Commanding Officer NHQ South Australia
Commander Michael Doherty, RAN
Commander Michael Craig Doherty, RAN joined the Royal Australian Navy through the Naval College in January 1982, electing to become a Seaman Officer. Following his academic studies and Seaman Officer Application training, Doherty proceeded to sea in HMAS Sydney (FFG 03) in 1985 in order to gain Bridge Watchkeeping (BWC) qualifications.
Following the award of his BWC and a period of consolidation in Sydney, Doherty joined the Fleet Replenishment ship, HMAS Success as Officer of the Watch and Gunnery Officer in 1988. Following an abbreviated posting to Success Doherty undertook Air Intercept Controller training at RAAF Base Williamtown and upon graduation returned to sea in HMAS Darwin (FFG 04) in Dec 1988.
On completion of his posting to Darwin in 1990 Doherty was posted to RAAF Base Jindalee, a Joint Air Force/Navy project located at Alice Springs as Operations Officer and Senior Naval Representative. Following a brief secondment to Maritime Headquarters he was posted in 1993 to HMAS Watson for Principle Warfare Officer training; graduating in 1994, at which time he undertook an exchange with the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) serving as Gunnery Officer onboard HMNZS Waikato (FFH). Doherty left Waikato in 1996, having been selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander, and was posted as AWWO onboard HMAS Adelaide (II) (FFG 01). In addition to several multi-national exercises and deployments a highlight of this posting was the rescue of solo Round-the-world yachtsmen Tony Bullimore and Thierry Dubois in January 1997.
In 1998 Doherty was posted to the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC) in the position of AWW Operations instructor. During this posting Doherty was seconded to the then Headquarters Australian Theatre during the 1999 East Timor crisis.
Leaving the ADFWC in 2000 Doherty undertook the RAN Staff Course, where he was awarded the Lonsdale Medallion, prior to posting to Maritime Headquarters as Operations Co-ordinator responsible for day-to-day oversight of Fleet activities. During this posting Doherty was selected for Command of HMAS Ipswich (II), a position he commenced in June 2002. Highlights of his Command included participation in Workup/ORE and operations in support of Border protection and fisheries enforcement. Additionally Ipswich deployed to the Solomon Islands in support of the whole of Government support to Regional Assistance Mission – Solomon Islands (RAMSI) in 2003.
Following his Command, Doherty undertook a posting as Personal Staff Officer to the Deputy Chief of Navy in 2004 until his promotion to Commander in 2005 and his appointment as the Deputy Commander Joint Operations’ Liaison Officer to COMUSNAVCENT / COM5th FLT in Bahrain for the period Jan – Jul 2005. On his return CMDR Doherty was posted as the Assistant Director Naval Officers’ Postings where he was responsible for the career management of all non-Seaman Commanders and Chaplains.
In 2007 CMDR Doherty undertook a two-year exchange with the United States Navy when he undertook an appointment as the RAN’s Liaison Officer to the US Navy Warfare Development Command in Newport, Rhode Island during which time he was selected for his current appointment as Commanding Officer, Navy Headquarters – South Australia, a position he commenced in Jan 2010.
CMDR Doherty is married to Pauline and together they have three children; Aaron, Liam and Hannah. He holds a Masters degree in Business Admin and, whilst enjoying most sports, retains an ageing dedication to rugby union, soccer and cycling. His passions include his family, vegetable gardening and a developing, albeit uneducated, interest in wine.
