Captain Mark Mallia joined the Armed Forces of Malta on 7 July 1997. His first year in the army consisted of cadetship training, six months of which were spent in Italy. Then he was commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant and had to undergo a one-year military leadership course at Sandhurst (UK). He was to find that all the training preparing him for the life of an army officer was “very tough and demanding”.

On 7 January 2000 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and on 7 July 2004 to the present rank of Captain. His first involvement with the AFM Band was when he was appointed as their Officer Commanding (OC) in December 2001 when he replaced the former director of Music, Captain George Debono, who retired from the Force some weeks before. Captain Mallia was “extremely surprised” when he was informed of this appointment as he had “no clue” when it came to the set-up of bands and related instruments. He does not play any musical instrument.

The band was at that time in a transition period. The current director of Music, Lieutenant John Ivan Borg, was already earmarked to replace Captain Debono as the bandmaster and he was sent to USA to follow a Bandleader’s course.

Captain Mallia immediately familiarised himself with the band by interviewing all band personnel to get to know them better and he “used” these interviews to ”learn” about music.

As Officer Commanding, he was responsible for administrative matters and for fostering leadership and morale into the bandsmen.

In October 2006, he was posted to the AFM’s main headquarters in Luqa, and therefore had to relinquish his appointment as OC Band. However, his new appointment at the headquarters, apart from various other roles, also entails the role of AFM band’s secretary, so now he administers and coordinates all the band’s commitments. The next concert is next Friday at Teatru Manoel.

How old are you? Star sign and date of birth?

29. Born on 18 January 1978. Capricorn as a star sign.

What would you like to be doing in 10 years’ time?

I have many plans, but prefer to live day by day.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Having always a good bunch of people around me who can always offer generous support.

What is your favourite occupation?

Army officer. Wherever it is.

Significant other?

Wife Annabelle and the two boys – Luke and Jake.

What is your greatest fear?

Death. It scares me.

What is it that you most value in your friends?

Loyalty and trustworthiness. They are fundamental.

How would you like to die?

With a bullet in my head in a battlefield. But please, those on the other end aim for the head. Don’t want to suffer too much.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Nothing in particular. Depends on the situation.

What is your greatest regret?

Not settling abroad while still younger. The older you get, the harder it gets!

What is your most treasured possession?

It must be my hair. Cannot imagine me bald.

Which talent would you most like to have apart from the ones you already have?

To be able to play music and entertain audiences!! A bit ironic isn’t it?

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Lack of self-discipline.

Where would you like to live?

Preferably in Manchester. The closer to Old Trafford the better.

What is your most marked charac-

teristic?

Perfectionist and stubbornness. At least that’s what the others say. They both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Who are your heroes/heroines in real life?

Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United’s manager). His leadership qualities are second to none. Career-wise it must be Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery (Monty).

What is it that you most dislike?

Disorganisation. It irritates me. Backstabbing is also something I can’t stand.

What is your motto?

Work hard, play hard.