- CAPT O'Connor has served in the military since 1976, first in the RAMC (V) in the United Kingdom and then since 1982 in the Royal Australian Navy Reserve.
- He has served aboard HMAS MANOORA, STALWART, JERVIS BAY, USNS MERCY
- He has also served on deployments to Bougainville, East Timor, Vietnam, Sumatra
- He holds the rank of Captain and was responsible for managing Navy surgeons.
- CAPT O'Connor previously conducted annual workshops for deploying general and orthopaedic surgeons in emergency Obstetric care (DSOGS)
- CAPT O'Connor was the long term Editor of the Military Health Journal: ADF Health.
