Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, currently the Chief of Joint Capabilities, will become Chief of the Australian Army in July.
Australia on Monday announced that a woman will lead its army for the first time in history as part of a wider reshuffle of the country’s defence leadership.
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, currently Chief of Joint Capabilities, will become Chief of the Army in July, the government said in a statement, replacing Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.
Coyle’s appointment comes as the Australian military works to increase the number of women in senior ranks amid ongoing allegations of systemic sexual harassment and discrimination.
“From July, we will have the first ever female chief of army in the Australian Army’s 125-year history,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said.
Defence Minister Richard Marles described the appointment as a “deeply historic moment,” adding: “As Susan said to me, you cannot be what you cannot see.”
He said Coyle’s achievement would be significant for women currently serving in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as well as those considering a military career.
Coyle, 55, enlisted in 1987 and has held several senior command positions. Marles said she will be the first woman to lead any branch of Australia’s military.
Women currently make up around 21% of the ADF and 18.5% of senior leadership roles, with a target of 25% female representation by 2030.
Last October, a class action lawsuit was filed against the ADF alleging it failed to protect thousands of female personnel from sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination.
In the same reshuffle, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, the current navy chief, was appointed as the new head of the ADF, succeeding Admiral David Johnston. Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley will replace Hammond as chief of the navy.
