He joined the navy via the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell in 1984, and spent his early career with the Clearance Diving Branch before training as a Principal Warfare Officer.

[2] Mead was commissioned a midshipman and entered the Royal Australian Naval College at HMAS Creswell for junior officer training on 16 January 1984.

[5] Mead graduated from the college as a sub-lieutenant and with a Diploma of Applied Science in 1986 and undertook further training in bridge watchkeeping and clearance diving, specialising in Mine Warfare and Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

[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.

[4] Based in Bahrain, Mead's multinational naval task force was responsible for maritime counter-terrorism operations around the Arabian Peninsula and Horn of Africa.

[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.

[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.

[18] Mead was appointed a Commander of the Legion of Merit by the United States on 8 February 2024 for his "service as the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy Nuclear Powered Submarine Task Force and his leadership role in the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.