Anthony Klenthis joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1987 as a Maritime Warfare Officer and graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College later that year. During his career he served in Navy patrol boats, minehunters, guided missile frigates and a combat tanker. He served in shore-based roles with the Australian Hydrographic Service and in Navy Headquarters, delivering advanced mine warfare systems projects. After qualifying as an Intelligence Officer he served in the Defence Intelligence Organisation as an analyst and Watch Commander.

Anthony transferred to the Navy Reserve and commenced a senior executive role in the Defence Materiel Organisation in 2007, where he was responsible for the national inventory of guided weapons and munitions for the Australian Defence Force. He drove the renewal of Australia’s capabilities for munitions production and oversaw the redevelopment of strategic manufacturing and storage sites around the country. His team also successfully introduced Australia’s first long-range cruise missiles and latest generation of advanced lightweight torpedoes into service.

Anthony returned to full-time service in 2013, and deployed on Operation ACCORDION and Operation HIGHROAD to the Middle East Region in 2015. He was assigned to the NATO mission in Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan National Army (ANA). His key role was to assist Afghan security forces in stabilising the country by generating well trained, well led combat personnel. He received two NATO commendations for his efforts and the US Army’s Meritorious Commendation Medal for his work to rebuild the fighting capability of the ANA’s 215th Corps in Helmand Province.

Anthony was promoted to Captain on his return from the Middle East in 2016 and served in Navy Headquarters as Director Navy Workforce Requirements. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in the Australia Day 2019 honours list for his outstanding achievements in the field of workforce planning. Anthony was promoted to Commodore in July 2019 and appointed to the new role of Director General Future Navy Workforce, where he is responsible to plan Navy’s future surface combatant, submarine and aviation workforce. He holds degrees in Bachelor of Science Honours (UNSW) and Master of Business Administration (UC) and is a Fellow of the Australian Human Resources Institute. Anthony is the Navy’s inaugural Head of the Maritime Personnel Community.