Vice Admiral SN Ghormade on Saturday took over as the new Vice Chief of Naval Staff succeeding Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar.
Ghormade was holding the charge of deputy chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Operations and Training) since March 8. Before this, he was holding the appointment of Controller Personnel Services in the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence (Navy), the officials said on Friday. Ghormade has also served as the chief of staff of the Eastern Naval Command.
Ghormade was commissioned into the Navy on January 1, 1984. He is a graduate of National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune, United States Naval Staff College at Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island and the Naval War College, Mumbai.
In addition to a specialisation in navigation and direction within the Navy, the Admiral holds M Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Mumbai, MSc in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras and a Master Degree in Personnel Management from Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (University of Pune).
He has held various operational and staff appointments over the past 35 years, including the commands of guided-missile frigate INS Brahmaputra, submarine rescue vessel INS Nireekshak and minesweeper INS Alleppey.
Ghormade was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal on January 26, 2017, and Nau Sena Medal in 2007 by the President of India and Commendation by Chief of Naval Staff in 2000.
