Warrant Officer Mark Tandy today started his appointment as the 6th Warrant Officer for the Royal Australian Navy (WO-N), taking over from the current WO-N WO James Levay. The WO-N is Navy’s most senior sailor. The major role of the WO-N is to provide advice to the Chief of Navy and senior management of the concerns and opinions of Sailors. The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral (VADM) Russ Crane AM, CSM, RAN, welcomed WO Tandy into this position.

“WO Tandy brings with him into this position a wealth of experience, particularly in HR, recruiting, and leadership and training,” said VADM Crane.
I would also like to thank this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the current WO, James Levay, for his outstanding support provided to Navy. During his past three years in this position, WO Levay has represented the interests of his constituents powerfully, with compassion and I am sure WO Tandy will do the same.”

WO Tandy is looking forward to his new role as WO-N.

“It is a great honour and privilege, and I am looking forward to working the Chief of Navy to embrace his future workforce direction, whilst at the same time, ensure that Sailors are best represented.”

WO Tandy joined the RAN in 1982 with his most recent postings including Chief Petty Officer Leadership Development Program Co-ordinator at HMAS Creswell, and OIC Career Management Cell in the Directorate of Sailors’ Career Management.

His appointment is for two years.

WON Mark Tandy - Biography

Mark Tandy was born in Roebourne Western Australia, went to school in Tennant Creek and Darwin in the Northern Territory and enlisted into the Royal Australian Navy as a Radio Operator in 1982. He has served as a communications operator/supervisor in a wide range of establishments and ships. Shore postings have included HMA Ships Albatross, Coonawarra, Harman, Cerberus and ADF Recruiting Unit Townsville. Sea postings have included HMA Ships Jervis Bay, Canberra, Cessnock, Warrnambool, Dubbo, Success and a short time in Vampire.

In 2000, then CPO Tandy was posted to the Communications School at Cerberus as Senior Instructor Radio Frequency Management (SIRFM). As SIRFM, he trained ADF and foreign personnel in-country as well as conducting foreign training courses in the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand.

Promoted to Warrant Officer in December 2002, he assumed the challenging position of Operations Officer Naval Communications Area Master Station Australia (NAVCAMSAUS) during Gulf War 2.

In 2004, WO Tandy joined the Royal Australian Naval College at Creswell as one of two course instructors facilitating the Chiefs’ Leadership and Development Program (CLDP). During his posting to Creswell WO Tandy received a Commanding Officer’s Commendation and a Navy Systems Command Quarterly Contribution Award.

In 2005, WO Tandy was selected to participate in Exercise LongLook and conducted a four month exchange with the Royal Navy (RN). Employed as a Lead Instructor at the Command and Training Group (CTG) HMS Collingwood, WO Tandy gained valuable experience in how the RN prepares their Senior Rates for Command and Leadership roles.

WO Tandy attended the Single Service Component of the Command and Staff course held at Weston Creek in 2007. He holds a Masters in Maritime Studies.

On completion of the Command and Staff course WO Tandy was posted to the Directorate of Sailors' Career Management as the Officer-in-Charge of the Submarine and Seaman categories Cell.

WO Tandy was selected as Command Warrant Officer Career Management in August 2008 but did not take up the position as he was selected to be the sixth Warrant Officer of the Navy (WON) in October 2008. WO Tandy assumed the WON appointment on 19 December 2008.