For the first time in its 125-year history, the Australian Army will be led by a woman. Lieutenant General Susan Coyle made history today as the first female to be appointed Chief of the Australian Army.
Lieutenant General Coyle AM CSC DSM will begin her new role as Chief in July. She is one of only three female three-star generals in Australia.
“It is an absolute honour to be selected as the 42nd Chief of Army,” Lieutenant General Coyle said.
“I began my service in 1987 as a proud Reserve soldier with the 12/16 Hunter River Lancers. As I prepare to assume this next appointment, I do so with humility, a deep appreciation for the experiences I have been afforded, and an unwavering commitment to steward our people well.
New leadership
Lieutenant General Coyle was appointed as part of a new leadership team across the Australian Defence Force unveiled by the Prime Minister today. The Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN has been appointed Chief of the Defence Force. Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley AM CSC RAN will be appointed on promotion as the Chief of Navy.
Lieutenant General Coyle was promoted from her role of Chief of Joint Capabilities Group and Chief of Space and Cyber which she took over in 2024 and from which she became the first woman in command a war fighting domain.
At the time she said of being one of the top women in the military: “There’s plenty more of us”.
“There’s lots of really good women coming through who have worked really hard, have done all the right types of jobs and I think are being recognised. It’s a wonderful place to be,” Lieutenant General Coyle told the ABC in 2024.
Historic appointment
Lieutenant General Coyle told the ABC that when she joined the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in 1984 only 10 per cent of soldiers were women. The highest ranked female officer was a colonel. As of June 2022, women made up 15.11 per cent of the Australian Army’s permanent force. Female participation in senior officer positions across the Australian Defence Force has risen to 17 per cent in 2025.
Lieutenant General Coyle grew up in northern NSW and is married to Mark, an engineer in the Army. They have three children, Jessica, Susie, and Jack. The military family moved around a lot. In 2024 Lieutenant General Coyle said, “I know only too well as both a serving wife and mother the sacrifice that our families and our friends make to support us.”
Lieutenant General Coyle has seen operational service in Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and the Middle East. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia among other medals and honours.
“Like those who have gone before me, I will lead our soldiers and support our families so that Army continues to deliver on Defence’s mission,” Lieutenant General Coyle said.
“To this appointment, I bring deep experience across three warfighting domains and operational service spanning all five. This breadth of experience provides a strong foundation for the responsibilities of command and the trust placed in me.”
Significant for women
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said today that Lieutenant General Coyle’s elevation to Chief of Army was “a deeply historic moment” for Australia.
“Her achievement means that she will be the first woman to command a service in Australian history, and it is a deeply historic moment, one that should be noted. As Susan said to me, ‘You cannot be what you cannot see.’ And Susan’s achievement will be deeply significant to women who are serving in the Australian Defence Force today and women who are thinking about serving in the Australian Defence Force in the future.”
In 2023, Susan Coyle told the Future Women Leadership Summit, “Earlier in my career, I tried to blend, to be one of the boys. I know now that I just needed to be me.”
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