Deputy Chief of Navy and Head Navy People Training and Resources
The Deputy Chief of Navy (DCN) is the second most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the Chief of Navy Australia. The rank associated with the position is Rear Admiral (2-star).
DCN/HNPTAR has two parallel sets of responsibilities. First, as the manager of Navy Headquarters they are responsible for the alignment of accountability, responsibility, performance and resource management within the Royal Australian Navy. Second they are responsible for managing the Navy’s uniformed integrated workforce (both permanent and reserve personnel) and members of the Australian Public Service. Commodore Training (COMTRAIN) reports to DCN and is responsible for individual and ship level training.
Rear Admiral Chris Smith CSM RAN was appointed Deputy Chief of Navy/Head Navy People Training and Resources on 11 September 2020.
Rear Admiral Christopher Smith
Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, CSM, RAN, assumed the role of Commander Australian Fleet on 16 December 2022. Rear Admiral Smith joined the Royal Australian Naval College in 1989. His seagoing...
List of Previous Deputy Chiefs of Navy
(2018 - 2020)
Vice Admiral Mark Hammond
Mark Hammond joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1986 as an electronics technician, before commissioning as a naval officer in 1988. Graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1990,...
(2016 - 2018)
Vice Admiral Michael Noonan
Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN joined the Royal Australian Naval College in 1984 and graduated in 1986 with a Diploma of Applied Science. He trained as a Seaman Officer and then subsequently...
(2013 - 2016)
Rear Admiral Michael Julian van Balen
Michael van Balen was born in Brisbane, QLD on 16 February 1961 and joined the RAN as a Junior Entry Cadet Midshipman in 1978. After graduating from the Royal Australian Naval College in 1982, he...
(2011 - 2013)
Rear Admiral Trevor Jones
Trevor Jones joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1978 under the Navy scholarship scheme to pursue a career as a seaman officer. After graduating from the University of New South Wales with a...
(2008 - 2011)
Rear Admiral Davyd Rhys Thomas
Davyd Rhys Thomas was born and raised in Newcastle and joined the Navy in 1974. A graduate of the RAN College, he served as a Seaman Officer in a wide variety of platforms, including patrol boats,...
(2006 - 2008)
Vice Admiral Russell Harry Crane
Russell Harry 'Russ' Crane was born in Southport, Queensland on 11 June 1954 and began his naval career as a Junior Recruit at HMAS Leeuwin in 1970, training as an Electrical Mechanic in aircraft...
(2004 - 2006)
Rear Admiral Ronald Maxwell Hancock
Ronald 'Max' Hancock was born on 27 August 1956. Following schooling in Victoria and Queensland, he joined the RAN in 1972, entering the Royal Australian Naval College. He graduated as a Seaman...
(2002 - 2004)
Rear Admiral Rowan Carlisle Moffitt
Rowan Moffitt was born in Sydney on 29 November 1955 and educated there prior to entering the Royal Australian Naval College as a senior entry Midshipman in 1974; graduating at the end of 1975. After...
(1999 - 2000)
Rear Admiral Geoffrey Francis Smith
Geoffrey Francis ‘Geoff’ Smith was born in Sydney on 16 May 1950 and entered the Royal Australian Naval College (HMAS Creswell) in January 1968 as a senior entry Cadet Midshipman. In late 1969 he...
(1999 - 1999)
Vice Admiral Christopher Angus Ritchie
Christopher 'Chris' Angus Ritchie was born in East Melbourne, Victoria on 16 January 1949. Chris Ritchie graduated from the RAN College at Jervis Bay in 1968. He received further training at sea and...
