Commander R.L. Boyce RAN
After professional courses he completed seaman officer training in a variety of ships, and served the next several years as a watchkeeping and navigation officer in different ship classes including an aircraft carrier, a patrol boat and several destroyer escorts. In 1982 he joined HMAS BETANO as Executive Officer and spent two years engaged in Defence Cooperation projects in the South Pacific, ANARE research support out of Hobart and clearance diver training in Shoalwater Bay as well as amphibious training and transport activities
Following Principal Warfare Officer and communications training in 1985 Commodore Boyce served as Communications and Operations Officer in HMA Ships PARRAMATTA and CANBERRA, during which time he was further engaged in international exercises and deployments, most notably the RIMPAC series as well as visits to the USA and Canada.
Posted ashore in 1989 Commodore Boyce served as Directing Staff at the PWO Faculty, Warfare Officers Postings Officer, and as the Operations Officer to Commodore, Flotillas before posting back to sea as Executive Officer in CANBERRA in 1994. On promotion to Commander, Commodore Boyce posted ashore as the Director of Naval C3 and EW for two years followed by period as the Director of Maritime Communications within Maritime Headquarters. In early 2000 he attended the Defence Staff College where he gained a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Studies before assuming command of CANBERRA in Nov of that year.
During his command, CANBERRA was involved in several operations, most notably fisheries apprehension duties in the Southern Ocean, UN monitoring activities in the Solomon Islands and as part of the international MIF in the Persian Gulf, as well as the usual round of exercises, deployments and workups. Two extremely enjoyable years came to and end in Nov 2002 and Commodore Boyce joined DIO in Jan 2003. In 2005 he returned to the Defence Staff College, graduating with a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. He took up the position of Director Communications Network Operations in January 2006 before promotion to his current position as Commander of Defence Strategic Communications Branch in October of that year.
Commodore Boyce is married to Susan and they have three sons. He is a keen woodworker, enjoys rugby football, riding his motorcycle, cricket and fishing. Thus far the fish are winning.