He took command of the Australian Defence Force Academy in September 2003. He was promoted to rear admiral and assumed duties as commander of border protection in May 2006. In May 2008, he was appointed commander of joint education, training and warfare (a position retitled in 2009 as "Commander Australian Defence College"). After completing his posting in August 2011, he served as acting commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy until March 2012. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2013.