After six formative years with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps, RAdm Greenwood attended Royal Roads Military College in Victoria, BC, from which he graduated in 1979 with a BSc in Physics and Oceanography. He subsequently qualified as a Bridge Watchkeeper, Anti-Submarine Air Controller and Destroyer Navigating Officer, serving in HMC Ships ANNAPOLIS, CHIGNECTO, COWICHAN and KOOTENAY.

In 1987, on completion of the Combat Control Officer Course and promotion to LCdr, he joined HMCS IROQUOIS (1987-88) as Weapons Officer and later Combat Department Head. He later served as Executive Officer in HMC Ships ALGONQUIN (1993-1995), and PRESERVER (1997-1999), and as Commanding Officer in HMCS OTTAWA (1999 – 2001). RAdm Greenwood's most recent sea-appointment was as Commander, Canadian Fleet Pacific (2007-2009).

In between sea-postings, RAdm Greenwood served in a variety of positions ashore. These have included: Flag Lt to the Commander, Maritime Forces Pacific (1984-85); exchange with the USN's Surface Warfare Development Group (1988-90); senior naval staff officer at College militaire royale de St-Jean (CMR) (1990-92); miscellaneous duties with the Director General Programme Coordination in National Defence Headquarters (1995-96); Deputy Chief of Staff for Doctrine and Plans in Maritime Command HQ (1996-97); Base Commander at CFB Halifax (2001-03); Chief of Staff to the Commander Maritime Forces Pacific (2003-05); and Director of Military Capability Management under the Chief of Force Development at NDHQ in Ottawa.

RAdm Greenwood's professional education includes the Canadian Forces Command and Staff Course (Toronto, 1992-93) and the Executive Course of the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies (Honolulu, 2000). In 2006 he attended the Royal College of Defence Studies and obtained an MA in International Relations from King's College London. He is a qualified Master Mariner, Member of the Nautical Institute, and Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation. He is an avid motorcyclist, an occasional sailor, and a mediocre flautist.

RAdm Greenwood was appointed to his present rank and position as Assistant Chief of Maritime Staff in March 2009.

National Defence, Canada

The Warriors' Day Parade Council welcomes Rear-Admiral Greenwood as our 2009 Distinguished Guest of Honour and Reviewing Officer.