First woman appointed CA

For the first time, the Australian Government has appointed a woman as CA.

Chief of Joint Capabilities Lt-Gen Susan Coyle was named as the anointed CA along with two other senior leadership changes to ADF command.

CN VAdm Mark Hammond will be appointed CDF, 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.

Lt-Gen Coyle is the first woman in the nation’s history to be appointed CA.

Enlisting as a soldier in the Army Reserve in 1987, Lt-Gen Coyle worked at the tactical, operational and strategic levels and in command roles, including Head Information Warfare, Commander Forces Command, Commander JTF 633, Commander 6 Bde, Commander Task Group Afghanistan and CO 17th Sig Reg.

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.

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 2025.

The government thanked CDF Adml David Johnston and CA Lt-Gen Simon Stuart, who will both retire with the changes of command in July. The next chief of joint capabilities will be appointed in due course. 

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was pleased to announce the 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 Defence Force and Chief of Army for their service, and wish them well in their retirement.”