REAR ADMIRAL KAREL DE LAAT CSC, RFD, RANR

Rear Admiral Karel de Laat joined the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR) as a direct entry Lieutenant in 1978, after developing a strong interest in Defence as a high school Cadet Under Officer, university student Army Reservist and Defence Recruiting Consultant Psychologist.

Based at HMAS Moreton in Brisbane, Rear Admiral de Laat provided  professional services to the Navy in Queensland, as well as completing a variety of assignments for the nationally based Directorate of Psychology – Navy, while undergoing his Navy training at HMAS Creswell and within the Brisbane Port Division of the RANR.

After completion of the RANR Staff Course at HMAS Penguin and promotion to Lieutenant Commander in 1986, Rear Admiral de Laat was appointed Divisional Officer, Recruiting, Recruit Training, Psychology and Public Relations for the Brisbane Port Division in 1988.

From 1990 to 1995, Rear Admiral de Laat completed a range of organisational psychology and management consulting assignments for the Navy in Canberra.  In 1995, he was promoted Commander and appointed the Navy’s Senior Reserve Psychologist. Subsequent appointments included Director Reserve Utilisation Policy, and Chairman of the Force Mix Review Board Working Group in 1997, responsible for developing new systems for managing the Naval Reserve contribution to the RAN.

After selection as Director General Reserves – Navy and promotion to Captain in 1998, Rear Admiral de Laat initiated a range of strategies for the fuller integration of RANR elements into the Navy’s command and control structure.  He was promoted Commodore in 2001 and awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross and Reserve Force Decoration in 2004 in recognition of his Naval Reserve service

From 2005, RADM de Laat worked as Senior Officer, Navy Community Engagement Strategy, before being appointed Director General Australian Navy Cadets in 2007. He was promoted Rear Admiral and appointed Head Cadet Policy in December, 2007.

Rear Admiral de Laat, who has a Bachelor of Arts degree, Diploma in Psychology and Master of Letters, is a Registered Psychologist and has managed his own consultancy since 1983. He is married with four children and lives in Brisbane.