Stuart Mayer

Senior commands

In January 2007 Mayer attended the Australian Defence College and read for a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies. He assumed command of the frigate in December 2007 and completed deployments to exercise RIMPAC and to Southeast Asia as the Commander of the RAN Task Group. Mayer left Anzac in mid-2009, was promoted to commodore and appointed Commander of the multi-national International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in East Timor on 24 October 2009. The first non-army officer to hold this command, Mayer demonstrated "inspirational leadership and initiative, and outstanding dedication to duty in stable but fragile security environment" during his six-month deployment, for which he was awarded a Bar to his CSC and the East Timorese Medal of Merit.

On Mayer's return to Australia in April 2010, he assumed duties as Commodore Flotillas at Fleet Headquarters. In recognition of his "selfless devotion to duty and outstanding achievement" in these senior roles, Mayer was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2017 Australia Day Honours. He relinquished command of the Australian Fleet to Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead in January 2018 and was appointed as Head Force Design within the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group from March.

In April 2019 it was announced that Mayer would be appointed Deputy Commander United Nations Command in South Korea later in the year. He relinquished Head Force Design in June and, promoted vice admiral on 18 July, He was the second non-American (after Eyre) and first Australian to hold the post in the 69-year history of United Nations Command.

Mayer is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales, a Master of Arts from Deakin University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland.

Post-military career Following his retirement from the RAN in 2022, Mayer was appointed a partner in the consulting division at Ernst & Young Australia.

Personal life Mayer is married to Susanne, with whom he has four children. Mayer's interests include rugby, sailing, bushwalking and kayaking.