Historic appointment for Navy Commodore

Commodore Mark Mellett is set to become the most senior Irish naval officer in the history of the State following his appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) of the Defence Forces.

It is expected that once a range of institutional issues are addressed, Commodore Mellet will become the first Rear Admiral in the history of the Irish Defence Forces.

Defence Minister Alan Shatter confirmed his appointment which was agreed after a Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Commodore Mark Mellett DSM #Naval Service appointed by Govt as Deputy Chief of Staff (Sp) of @defenceforces tday pic.twitter.com/b13QYh60xP

— Óglaigh na hÉireann (@defenceforces) November 5, 2013

Commodore Mellett, from Castlebar in Co Mayo, joined the Navy in 1976.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) in 1994 in recognition of the role of his ship, the LE Orla, in the detention of the drug smuggling yacht ‘Brime’.

His first command was the LÉ Orla in 1992 and he subsequently commanded the LÉ Ciara in 1997 and the Irish Naval Flagship LÉ Eithne in 2005.

He has held a broad range of appointments in the Naval Headquarters in Haulbowline, Co Cork, and more recently as Commandant of the Naval College and associate head of the National Maritime College of Ireland in Ringaskiddy.

Prior to his appointment as Flag Officer in 2010 he was Officer Commanding Naval Operations Command.

He has a PhD in Oceans Governance from the National University of Ireland, Galway and M Com in Government and Public Policy from University College Cork.

He is a distinguished graduate of the US Naval War College Newport RI where he was the top graduate of the 32 attending countries.

He is married to Liz and has four children, Laura, Sean, Lisa and Patrick.