Warrant Officer of the Navy

Author

Editorial Staff

Subjects

Influential People

Tags

Honours and awards, Warrant Officer

RAN Ships

None noted.

Publication

March 2023 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)

The previous incumbent, WO Deb Butterworth OAM CSM & Bar, held this prestigious position for three years until December 2022 when WO Andrew Bertoncin OAM became the tenth Warrant Officer of the Navy. In a unique ceremony in Navy Office, on stepping down as Warrant Officer of the Navy Deb Butterworth received a one stage promotion to Commander and after 33 years service she will continue to serve the RAN.

WO Andrew ‘Bert’ Bertoncin joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1988 as a Radio Operator. On completion of his training at HMAS Cerberus, he served in his first Fleet unit HMAS Swan.

During his service as a junior sailor, he experienced service in the minor war vessel community in HMA Ships Tarakan and Bunbury and ashore in key strategic communications centres.

Promotion to senior sailor required both amalgamation to the Communication Information Systems category and a return to service in major category and a return to service in major fleet units with two postings to HMAS Arunta. A highlight of his service in Arunta was the 2005 award of the Peter Mitchell prize as the most out-standing senior sailor of the year.

Promotion to WOCIS5 in 2007 led to a wide range of CIS manager roles including OPSWO DEFCAMSAUS, OIC DEFCOMMSTA Perth and the OPSWO position in the Force Communication Unit deployed in the MEAO as part of Operation Slipper. Changing the course of his career he took the opportunity to serve as a CWO in HMA Ships Sirius and Stirling, and MHPFOR. WO Bertoncin also assumed the responsibility of Coordinator of the WA Alcohol and Drug Program (WAADPC) where he achieved a Diploma in Alcohol and Drug Counselling.

WO Bertoncin was awarded the OAM in the 2016 Queen’s Honours List for his service to the Communications category and as the CWO of Sirius.

In February 2021 WO Bertoncin was appointed to the role of Command Warrant Officer Fleet Command. Whilst serving in this position WO Bertoncin completed the RAN Staff Acquit course.

We wish him every success in this important role.