In October 1927 he entered the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno, attending a course of five years.Franco Martinelli, ”Breve sogno". Gli ultimi della Decima MAS. Storie di vita, 1943-1945, p. 24. In July 1932 he graduated as ensign and was assigned to the heavy cruiser Trieste; between April and May 1933 he was executive officer on the torpedo boat .
