Australia on Monday announced a landmark change in its military leadership, confirming that a woman will head the army for the first time as part of a broader reshuffle within the defence force.
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, who currently serves as chief of joint capabilities, has been named the next chief of army and will assume office in July, according to an official government statement.
She is set to take over from Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.
Her appointment comes amid ongoing efforts by the military to increase female representation within its ranks, as it continues to grapple with 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 in a statement.
Defence Minister Richard Marles described the development as a “deeply historic moment.”
“As Susan said to me, you cannot be what you cannot see,” he said.
“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.”
Coyle, aged 55, joined the military in 1987 and has since occupied several high-ranking command positions. According to Marles, she will also become the first woman to lead any branch of the country’s armed forces.
Currently, women account for about 21 percent of personnel in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with 18.5 percent occupying senior leadership roles. The ADF has set a goal to increase female participation to 25 percent by 2030.
In October last year, a class action lawsuit was filed against the ADF, accusing it of failing to protect thousands of female personnel from widespread sexual assault, harassment and discrimination.
The government also confirmed additional leadership changes, appointing Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, the current navy chief, as the new head of the ADF, replacing Admiral David Johnston.
Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley, who currently serves as deputy chief of navy, will step into Hammond’s role as head of the navy.
