There are about 3,250 officers in the Guardia di Finanza. Officer cadets for the general and aeronaval branches are recruited through competitive examinations open to Italian citizens, not over 22 years of age, with a high school diploma giving access to university studies. Officer cadets for the technical and logistic branches need a bachelor or master's degree, and to be under the age of 32.[9] Officer cadets for the general and aeronaval branches are trained during three years undergraduate studies at the Accademia della Guardia di Finanza at the campus in Bergamo, followed by two years graduate studies at the campus in Rome. The successful cadets graduate as First Lieutenants with a master's degree in Economic and Financial Security Sciences.[10]
1 The duty of "comandante generale della Guardia di finanza" (corps commanding general) is assigned to a single "generale di corpo d'armata" (corps general).
2 The duty of "vicecomandante generale della Guardia di finanza" (deputy corps commanding general) is assigned to a single "generale di corpo d'armata" (corps general).
There are 24,000 inspectors in the Guardia di Finanza. Participation in the competition for the recruitment of inspectors in the general and naval branches is open to Italian citizens aged between 18 and 26 years, having a diploma of secondary school giving access to university studies.[9] Inspector cadets attend the Scuola ispettori e sovrintendenti della Guardia di Finanza in L'Aquila for three years, at the same time studying at the local university, finally graduating with a bachelor's degree in business law and appointment as warrant officers. Inspectors in the naval branch continue with a year at the nautical school in Gaeta.[11] There are 13,500 superintendents in the Guardia di Finanza. Superintendents are recruited through promotion from the ranks of the senior agents. They are trained at a three-months course at the Scuola ispettori e sovrintendenti della Guardia di Finanza in L'Aquila.[11] There are 28,000 appointees (senior agents) and agents in the Guardia di Finanza. Competition for appointments as agents trainee is open for Italian citizens with one year's enlistment in the Italian defence forces.[9] Recruits are given basic training at either the Recruit School in Bari or the Alpine School in Predazzo.[11]
Notes: 1 The duty of a sostituto ufficiale di pubblica sicurezza luogotenente (substitute officer of public security sub-lieutenant) is not a rank but a position (or function) attributed only to NCOs with the rank of "maresciallo aiutante" (marshal adjutant) with at least 15 years of experience in the rank.
2 The title of "sostituto ufficiale di pubblica sicurezza" or "s.u.p.s." (substitute officer of public security – s.o.p.s.) is not a rank but a position attributed only to NCOs with the rank of "maresciallo aiutante".