26 September 2023

Female first for Navy

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Caption: Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan presents Warrant Officer, Deb Butterworth with her promotion certificate.

Warrant Officer Deb Butterworth has been appointed to the role of Warrant Officer of the Royal Australian Navy – the first female to reach the prestigious rank.

The Warrant Officer of the Navy is the Navy’s most senior sailor and the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan and his Senior Leadership Group.

Warrant Officer Butterworth is the ninth person to hold the office since its inception in 1993.

Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds said the appointment was reflective of Warrant Officer Butterworth’s outstanding career and exemplified the depth and diversity of leadership across the Australian Defence Force.

“I also sincerely thank the outgoing Warrant Officer of the Navy, Gary Wight for his dedication, care and strong advocacy in representing the views and concerns of sailors throughout his career, and particularly so over the last three years,” Ms Reynolds said.

Warrant Officer Butterworth’s full biography can be found at this PS News link.

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