Australia has appointed a woman to command its army for the first time since the force was founded 125 years ago, with defence minister Richard Marles hailing the "deeply historic moment" on Monday.
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, 55, will become Chief of Army in July, replacing Lieutenant General Simon Stuart. She will be the first woman to lead any service branch of the Australian military.
"Her achievement means that she will be the first woman to command a service in Australian history," Marles told reporters. "As Susan said to me, you cannot be what you cannot see."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the appointment in a statement, calling it a landmark moment for the nation's defence forces.
"From July, we will have the first ever female chief of army in the Australian Army's 125-year history," Albanese said.
Who is Susan Coyle?
Coyle enlisted in the military in 1987, joining the Army Reserves before completing a science degree at the Australian Defence Force Academy. She graduated from the Royal Military College in 1992 into the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.
Over a three-decade career, she has served in the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan, Timor Leste, and the Middle East. In July 2024, she was appointed Chief of Joint Capabilities Group, leading the Space and Cyber Domains and National Support for Defence.
Her key appointments have included:
- Head of Information Warfare
- Commander of Forces Command
- Commander of Joint Task Force 633
- Commander of the 6th Brigade
- Commander of Task Group Afghanistan
- Commanding Officer of the 17th Signal Regiment
Coyle holds three postgraduate master's degrees and is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Army War College, as well as an alumnus of the Harvard Advanced Management Program.
Her military honours include:
- Member of the Order of Australia
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Conspicuous Service Cross
- U.S. Army Commendation Medal
Army undergoing transformation
Australia's army is in the midst of a major transformation, equipping itself with long-range firepower, drones, and other modern combat tools. Coyle stressed her experience in areas such as cyber warfare.
"This breadth of experience provides a strong foundation for the responsibilities of command and the trust placed in me," she said.
Coyle's appointment comes as Australia's military seeks to boost the number of female officers in its ranks. Women currently make up around 21% of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and 18.5% of senior leadership roles. The ADF has set a target of 25% overall participation for women by 2030.
The appointment also follows a class action lawsuit filed against the ADF last October, alleging it failed to protect thousands of female officers from systematic sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination.
Marles said Coyle's achievement would be "deeply significant" for women serving in the ADF today and those considering a military career in the future.
