Steve Cass

Warrant Officer Class One Steven P. 'Steve' Cass is a member of the Royal Navy. He is the Warrant Officer of the Naval Service and therefore the most senior rating of the Royal Navy. He is the first person from the Fleet Air Arm and the second person overall to hold the appointment.

Early life
Cass is from Porthleven, Cornwall. He was educated at the comprehensive school in Helston, Cornwall. He left school at 17 to join the Royal Navy.

Military career
In 1986, Cass joined the Fleet Air Arm, Royal Navy, as an Air Engineering Mechanic Second Class. He spent his early years with 820 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose. In 1988, he undertook a six month tour of the Far East on board HMS Ark Royal. He completed the Artificer Course in 1991. In 1994, he was serving with 771 Naval Air Squadron.

In 2005, he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class Two and appointed Senior Maintenance Rating of 700M Naval Air Squadron. In 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One. From 2009 to 2011, he was attached to AgustaWestland as the 'structural integrity engineering authority responsible for the safety and airworthiness of all Merlin’s across the MOD and around the world'. From 2011 to 2013, he served as Base Warrant Officer of RNAS Culdrose. During that time, he was also President of the station's Warrant Officers and Senior Rates mess. In December 2013, he was appointed Warrant Officer of the Naval Service.

Honours and decorations
In July 2013, Cass was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He received the medal from Vice Admiral David Steel in a ceremony in September 2013.