a Naval Aviator. He participated in various activities and operations such as NATO SNMG2 and Active Endeavour (2005 and 2007), Enduring Freedom (2005-2006), UNIFIL (2008). He attended the Centre for Defence Higher Studies in Rome and obtained a Masters Degree in International Strategic Military Studies. He was appointed Commanding Officer of the MHC & Viareggio (2009-2011), the 5th Helo Squadron (2018-2019) and the OPV & Comandante Foscari (2019-2020). In 2020, he joined the Italian Defence General Staff and in 2023 was appointed Seconded National Expert to the EDA. Retired in 2024 with the rank of Captain, he is currently employed at the EDA as Temporary Agent in the Maritime Domain Unit. Stefano Cioni is married with two children.