Commander Lawrence (Larry) Moraal was born July 30, 1966 in Windsor Ontario and spent his youth in Essex County. While in his second year at the University of Western Ontario (UWO) he enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces under the Regular Officer Training Program (ROTP). After graduating from UWO with a BA in the spring of 1988 he commenced MARS training at HMCS Venture, which he completed in 1989. As a new graduate from Venture he joined HMCS Huron and earned his BWK in the spring of 1990. When the Huron retuned to Canada after OP FRICTION in the Persian Gulf, Cdr Moraal left the regular forces and joined the Naval Reserve in London Ontario in 1992 in order to pursue a career in the civilian sector.

Shortly after returning to London he began working with General Motors Electro Motive Division where he managed the final assemble of Locomotives. At the same time Cdr Moraal pursued his civilian career he continued to advance his naval career at HMCS Prevost in London by completing his Command Exams, qualifying as a Ship’s Team Diver (STD), Fleet Navigating Officer (FNO) and Coastal Operations Officer.
After General Motors sold its facilities in London, Cdr Moraal returned to the navy full time and moved to Esquimalt BC where he became the Operations Officer for HMCSs Brandon, Yellowknife and Saskatoon. Three years later in 2009 he was appointed as Executive Officer of HMCS Brandon where he successfully challenged the Command Part 2 Board. After 2 more years as Executive Officer in HMCS Edmonton he was assigned command of HMCS Saskatoon on September 6, 2012. After a hull transfer in September of 2013 he became the Commanding Officer of HMCS Brandon where he completed his Joint Command and Staff Course in 2014. After his command tour he worked as the West Coast Mine Warfare Officer at Coastal Division for a year, concurrently completing a Masters of Defence Studies before being post to NORAD on 1 August 2016. After three amazing years in Colorado, Cdr Moraal returned to Esquimalt to work as Officer in Charge of Patrol Vessel Sea Training Pacific for one year before taking on responsibilities of the Coast Forces Commander (CCF). In early 2022 he deployed to Op NEON in Japan as the Deputy Director of the Enforcement Coordination Cell, then returned as CCF in September 2022. Cdr Moraal now works as the RCN lead RIMPAC Planner.

Cdr Moraal, his amazing wife Rebecca and energetic daughter Addison share their lives with their German Shepard, Harley and Horse Jaxon. When not spending time with their animals they enjoy hiking, trail riding, camping and travelling to visit family and friends