Seeking to enhance his future career prospects, Mead trained as a Principal Warfare Officer specialising in Anti-Submarine Warfare. He also read for a Master of Arts in International Relations at Deakin University and, later, a Master of Management at the University of Canberra. A series of seagoing appointments followed, including as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer aboard HMAS Melbourne and in HMAS Arunta, and as Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer. Mead next returned to HMAS Arunta as executive officer.[1][2][4] During his time in the ship, Arunta deployed as part of Operation Relex to turn back vessels suspected of unauthorised entry to northern Australian waters.[2]
Mead submitted the thesis for his Doctor of Philosophy, titled "The Australia–Indonesia Security Relationship", to the School of International and Political Studies at Deakin University in 2004.[2][6] The following year, by now a commander, he was appointed commanding officer of the Anzac-class frigateHMAS Parramatta. The frigate deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst, Australia's contribution to the Iraq War, in October 2005.[2][4] During the six-month deployment, Parramatta's crew carried out 186 vessel boardings and security patrols and were involved in training other coalition and Iraqi warships.[7]Parramatta returned to Sydney in April 2006. Mead and his crew were subsequently recognised with a Meritorious Unit Citation for Parramatta's "meritorious operational service" in the Persian Gulf,[8] while Mead was additionally honoured with appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2007 Australia Day Honours for his "exceptional service in warlike operations".[9]
Promoted to rear admiral, Mead was appointed Head of Navy Capability in January 2015.[4] In this role he was responsible for the development of present and future capability within the Royal Australian Navy, which included overseeing the lifecycle of projects and programs from initial concept through to disposal.[13] After three years managing capability, Mead succeeded Rear Admiral Stuart Mayer as Commander Australian Fleet on 19 January 2018.[4] In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Mead was advanced to Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of his "distinguished service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior management and command roles."[14] Mead handed over command of the Australian Fleet to Rear Admiral Mark Hammond on 17 November 2020.[15]
Mead was promoted vice admiral and appointed Chief of Joint Capabilities in November 2020.[4] He handed over Joint Capabilities to Lieutenant General John Frewen in September 2021 and was subsequently appointed Chief of the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force, responsible for overseeing Australia's acquisition of submarines with nuclear propulsion.[16][17] On 1 July 2023 the task force was replaced by the Australian Submarine Agency and Mead was appointed the inaugural director-general.[18]