Ray Griggs (admiral)
Encyclopedia
Vice Admiral
Raymond James "Ray" Griggs AM, CSC
, RAN
(born 1961) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy
and has been the Chief of Navy
(CN) since 7 June 2011.
He entered the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell
on a "short service commission" in 1979.
In his early years, Griggs served on the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and HMA ships Yarra and Advance. He then spent 12 months with the Royal Navy
on HMS Jersey where he gained his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate. In late 1981 he was posted to HMAS Perth as a Bridge Watchkeeper and deployed to the North West Indian Ocean.
Promoted to Lieutenant, from 1983 to 1994 he completed a series of postings as Navigating Officer of HMA Ships Cessnock, Torrens, Tobruk, Jervis Bay and Perth. Other roles included: aide-de-camp to His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, Sir James Plimsoll
; two postings in the Navy's officer career management directorate; Staff Officer (Navigation) to the Commander Australian Patrol Boat Forces; and at Australian Defence Headquarters in Canberra, Deputy Director Military Strategy as Lieutenant Commander, and Director Future Warfare as Captain.
frigates into service.
In October 2001 he assumed command of the ANZAC class frigate HMAS Arunta and was immediately involved in border protection duties as part of Operation RELEX. Arunta then deployed to the Persian Gulf to enforce United Nations sanctions against Iraq and in support of "The War on Terror". The ship was recognized for her efforts by being awarded the Duke of Gloucester's Cup for being the most operationally efficient ship in the RAN fleet for 2002.
In 2003 he was posted as the ANZAC class Capability Element Manager in Rockingham, Western Australia
. In 2004 he studied at the National War College
in Washington D.C., prior to assuming command of the Australian Amphibious Task Group in mid 2005.
He was promoted to Commodore in February 2006 and appointed as the Deputy Maritime (Fleet) Commander until assuming the position of Director General Navy Strategic Policy and Futures in Navy Headquarters in September 2007. In February 2008 he was seconded to the Defence White Paper team where he led the development of the Force Structure Review that provided the force structure underpinning the 2009 White Paper.
In early 2009 he attended the UK Higher Command and Staff Course
and was subsequently promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed as Deputy Head Strategic Reform and Governance.
In May 2010 he was posted as Deputy Chief of Joint Operations
.
in 1997, a Commendation for Distinguished Service in 2003 for his work in the Persian Gulf, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009.
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Vice Admiral (Australia)
Vice admiral is the second-highest active rank of the Royal Australian Navy and was created as a direct equivalent of the British rank of vice admiral. It is a three-star rank...
Raymond James "Ray" Griggs AM, CSC
Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)
The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
, RAN
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(born 1961) is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
and has been the Chief of Navy
Chief of Navy (Australia)
The Chief of Navy is the most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Navy, responsible to the Chief of the Defence Force and the Secretary of Defence...
(CN) since 7 June 2011.
Early career
Griggs joined the Adelaide Port Division of the Royal Australian Navy Reserve in 1978 as a radio operator.He entered the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell
HMAS Creswell
HMAS Creswell is a shore establishment of the Royal Australian Navy, a part of the Australian Defence Force, and consists of the Royal Australian Naval College , The RAN School of Survivability and Ship's Safety, Kalkara Flight, the Beecroft Weapons Range and an administrative support...
on a "short service commission" in 1979.
In his early years, Griggs served on the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne and HMA ships Yarra and Advance. He then spent 12 months with the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
on HMS Jersey where he gained his Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate. In late 1981 he was posted to HMAS Perth as a Bridge Watchkeeper and deployed to the North West Indian Ocean.
Promoted to Lieutenant, from 1983 to 1994 he completed a series of postings as Navigating Officer of HMA Ships Cessnock, Torrens, Tobruk, Jervis Bay and Perth. Other roles included: aide-de-camp to His Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, Sir James Plimsoll
James Plimsoll
Sir James Plimsoll AC, CBE, KStJ was an Australian diplomat and Governor of Tasmania.-Life and career:Plimsoll was born in Sydney and educated at Sydney Boys' High School . He graduated with a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney 1938 and was appointed to the Bank of New South...
; two postings in the Navy's officer career management directorate; Staff Officer (Navigation) to the Commander Australian Patrol Boat Forces; and at Australian Defence Headquarters in Canberra, Deputy Director Military Strategy as Lieutenant Commander, and Director Future Warfare as Captain.
Command career
From 1995 to 1997 he served as commissioning Executive Officer of HMAS Anzac, helping to bring the ANZAC classAnzac class
The Anzac class frigates are a ship class of ten frigates operated by the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy from 1996 to present....
frigates into service.
In October 2001 he assumed command of the ANZAC class frigate HMAS Arunta and was immediately involved in border protection duties as part of Operation RELEX. Arunta then deployed to the Persian Gulf to enforce United Nations sanctions against Iraq and in support of "The War on Terror". The ship was recognized for her efforts by being awarded the Duke of Gloucester's Cup for being the most operationally efficient ship in the RAN fleet for 2002.
In 2003 he was posted as the ANZAC class Capability Element Manager in Rockingham, Western Australia
Rockingham, Western Australia
Rockingham is a suburb and primary centre in Western Australia south-west of the Perth city centre and south of Fremantle. It has a beachside location at Mangles Bay, the southern extremity of Cockburn Sound. To its north stretches the maritime and resource-industry installations of Kwinana and...
. In 2004 he studied at the National War College
National War College
The National War College of the United States is a school in the National Defense University. It is housed in Roosevelt Hall on Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C., the third-oldest Army post still active. It was officially established on July 1, 1946, as an upgraded replacement for the...
in Washington D.C., prior to assuming command of the Australian Amphibious Task Group in mid 2005.
He was promoted to Commodore in February 2006 and appointed as the Deputy Maritime (Fleet) Commander until assuming the position of Director General Navy Strategic Policy and Futures in Navy Headquarters in September 2007. In February 2008 he was seconded to the Defence White Paper team where he led the development of the Force Structure Review that provided the force structure underpinning the 2009 White Paper.
In early 2009 he attended the UK Higher Command and Staff Course
Higher Command and Staff Course
The Higher Command and Staff Course is a staff course for senior military officers of the United Kingdom armed forces and allies. It is taught at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom....
and was subsequently promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed as Deputy Head Strategic Reform and Governance.
In May 2010 he was posted as Deputy Chief of Joint Operations
Chief of Joint Operations (Australia)
Until September 2007, the Vice Chief of the Defence Force was "double hatted" as the Chief of Joint Operations . In this role he commanded Australian Defence Force operations on behalf of the Chief of the Defence Force...
.
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, University of QueenslandUniversity of QueenslandThe University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
- Master of Business Administration, National Graduate School of Management, Australian National UniversityAustralian National UniversityThe Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
- Master of Science (National Security Strategy), National Defense UniversityNational Defense UniversityThe National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
, Washington D.C.
Honours and awards
Griggs was awarded the Conspicuous Service CrossConspicuous Service Cross
Conspicuous Service Cross can refer to:* Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross...
in 1997, a Commendation for Distinguished Service in 2003 for his work in the Persian Gulf, and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009.
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Member of the Order of Australia (AM) | 2009 |
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Conspicuous Service Cross Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia) The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations... (CSC) |
1997 |
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Commendation for Distinguished Service Commendation for Distinguished Service The Commendation for Distinguished Service is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force, it is awarded for the distinguished performance of duties in warlike operations. The Commendation for Distinguished Service was introduced in 1991 and replaced the Imperial... |
2003 |
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Australian Active Service Medal Australian Active Service Medal The Australian Active Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorised 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in warlike operations... |
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Afghanistan Medal Afghanistan Medal (Australia) The Afghanistan Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2004. The Afghanistan Medal is awarded to Australian defence force personnel who served in or around Afghanistan after 11 October 2001... |
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Australian Service Medal Australian Service Medal The Australian Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorized 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in peacekeeping and non-warlike operations. It is awarded with a clasp to denote the prescribed operation and subsequent awards of the medal are made in the form of... |
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Defence Force Service Medal Defence Force Service Medal The Defence Force Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force... |
with 3 Bars (30-34 Years Service) |
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Australian Defence Medal Australian Defence Medal The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service... |
