Rear Adm. David J. Patchell
Vice Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet
23 June 2022
Rear Adm. (O-8) David Patchell is a native of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada and a 1998 graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada where he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Defence Studies. He is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, UK where he received a Post Graduate Certificate in Security and Strategy from King’s College London.
Rear Adm. Patchell joined his first unit, HMCS CARLETON as an Ordinary Seaman in 1993. Trained as a surface warfare officer, early operational sea tours with the Pacific Fleet included HMCS HURON, HMCS ALGONQUIN, and HMCS VANCOUVER which he joined as an Air Controller en route to Operation APOLLO. With the Atlantic Fleet, he served as operations officer onboard HMCS HALIFAX, HMCS ST.JOHNS and with Sea Training. He was Executive Officer for HMCS ATHABASKAN and subsequently HMCS IROQUOIS. He commanded HMCS TORONTO, including a deployment to the Middle East where the ship’s company was recognized with the USN Meritorious Unit Commendation.
Shore tours include Squadron Commander at the Royal Military College, Chief of Staff to the CFB Halifax Base Commander, and Deputy Director Naval Force Readiness in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Upon promotion to Captain, he was appointed Director Naval Strategic Management in National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. After completing studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, he was promoted to Commodore (O-7), and returned to the Naval Staff as Director General Naval Strategic Readiness.
Rear Adm. Patchell was promoted in summer 2022, when he assumed his current duties as Vice-Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet.