Hunt became executive officer of HMS Ark Royal[REF] in 1969 and was then given command of the amphibious warfare ship HMS Intrepid in February 1974[REF] before attending the Royal College of Defence Studies later that year [REF].
Hunt was promoted to vice admiral on 6 December 1983,[REF] on appointment as Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland,[REF] and to admiral on 25 June 1985,[REF] on appointment as Commander-in-Chief Fleet[REF] and Allied Commander-in-Chief Channel and Eastern Atlantic [REF].