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 initial training as a Seaman Officer, he was posted to England in 1979 to be the commissioning navigator of HMAS Fremantle the lead vessel of the 15 Fremantle Class patrol boats. Fremantle conducted her delivery voyage from England to Australia in 1980.

In late 1980 Lieutenant Moffitt joined the staff of the Director of Naval Officers Postings in Canberra which included a period as the RAN Contingent Commander on board HM Yacht Britannia during the visit by Queen Elizabeth II to Australia for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Melbourne. Between 1982 and 1988 he undertook surface warfare and specialist navigation courses in England and Australia and served as the navigator in HMA Ships Torrens, Brisbane and Hobart. Moffitt also served as the staff navigator to the patrol boat and mine warfare force commander.

Promoted Commander in June 1989 he served as Executive Officer of the destroyer Brisbane, on the staff of the Director Joint Plans (Headquarters Australian Defence Force) and also undertook the Joint Service Staff Course. Commander Moffitt was the commissioning Commanding Officer of the frigate HMAS Newcastle in late 1993. He relinquished command in May 1995 and then joined the RAN Surface Warfare School, at HMAS Watson, before promotion to Captain in 1996 and serving as the Fleet Operations Officer. Following this he undertook a year of full time study at the Monash Mt Eliza Business School to achieve a Masters in Business Administration. Captain Moffitt then took command of the destroyer HMAS Brisbane for the period August-December 1999.

On promotion to Commodore in late 1999 he was posted to Navy Headquarters as Director General Navy Capability Performance and Plans. In mid-2001 he took command of the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre located at RAAF Base, Williamtown. Promoted Rear Admiral in mid-2002, he served as the Deputy Chief of Navy, Maritime Commander Australia and Deputy Chief of Joint Operations. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the Queens Birthday Honour's List 2004 'For exceptional service to the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Defence Force as the Director General Navy Capability Performance and Plans, Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre and as Deputy Chief of Navy'.

Rear Admiral Moffitt undertook a study into submarine workforce sustainability in 2008, an activity which gave him very useful preparation for his next role as Head of the Future Submarine Program. He was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the Australia Day Honour's List 2008 "For distinguished service as Maritime Commander Australia and Deputy Chief of Joint Operations".

Rear Admiral Moffitt retired from the RAN in 2014.