RADM PD Briggs AO CSC RAN (rtd)

Rear Admiral Peter Briggs was born in Lismore, NSW and commenced training at the Royal Australian Naval College in 1961, graduating in 1964. He was awarded the Memorial Sword as the top Midshipman of his year. Following training at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and warfare training with the Royal Navy, Rear Admiral Briggs saw the light and joined the RAN’s fledgling submarine service.

On completion of submarine training he was awarded the Max Horton prize as the top graduate and served as Torpedo and Navigation Officer of HMS OTTER. After standing by HMAS OVENS during building at Greenock in Scotland he served as the Navigation Officer during her work up and return to Australia. This appointment was followed by service as a Year Officer at the RAN’s Naval College, the Sonar Officer and Executive Officer of HMAS OXLEY, prior to completing the Royal Navy’s Submarine Commanding Officers Qualifying Course in 1975.

Command of HMAS OTWAY and HMAS OXLEY was interspersed with the Royal Navy Staff Course at Greenwich. Promoted Commander in 1980, he served as the Director, Submarine Warfare Systems Centre during its formation, accomplishing the introduction of a new combat system, shore simulator and software support centre of the RAN’s submarine force. On completion of this appointment he was promoted Captain and admitted as a member of the Order of Australia (AM). He attended the Joint Services Staff College, Canberra, prior to taking up command of the RAN Submarine Squadron and HMAS PLATYPUS in 1986-87.

After serving as the Director of Submarine Warfare at Navy Office, Canberra, he was promoted to Commodore in December 1989, and attended the Indian National Defence College during 1990.
Rear Admiral Briggs served as the Naval Officer Commanding Western Australia and Commanding Officer HMAS STIRLING in 1991-92 during a formative period of the RAN’s Fleet Base in the West. As a result of this service he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 1993, prior to taking up the posting as Commodore Training, heading the embryonic Naval Training Command. He was promoted to Rear Admiral on 1 November 1993 and became the Flag Officer Naval Training Command. As a result of this service he was admitted as an officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in June 1997. In July of that year Rear Admiral Briggs was appointed as Head of Strategic Command within Australian Defence Headquarters.

Rear Admiral Briggs was selected as Head of the new Submarine Capability Team on 1 July 1999. In May 2000 a new position was created in the Defence Material Organisation, Head Systems Acquisition (Submarines). RADM Briggs currently fills both positions.

He is married with a son and daughter. Brit and Peter are keen social tennis players, he also plays bridge, social golf, is a keen bushwalker and offshore yachtsman.

Source: RAN Defence Website