Vice-Admiral Drew William Robertson, CMM, MSM, CD

Vice-Admiral Drew William Robertson was the 31st Commander of the Canadian Navy.

 

Vice-Admiral Robertson joined the Canadian Forces (CF) as a Cadet in 1973. He studied at the Royal Military College of Canada.

He served:

• in HMCS Nipigon
• in HMCS Preserver
• in HMCS Kootenay
• at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, British Columbia

In 1985, he took the year-long Combat Control Officer’s Course. He joined the helicopter-carrying destroyer-escort HMCS Skeena in 1986. In 1988, he served at Maritime Command Headquarters (MARCOM HQ).

In 1990, Robertson went to National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) J3 Operations during the First Gulf War. In 1992, he studied at the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College in Toronto. He was promoted to Commander.

In 1993, he became Executive Officer in the replenishment ship HMCS Provider. In 1995, he assumed command of the helicopter-carrying destroyer-escort HMCS Annapolis.

He was made staff officer to the Minister of National Defence in 1996. In 1998, on promotion to Captain(N), he became Director of NATO Policy at NDHQ.

In 1999, he assumed command of the destroyer HMCS Athabaskan. On promotion to Commodore in 2001, he took command of the Canadian Atlantic Fleet. In 2003, on promotion to Rear-Admiral, he served as Director-General International Security Policy at NDHQ.

He was promoted to his current rank in 2006. Vice-Admiral Robertson was appointed Commander Maritime Command and Chief of the Maritime Staff at NDHQ. He served in this position until he retired in 2009.