The Deputy Chief of Navy is the second-most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), responsible to the Chief of Navy.

Rear Admiral Darren Grogan CSM RAN

Key appointments

Deputy Chief of Navy (June 2026 – present)

Biography

Rear Admiral RADM Darren Grogan CSM RAN assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Navy on 04 June 2026. RADM Grogan was born in Melbourne, Victoria and is the proud son of a former senior enlisted sailor. RADM Grogan joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1988 as a Supplementary List Officer through the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell.

His career as a Navigation Specialist Surface Warfare Officer spans a broad range of platforms, demonstrating extensive operational experience at sea. His principal seagoing highlights include Command of HMA Ships Ipswich, Sirius and Success, reflecting proven leadership and sustained excellence in command.

RADM Grogan’s shore service includes a range of roles within the joint operations environment, notably serving as J3 Northern Command and as Military Assistant to the Chief of Joint Operations. His broader shore experience also includes appointments as Assistant Director of Naval Officer Postings and as Captain Sea Training Group. A highlight of his early career was his appointment as a Navigation Instructor at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, an opportunity he regarded as a significant professional honour.

RADM Grogan’s Flag appointments include Director General Maritime Operations and Australian Naval Attaché to the United States in Washington DC. During his tenure in Washington, he was honoured to serve as Dean of the Corps of Foreign Naval Attachés. Most recently, he served embedded within the United States Pacific Fleet as Deputy Director of Maritime Operations.

RADM Grogan was awarded the Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) in the Australia Day 2021 Honours List for his contributions to Border Protection operations while serving as J3 Northern Command. He was also recognised internationally with the United States Legion of Merit (Degree of Officer) for his distinguished service as Naval Attaché in Washington DC. Academically, RADM Grogan holds a Master of Science (Military) from the UK Defence Force-run Mubarak al-Abdullah Joint Command and Staff College in Kuwait, as well as a Master of Arts in Strategy and Policy from the University of New South Wales.