ADF senior leadership changes from July

The Australian Government has announced three major ADF command changes.

CN VADM Mark Hammond will be appointed CDF, CJC LTGEN Susan Coyle will be appointed CA, and RADM Matthew Buckley will be appointed, on promotion, as CN.

Subject to the Governor-General’s approval, the changes will take effect from July.

VADM Hammond’s career spans 40 years in the Navy, serving in frigates and extensively in and later commanding submarines and the Australian Fleet. He was appointed CN in 2022.

LTGEN Coyle is the first woman in the nation’s history to be appointed CA.

Enlisting as a soldier in the Army Reserve in 1987, LTGEN Coyle worked at the tactical, operational and strategic levels and in command roles, including Head Information Warfare, Commander Forces Command, CDR JTF 633, CDR 6BDE, CDR Task Group Afghanistan and CO 17th Signals Regiment.

RADM Buckley has served in Oberon and Collins-class submarines, including commanding HMAS Collins and commanding the Submarine Force. He was the Head of Nuclear Submarine Capability at the Australian Submarine Agency, before becoming DCN in January last year.

The government thanked CDF ADML David Johnston and CA LTGEN Simon Stuart, who will both retire with the changes of command in July.

The next CJC will be appointed in due course. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to announce the new appointments. 

“From July we will have the first ever female Chief of Army in the Australian Army’s 125-year history,” Mr Albanese said. 

“I thank the outgoing Chief of the Defence Force and Chief of Army for their service, and wish them well in their retirement.”