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
(1997 - 1999)
Rear Admiral Christopher John Oxenbould
Christopher John Oxenbould was born on 19 November 1946 in Cremorne, Sydney and educated at Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore). He entered the RAN College as a junior entry Cadet...
(1994-1995)
Rear Admiral David John Campbell
David John Campbell was born in Brisbane in 1945 and joined the Navy as a 15-year-old. He graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College, Jervis Bay, as the Queen's Medallist. After fleet...
(1991)
Vice Admiral Robert Andrew Kevin Walls
Robert Walls was born at Colac, Victoria and educated at country schools before joining the Royal Australian Navy College (HMAS Cerberus) as a Cadet Midshipman in the last 13-year old entry, in...
(1991 - 1994)
Vice Admiral Rodney Graham Taylor
Rodney Graham Taylor was born at Toowoomba, Queensland on 11 June 1940 and joined the RAN as a 13-year old junior entry cadet midshipman in 1954. He undertook his initial training at the Royal...
(1990-1991)
Vice Admiral Ian Donald George MacDougall
Ian Donald George MacDougall was born in Sydney on 23 February 1938 and joined the Royal Australian Naval College as a 15-year old Cadet Midshipman in January 1954. He graduated the following year...
(1989 - 1990)
Rear Admiral Kenneth Allan Doolan
Kenneth Allan 'Ken' Doolan was born in Hurlstone Park, Sydney on 15 January 1939. He attended Kyogle Primary School, Wilston State School and Kedron State School before entering the Royal Australian...
(1985-1989)
Rear Admiral Neil Ralph
Neil Ralph was born at Carlton, Melbourne on 25 June 1932 into a family of eight children. His family resided in Ararat where he undertook his education and after completing high school he worked as...
(1982- 1983)
Rear Admiral Geoffrey John Humphry Woolrych
Geoffrey John Humphry Woolrych was born at Townsville, Queensland on 6 May 1930. He entered the RAN College (then at Flinders Naval Depot) in February 1944 and gained his sporting colours for rugby...
(1981-1982)
Rear Admiral Peter Hogarth Doyle
Peter Hogarth Doyle was born in Lithgow, NSW on 27 September 1925 and educated at Caulfield Grammar School, Melbourne and Trinity Grammar School in Sydney. He entered the Royal Australian Naval...
(1979 - 1981)
Rear Admiral John Dixon Stevens
John Dixon Stevens was born in Perth, Western Australia on 27 May 1927 and educated at Kalamunda State School. Of quite humble origins, his father died of heart disease when John was in primary...
