Australia has appointed Lt Gen Susan Coyle as its next chief of army, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to lead the force. Coyle, an officer with more than three decades of service, will begin her term in July.
Defence Minister Richard Marles described Coyle as a “standout candidate” for the role, calling her appointment “a deeply historic moment.”
He said her leadership would inspire women serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and those considering a military career, reports the Guardian.
Coyle joined the Army Reserve in 1987 and graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1992. Her distinguished career includes commanding Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, Task Group Afghanistan, and deployments to Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands, and Afghanistan.
She also served as head of information warfare and, since July 2024, as chief of joint capabilities, overseeing the ADF’s cyber, space, and information warfare commands.
A mother of three, Coyle holds multiple postgraduate degrees and is a graduate of the US Army War College. Her husband also serves in the military. Reflecting on her career, she noted that when she enlisted, only 10% of ADF personnel were women and the highest-ranking female officer was a colonel.
“Today, there are four female three-star generals,” she said. “There are plenty more of us coming through — it’s a wonderful place to be.”
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, currently chief of navy, has been promoted to chief of the defence force, succeeding Admiral David Johnston, who will retire in July after 48 years of service.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised Hammond’s “distinguished career spanning 40 years in the Royal Australian Navy.”
Hammond joined the navy in 1986 as an electronics technician, later becoming a naval officer and serving aboard Collins-class submarines, including as commander of HMAS Farncomb. He also held postings in Washington DC and became chief of navy in July 2022, overseeing work on the multibillion-dollar Aukus nuclear submarine program.
Hammond said, “This is probably the most humbling moment in my career. I look forward to serving with and for Australia’s sailors, soldiers, and aviators as their chief of defence force through the challenging times ahead.”
Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley, currently deputy chief of navy, will be promoted to replace Hammond as chief of navy. Lt Gen Simon Stuart, the outgoing chief of army, will also retire in July.
