Admiral David Johnston AC RAN
BIOGRAPHY
Admiral David Johnston entered the Royal Australian Naval College as a junior entry Cadet Midshipman in 1978. He graduated from the College in 1982, later specialising as a Principal Warfare Officer.
His operational naval tours include serving as Commanding Officer of HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Newcastle. In these commands he conducted border security patrols and deployed on Operation Quickstep to Fiji in 2006.
His staff appointments include Command and Control specialist staff positions in Australian Defence Headquarters, Operations Manager at Sailors' Career Management, and later as Director Joint Plans in Strategic Operations Division - where he developed strategic military response options for consideration by Government.
In July 2007, on promotion to Commodore, he joined Fleet Headquarters as Commodore Flotillas, where he was responsible for planning maritime operations and the operational training of Navy's ships, submarines, and diving teams.
In November 2008, he assumed the role of Director General Operations at Headquarters Joint Operations Command. This role encompassed the operational level execution of all Australian Defence Force operations both overseas and within Australia.
In October 2010, he deployed to Operation Slipper in the Middle East Area of Operations as the Deputy Commander Joint Task Force 633. He supported the Commander Joint Task Force in providing national command oversight of all Australian Defence Force elements conducting maritime, land, and air operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and adjacent maritime areas. He was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for this role.
In June 2011, he assumed the role of Deputy Chief Joint Operations Command. While performing this role he commanded the Defence Joint Task Force that supported the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2011 and the visit by the President of the United States of America later in that year.
Admiral Johnston was appointed Commander Border Protection Command in December 2011 and held this responsibility until December 2013. As commander of this multi-agency organisation, he was responsible for the civil maritime security of Australia's maritime domain using resources from both the Australian Defence Force and the then Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
He was appointed Chief of Joint Operations in May 2014 and Vice Chief of the Defence Force in July 2018. Admiral Johnston was appointed Chief of the Defence Force in July 2024.
Admiral Johnston holds a Master of Science in Operations Research from the United States Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies from Deakin University. He participated in the inaugural Australian Security Executive Development Program in 2009. In 2012, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (Military Division) and in 2018 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (Military Division). In 2022, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (Military Division). He is married and has two children.
QUOTES
"I am honoured to have served this nation for almost five decades. When I commenced as the Chief of the Defence Force my priority was to ensure the ADF was fit for purpose and ready, by building a larger, more lethal and more prepared force to defend Australia and its interests. We have done this through investments in our capability, our partnerships, and our people.
"I am proud of the role I have played in the design of the future force and the subsequent implementation of the National Defence Strategy.
"Thank you to the Defence community for your support throughout my career. It is genuinely inspiring to work with individuals who are deeply committed to serving their nation and giving their best in often challenging circumstances. I am extremely proud of the men and women of the ADF and the families that support us. Our people are fundamental to all we can and must achieve."
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Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN
BIOGRAPHY
Vice Admiral (VADM) Mark Hammond AO RAN joined the RAN in 1986 as an electronics technician before commissioning as a naval officer in 1988. Graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in 1990, VADM Hammond served in frigates before volunteering for submarine service and qualifying in the Oberon Class. He is a dual qualified officer, graduating from the RAN Principal Warfare Officers Course, the Netherlands and United States Navy Submarine Command courses, and Australia's Senior Submariner.
VADM Hammond served extensively in Collins Class submarines. He also gained international experience in French, British and US nuclear attack submarines and Dutch conventional submarines. His Command of HMAS Farncomb included submarine operations across the Indo-Pacific. Subsequent shore postings included the Assistant Naval Attaché in Washington DC, Submarine Capability and Joint Exercise Staff roles, and 12 months as the Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force.
On promotion to Commodore, VADM Hammond was appointed Director General Maritime Operations. He then returned to the United States as the liaison officer to the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was awarded the United States Legion of Merit (Officer) for his performance in this role and, in 2018, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in senior command and staff roles.
On promotion to Rear Admiral, VADM Hammond assumed duties as the Deputy Chief of Navy in 2018, and in late 2020, was appointed Commander of the Australian Fleet. In these demanding appointments, VADM Hammond first oversaw substantial workforce growth. He then focused on enhancing the resilience and warfighting capability of Navy's people and Fleet during the COVID19 pandemic.
VADM Hammond assumed Command as Chief of Navy on 7 July 2022. He is the first RAN Recruit School and ADFA graduate to do so, and only the second submarine commanding officer to be appointed to the role. In 2023, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the Royal Australian Navy in senior command roles. In April 2024, he was awarded the Republic of Korea's Order of National Security Merit Gukseon Medal for outstanding and meritorious services rendered to the Republic of Korea. In October 2024, VADM Hammond was honoured with the Republic of Singapore's Meritorious Service Medal - Military (Pingat Jasa Gemilang - Tentera) for exceptionally distinguished performance in furthering links between Australia and Singapore.
VADM Hammond holds a Bachelor of Science, Master of Management, Master of Maritime Studies and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.
Away from Navy, VADM Hammond's interests include antique wooden boats, cricket, rugby league (South Sydney Rabbitohs), AFL (Port Adelaide), chess and submarine warfare in World War II. He is the Australian Patron of the Australia-America Veterans Association.
QUOTES
"It has been an honour and a privilege to lead our Navy over the past four years, and extremely humbling to be nominated for appointment as the next Chief of the Defence Force.
"As a nation we are fortunate to benefit from the service of our sailors, soldiers and aviators who stand ready to defend Australia and our national interests, and the families who love and support them. I look forward to serving with and for them over the next four years."
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Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, AM, CSC, DSM
BIOGRAPHY
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle enlisted as a soldier in the Army Reserves in 1987 before completing a Science degree at the Australian Defence Force Academy and graduating from the Royal Military College in 1992 into the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Appointed Chief of Joint Capabilities Group in July 2024, Lieutenant General Coyle is the Chief of Space and Cyber and Chief of National Support.
Lieutenant General Coyle has worked at the tactical, operational and strategic level in a variety of command, and Army and Joint staff appointments. She has commanded at every rank, including Commander Forces Command, Commander Joint Task Force 633 (CJTF633), Commander 6th Brigade, Commander Task Group Afghanistan and Commanding Officer 17th Signal Regiment. She has seen operational service in Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Lieutenant General Coyle holds post-graduate qualifications from the United States Army War College, University of New England, and University of Canberra. She is an alumnus of the Harvard Advanced Management Program.
Lieutenant General Coyle was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia as Commander Joint Task Force 633, a Distinguished Service Medal as Deputy Commander JTF 636 / Commander Task Group Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER / HIGHROAD, and a Conspicuous Service Cross as Commanding Officer 17th Signal Regiment.
Lieutenant General Coyle is married to Mark, an Engineer in the Army, and together they have three wonderful and mostly charming young adults - Jessica, Susie, and Jack. Her hobbies include attending musical theatre, reading anything and travelling anywhere. Her passion remains supporting veterans and their families through a People First approach. Lieutenant General Coyle is Patron for 42 for 42, ADF Cyber Skills Association and ADF Rugby.
QUOTES
"I began my service in 1987 as a proud Reserve soldier with the 12/16 Hunter River Lancers. As I prepare to assume this next appointment, I do so with humility, a deep appreciation for the experiences I have been afforded, and an unwavering commitment to steward our people well.
"Like those who have gone before me, I will lead our soldiers and support our families so that Army continues to deliver on Defence's mission.
"In my current role responsible for Space and Cyber, I often say that if you are zero in one domain, you are zero in all. To this appointment, I bring deep experience across three warfighting domains and operational service spanning all five. This breadth of experience provides a strong foundation for the responsibilities of command and the trust placed in me.
"It is an absolute honour to be selected as the 42nd Chief of Army."
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Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley AM CSC RAN
BIOGRAPHY
Rear Admiral (RADM) Matt Buckley AM CSC RAN was born in Sydney, Australia and spent his school years growing up on the NSW South Coast. He joined the RAN in January 1990 and graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in December 1992.
RADM Buckley spent the tactical phase of his career serving in Oberon and Collins Class submarines. Highlights include 2 years on exchange in a Canadian submarine based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and serving in the commissioning crew of HMAS Rankin.
Following completion of the Submarine Command Course 'Perisher' and the tactical phase of the USN Submarine Command Course, RADM Buckley commanded the submarine HMAS Collins. Later, he served as the Commander of the Australian Submarine Force. RADM Buckley's sea service was extensively in the Western Pacific, fostering a deep interest in the region.
RADM Buckley has served in a number of senior staff appointments including Director Submarine Capability, Director General Navy Operations, Director General Navy People and Head of Nuclear Submarine Capability.
He is a graduate of the Australian Defence and Strategic Studies Course where he received the Secretary of Defence - Chief of Defence Force prize.
RADM Buckley was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in June 2015 for his contribution to the submarine capability. In January 2024, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for exceptional service in senior leadership roles within the RAN.
RADM Buckley holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Strategy and Policy from the University of New South Wales. He holds a Master of International Relations from Deakin University.
RADM Buckley assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Navy on 24 January 2025.
QUOTES
"I have been incredibly fortunate to serve our Navy and our nation for over 36 years, working alongside remarkably talented and professional Navy people, joint service and public service colleagues, international partners, and defence industry, who together make a critical contribution to Australia's maritime security.
"It is a privilege to lead our Navy through a period of considerable growth as we transition to a number of new and impactful capabilities such as nuclear powered submarines, Mogami and Hunter class frigates, and a range of undersea and autonomous systems such as the Ghost Shark."
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Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC
BIOGRAPHY
Enlisting as a soldier in 1987, Lieutenant General Stuart was commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in 1990. He has over thirty eight years' experience across a range of leadership, operations, training and program management appointments in Australia and overseas.
Lieutenant General Stuart's regimental experience was in the 2nd/4th and 2nd Battalions, Royal Australian Regiment, culminating in command of the 8th/9th Battalion from 2008-10.
He has commanded on operations on five occasions at the company, Joint Task Force, brigade and force levels in East Timor, Afghanistan and Egypt/Israel respectively. His early career included significant training experience, while his staff appointments have largely been in capability development. He has worked in joint, whole of government, international and multi-national environments for most of the past 20 years. Most recently, Lieutenant General Stuart fulfilled the role of Head of Land Capability in Army Headquarters after a three year deployment in command of the Multinational Force and Observers from 2017-19.
Lieutenant General Stuart is a graduate of the Royal Military College - Duntroon (1990), the United Kingdom's Joint Services Command and Staff College (2003), the United States Army War College (2015) and the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program (2022). He holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of New England and Masters' degrees in Project Management (UNSW), Arts - Defence Studies (Kings College, London) and Strategy (US Army War College).
Lieutenant General Stuart's honours and awards include his appointment as Member of the Order of Australia (2011), the Distinguished Service Cross (2014) and advancement to Officer of the Order of Australia (2020). He has also received a number of foreign awards, including those from the United States, Timor Leste, Columbia, Uruguay, Czech Republic, Japan and Indonesia.
Lieutenant General Stuart and his wife Katy are from Perth, Western Australia and they have two adult children. He is also the patron for the Army Drone Racing Team and a patron for the Army Australian Football League.
QUOTES
"It is the privilege of a lifetime to have led and served alongside Australian soldiers and one for which I am eternally grateful."
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