he entered the hellenic naval academy on 20 may 1884 and graduated on 18 june 1888 as a line ensign. he was subsequently promoted to sub-lieutenant (8 january 1890), lieutenant (14 november 1896), lt. commander (6 may 1905), and commander (29 march 1910). he served aboard various ships and in staff positions, including as instructor at the navy academy (1908–09), and as captain of the destroyer "nafkratousa" (1906), the ironclad "psara" (1910–11), the troop carrier "sfaktiria" (1911 and 1912), and of the newly delivered cruiser "georgios averof" (1911), as well as chief of staff of the exercise squadron (1911).