Major General Susan Coyle has been appointed as Australia’s next Chief of Joint Capabilities, becoming the third woman ever promoted to a three-star rank in the Australian Defence Force.
On Tuesday, the federal government announced that Major General Coyle will replace Lieutenant General John Frewen in the role.
She is set to join Chief of Personnel Natasha Fox and National Cyber Security Coordinator Michelle McGuiness, who are the only other women who hold a three-star rank position.
Major General Coyle’s appointment is subject to approval from the Governor-General and will take effect in July.
Major General Coyle told the ABC that she never thought she would graduate from the defence force college, so she felt “very honoured” to be appointed as Chief of Joint Capabilities.
She also said she hoped her appointment would help young women see that there are plenty of opportunities for women in the defence force.
“You can’t be what you can’t see and the more role models we have the more opportunities for others to see what’s possible when they serve their nation and have the privilege of serving a nation,” she told the ABC.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women make up just over 20 per cent of people currently serving the Australian Defence Force.
Major General Coyle’s appointment to a three-star rank came alongside a raft of other changes to the senior leadership of the defence force, announced on Tuesday.
Vice Admiral David Johnston, current Vice Chief of the Defence Force, was promoted to become the next Chief of the Defence Force. He replaces the retiring General Angus Campbell.
Air Marshal Robert Chipman has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Defence Force, while Rear Admiral Justin Jones will become the Chief of Joint Operations.
“I’d like to congratulate all personnel for accepting these appointments, and leading the Australian Defence Force with the values and tenets the Australian public expect of our military leaders,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, speaking about the changes.
“I look forward to working with you to plan and deliver a more integrated and focused Defence Force.”
Minister for Defence Richard Marles said it was “an honour” to announce the senior appointments who will lead the Australian Defence Force “during a period of increasing strategic competition”.