 Promoted to Captain in 1984, he was appointed Weapon Systems Director for the "Upholder" class of submarines and then Commander of the Weapon Engineering Training Establishment .Promoted to Commodore in 1990, he became Director of Personnel at the Ministry of Defence and was awarded the CBE for his service during the Gulf War.Following promotion to Rear Admiral, he was made Naval Secretary in 1992 and Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Equipment Capability) in 1994 as Vice Admiral.