Rear Admiral David Mann, CSC, RAN joined the Royal Australian Naval College in 1989. His sea postings have included HMA Ships Geelong, Brisbane, Dubbo and Melbourne under training and Melbourne again as the Fighter Controller. As a Principal Warfare Officer he served in HMAS Darwin (twice), HMAS Adelaide and in Sea Training Group as the Fleet Gunnery Officer. He has enjoyed Joint postings as the Navy Air Defence Instructor at RAAF Williamtown, in Capability Development Group, as Directing Staff at the Australian Command and Staff College and a short period as the Director of Maritime Operations at Joint Operations Command. Rear Admiral Mann has completed deployments in support of Operation Warden/Stabilise in East Timor, Operations Slipper, Falconer and Catalyst in the Middle East and border protection Operations Relex and Resolute. He was the Executive Officer of HMAS Anzac and the Commanding Officer of HMAS Darwin. His staff positions have included the Director Navy Capability Needs Analysis within Navy Headquarters for which he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross and on exchange in US Pacific Fleet Command, N5 Policy and Plans Directorate for which he received the United States Legion of Merit. On promotion to Commodore in May 2018 he was appointed as Director General Surface Combatants and Aviation. Rear Admiral Mann served as Commander of the Surface Force from December 2020until December 2022. Following promotion to his current rank, he assumed the newly created role of Head Joint Capabilities in January 2023. Rear Admiral Mann has a Master of Arts in Strategy and Security. He is arried to Nicole and they have two young daughters.