Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
Vice-Admiral D.A. Charlebois, CMM, MSM, CD
VAdm Dan Charlebois was raised in Kingston, Ontario and began his career in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1992 as a Naval Reservist, transferring to the Regular Force in 1994 under the Regular Officer Training Program. He graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 1997 and completed Naval Warfare Officer training at the Naval Officer Training Centre Venture the following year.
VAdm Charlebois has spent a good portion of his career at sea. In his early years as a junior officer he served as a Bridge Watchkeeper, Above Water Warfare Officer, and Operations Officer in frigates Charlottetown and Halifax, deploying to the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Mediterranean in support of United Nations sanctions and counter-terrorism missions such as Operation AUGMENTATION, Operation APOLLO and Operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR.
Following a posting to Sea Training Atlantic, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, USA where he completed Staff College and a Masters of Science degree in Management from Salve Regina University. He was then appointed Executive Officer of HMCS Fredericton where he deployed overseas for Operation SAIPH and Operation OCEAN SHIELD in support of counter-terrorism and counter-piracy missions. Upon completion of his tour as Executive Officer he was promoted and appointed to the Naval Staff in Ottawa in Force Development, leading several Above Water Warfare projects and initiatives.
In May 2013, VAdm Charlebois assumed command of HMCS Regina again deploying to the Arabian Sea and Horn of Africa for Operation ARTEMIS in support of Combined Task Force 150’s counter-terrorism mission in the region. VAdm Charlebois led Regina through a mission re-role to the Mediterranean Sea joining NATO assurance measures in support of Operation REASSURANCE, as Canada’s vanguard naval unit.
Post-command, VAdm Charlebois was appointed Director Strategic Readiness, on the Strategic Joint Staff, and was then selected to attend the National Security Programme (NSP) at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto in 2017. Following NSP he was appointed Director Structure Integration in Chief of Force Development, responsible for Defence Team Human Resource management initiatives.
Upon promotion to Cmdre in the summer of 2020, he was appointed Commander Combined Task Force 150 where he led coalition counter-terrorism efforts in the Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean from Combined Maritime Forces Headquarters in Manama, Bahrain. He returned from deployment in July 2021 and was appointed Director General Readiness, at Canadian Joint Operations Command in Ottawa.
Returning to Naval Staff in 2022 as Director General Future Ship Capability, VAdm Charlebois was charged with the delivery and acceptance of the RCN’s future fleet, while ensuring the RCN is in all respects ready to receive these new platforms. During his tenure, the RCN saw the launch and delivery of several Harry DeWolf-class ships, HMCS Protecteur, and the commencement of construction on the first River-class Destroyer, the future HMCS Fraser.
VAdm Charlebois was appointed Deputy Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy in the summer of 2025, serving one year in the role before being promoted to Vice-Admiral and appointed Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy on 16 June 2026.