Massey trained as a seaman officer, specialising in above water warfare and as a fighter controller and navigator. His first posting was to in 1979. Massey's first command was in 1993, and he later saw service as captain of
HMS Campbeltown,
HMS Illustrious during operations against the
Taliban regime in
Afghanistan in 2001 and as captain of
HMS Ark Royal when his ship led the amphibious assault into
Iraq in 2003. Staff tours included three appointments to the Ministry of Defence in London, serving in the NATO policy directorate, Defence Programmes and as assistant director of Navy Plans. He also served twice in NATO staff appointments: as military assistant to the chairman of the NATO Military Committee in Brussels (1991–1992) and head of plans for the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia (1999–2001). As a commodore, he led the Operations Division of the
Permanent Joint Headquarters at
Northwood and then went on to be
Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff in July 2005, He assumed office as
Second Sea Lord in a ceremony aboard
HMS Victory in July 2008. ==Later life==