He graduated from the Makarov Pacific Higher Naval School (1970–1975), the Supreme Special Officer Classes of the Soviet Navy (1982–1983), the Marshal Grechko Naval Academy (1987–1989), and the General Staff Academy (1992–1994).
He served within a ship's operations department (BCh-3) (1975–1981), senior assistant to the submarine commander (1981–1982), the submarine crew commander, submarine commander(1983–1987), deputy commander (1989–1992), commander (1994–1996) 45th submarine flotilla. During his command of the 45th Submarine flotilla, he was promoted to kontr-admiral (one star) (5 May 1995). His next post was chief of staff of the 2nd Submarine squadron (November 1996 - May 1998), Chief of Staff of the 16th submarine task group (May 1998 - August 1999), chief of staff (August 1999 - June 2000), Commander (June 2000 - December 2001) Northeastern Group of Troops and Forces. During his command of the NEGTF, he was promoted to vitze-admiral (two stars) (9 June 2001. Chief of Staff of the Pacific Fleet (5 December 2001 - 6 May 2006), commander of the Baltic Fleet (6 May 2006 - 6 December 2007) Commander Pacific Fleet (6 December 2007 - 29 October 2010). He was promoted to Vice-Admiral on 12 June 2010.
On 29 October 2010, he was named the first deputy commander of the Eastern Military District. He was promoted to Admiral soon after.