Lieutenant Commander Mitchell Thomas
Lieutenant Commander Mitchell Thomas enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in 2006 as a Seaman Officer. After completing initial training at HMAS Creswell and HMAS Watson he conducted sea consolidation in HMAS Arunta (II). He then posted to the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in 2007 where he studied a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in History and Politics. Graduating from ADFA in 2009, he was promoted to Sub Lieutenant and returned to Watson to continue his training.
Over the next 18 months, Sub Lieutenant Thomas completed his Seaman Officer training and subsequently attained his Bridge Watch Keeping Certificate (BWC) during deployment to the Middle East whilst conducting Operation SLIPPER onboard HMAS Parramatta (IV) in 2012. On return from the Middle East he undertook the Intermediate Navigation Course and posted to Ardent Four as the Navigating Officer where he undertook multiple deployments on Operation RESOLUTE.
After a short period of respite ashore working for the National Port Services Organisation in Sydney, Lieutenant Thomas continued his Navigation training at Watson, conducting the Surface Combatant Navigation Course and graduating Dux in 2016. Lieutenant Thomas then posted to HMAS Toowoomba (II) and assumed duties as the Navigating Officer. During this posting he participated in various regional engagement activities including Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) and Regional Presence Deployment (RPD), and international exercises including TALISMAN SABRE, RIMPAC and BERSAMA Series.
On completion of his posting to Toowoomba, Lieutenant Thomas, commenced duties as the Deputy Port Services Manager of Fleet Base West in 2018, but was shortly thereafter required to further continue his navigation training at Watson, undertaking the Advanced Navigation Course, where he again graduated Dux, was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and posted to HMAS Sirius as the Navigation/Operations Officer in 2019. During his posting to Sirius he again undertook multiple deployments on IPE/RPD and international exercises including RIMPAC and BERSAMA Series. Whilst posted to Sirius Lieutenant Commander Thomas also completed his Masters in Military History through ADFA.
After Sirius Lieutenant Commander Thomas conducted a posting to Sea Training Group as the Deputy Fleet Navigation Officer. During his tenure he supported multiple units in developing their navigation departments and providing assurances that the ships were safe to proceed to sea and undertake operations.
After 15 years of hard work and dedication to service, Lieutenant Commander Thomas was rewarded with selection as Commanding Officer of HMAS Maryborough (II). He assumed command in January 2022.
