Chris Ritchie
Christopher Angus (Chris) Ritchie AO - Vice Admiral, Royal Australian Navy
Chief of Navy (3 July 2002 - present)
Born: 16 January 1949
Career highlights
- Graduated from the RAN College at Jervis Bay in 1968.
- Received further training at sea and in the United Kingdom before undertaking a succession of seagoing appointments and a staff appointment at the NATO School of Maritime Operations at HMS DRYAD.
- Commands have included HMAS TARAKAN, HMAS TORRENS, and HMAS BRISBANE.
- During his period in command of HMAS BRISBANE the ship deployed to the Arabian Gulf, where she participated for the duration of the Gulf War.
- In 1991, as a result of this service, he was appointed a Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia.
- In 1992, he attended the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom.
- On completion he was promoted to Commodore and had appointments in Naval Policy and Warfare, and Military Strategy and Concepts.
- In 1997 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed as Maritime Commander Australia.
- From May 1999, served briefly as Deputy Chief of Navy.
- Soon appointed as Head of Capability Systems in the Australia Department of Defence.
- As a consequence of his service in these appointments he was promoted to Officer in the Military Division of the Order of Australia in January 2001.
- He was appointed as Commander Australian Theatre on 3 August 2001. He was the first Commander to have previously served as a Component Commander (for Navy) to the Headquarters.
- Assumed command of the Royal Australian Navy from Vice Admiral David Shackleton at 0001K (midnight, Australian Eastern Standard Time) 3 July 2002.
