Rear Admiral Ioannis Retsas HN was born in 1970 and joined the Hellenic Naval Academy in 1987. Upon his graduation in 1991 he was named Ensign of the Hellenic Navy. 

CAREER

For most of his sea tour he served in the Frigates Command of the Hellenic Fleet. He was the XO of HS PSARA from 2003 to 2005 and he commanded HS VOTSIS (FPB, 2006-2007) and HS SPETSAI (FFG, 2012-2014).

He has participated in the following operations: Sharp Guard (HS AEGEON 1994), IFOR (HS HYDRA 1995-1996), Enduring Freedom (HS PSARA 2002), Active Endeavor (HS PSARA 2003). 

As a staff officer, he served in the A’ Branch (Ops) and B’ Branch (Personnel) at the Hellenic Navy General Staff. He also served at the Hellenic Fleet and the Hellenic Navy Training Command.

He was ADC to the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff from 2007 to 2010.

As a Captain, he served 

a. as the Director of the Chief’s Executive Office at the Hellenic Navy General Staff from 2020 to 2023

b. as Commander of the 2nd Frigates Squadron from February 2023 till May 2024.

As a Commodore, he served 

a. as Chief of Staff at the Hellenic Fleet HQ from 2024 till 2025

b. as Commander of the Frigates Command from 2025 to 2026.

In January 2026 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and he was appointed as Commandant of the Hellenic Naval Academy.

MILITARY TRAINING & EDUCATION

Rear Admiral Retsas is a H/C and MPA Controller (not active) and has received Communications specialization both in Greece and the UK. In 2011 he graduated from the Advanced Command and Staff Course (JSCSC, Shrivenham, UK) and in 2019 he graduated from the Hellenic National Defence College.

ACADEMIC EDUCATION

He studied at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey, California, US (1999-2002) and was awarded dual degree: MSc in Electrical Engineering and MSc in Systems Engineering.

In December 2011 he was awarded MA in Defence Studies from King’s College London, completing the necessary studies during his attendance at the Advanced Command and Staff Course in UK. 

He speaks English.

He has been married to Evdoxia (Evie) Spyropoulou since 1998 and they have three children: Thanos (2002), Anastasia (2003) and Vangelis (2006).