Military Representative of Portugal Lieutenant General António Fontes Ramos 2000 -

Lieutenant-General António Fontes Ramos was born on 3rd July 1944 and joined the Portuguese Military Academy in 1961 graduating in 1964. He spent his junior officer's years as a platoon commander and instructor at the Infantry School. In 1969, as a Captain, he was posted in Mozambique as a commanding officer of an Infantry Company operating in several operational zones until 1971. Upon his return and following a brief detachment as an instructor at the Military Academy, he attended the Staff Course from 1971 to 1974. From November 1974 to March 1976, Lt General Fontes Ramos served as Staff Officer at the Territorial Command of East Timor. His next assignment was at the Portuguese Staff College as a professor of Intelligence and Strategic Studies. From June 1978 to June 1979 he attended the Command and General Staff Course at Fort Leavenworth and was promoted to the rank of Major during the Course. He returned to the Portuguese Staff College where he remained until August 1981. From 1981 to 1984, still as a Major, he was posted at SHAPE as Staff Officer at the Intelligence Division. From October 1984 to June 1986 he served as Operations Officer of the First Mechanised Brigade having been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1985. From July 1986 to 1991 his assignments included the post of Deputy Commander of the First Infantry Regiment, co-ordinator of staff procedures and tactics at the Staff College, and Commander of a Mechanised Battalion. From June 1991 to December 1992, and as a Colonel, Lt General Fontes Ramos was posted in Angola as Chief of Staff of the Portuguese Mission to the Peace Process Agreements. From December 1992 to August 1995, he was appointed Army ACOS for Operations and attended the Flag Officers Course in 1995/96. He then became Head of the Staff College Strategic Studies Department. Upon his promotion to the rank of Major General, in January 1997, he became Assistant Inspector of the Army and in April 1997 he was appointed the Army Head of Personnel a post he held until he was nominated Military Representative to NATO Military Committee. He promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General in June 26, 2000. Lieutenant General Fontes Ramos attended several NATO courses, including the Staff Officers Course at Oberammergau, the Intelligence Course for ACE officers as Asford, ant the Third Mediterranean General/Flag Officer's Course at the NATO Defence College. He is married to Isabel and they have two adult children: António Pedro and Ana Isabel. Other NATO-related activities Army Delegate in several NATO committees (Intelligence, Operations). Lecturer on intelligence matters during the 1981/84 period at NATO School of Oberammergau. Chairman for the MC 255 update in 1985 and 1987. Head of the Portuguese task Force for the NATO Ministers of Defence Informal Meeting in Vilamoura in 1998. Major awards and decorations First class War Cross Six Distinguished Service Silver Medals Commander of the Military Order of Avis Meritorious Service Medal D. Afonso Henriques Medal (1st class)