Vice-Admiral Mark A. G. Norman, CMM, CD

Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was the 34th Commander of the Canadian Navy.

 

Vice-Admiral Norman is the eldest son of an army officer and grandson of a First World War veteran. He completed his schooling in Kingston, Ontario.

He joined the Naval Reserve as a Diesel Mechanic at HMCS Cataraqui in 1980, he transferred to the regular force as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1985.

A specialist in above water warfare, his experience at sea includes a variety of appointments. The most notable posts were:

• commissioning and maiden operational deployment of HMCS Halifax
• Executive Officer of HMCS Iroquois
• Commanding Officer of HMCS Johns
• Commander Canadian Fleet - Atlantic

His staff experiences reflect a mix of both naval and joint appointments in fields such as:

• change management
• training and education
• capability requirements
• analysis and tactical development
• operational and strategic planning

He has held key senior appointments on the Naval Staff, Strategic Joint Staff, in the Vice Chief of Defence Staff organization, as Assistant Chief of Transformation, and most recently as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff/Deputy Commander of the RCN.

Vice-Admiral Norman is a graduate of Queen's University with a degree in Economics. He has also taken:

• Operations Room Officer course
• Above Water Controller course
• Canadian Forces Command and Staff Course
• National Security Studies Program at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto
• US Capstone and Pinnacle Programs

He was promoted to his current rank in June 2013. Vice-Admiral Norman was appointed Chief of the Naval Staff and Commander Royal Canadian Navy.