10 Facts About Russ Shalders

Russ Shalders served as Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 2002 to 2005, and as Chief of Navy from 2005 to 2008.

Russ Shalders entered the Royal Australian Naval College at Jervis Bay as a 16-year-old cadet midshipman in 1967.

Russ Shalders returned as operations and anti-submarine warfare officer aboard HMAS Vendetta, then was an officer's posting officer in Canberra.

On promotion to commodore, Russ Shalders was appointed as director general, joint exercise plans and then director general, operations policy and doctrine and director general, information strategic concepts.

Russ Shalders returned to the fleet to become commodore of flotillas in January 1998, responsible for the operational efficiency of all fleet units.

Russ Shalders was appointed as head, Defence Personnel Executive in 2001.

Russ Shalders was promoted to vice admiral and appointed as Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2002.

Russ Shalders was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours list of 2003.

On 23 May 2005, the Minister for Defence announced that Russ Shalders would succeed Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie as Chief of Navy from July 2005 for a three-year term.

Russ Shalders retired from this position, and the navy, on 4 July 2008.