Australia’s defense minister, Richard Marles, announced Monday the appointment of Susan Coyle as chief of the Australian Army, a move that will make her the first woman to hold the post since the army’s establishment 125 years ago.
Marles said the appointment, which will take effect in July, carries “profound historical significance,” noting that Coyle will be the first woman to command one of the three branches of the armed forces: the navy, army and air force.
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She served in the Middle East and Afghanistan
(Photo: andout / AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE / AFP)
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Coyle with the prime minister and the defense minister
(Photo: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas/via REUTERS)
Coyle, 55, enlisted in 1987 and over her long career has served, among other roles, as head of information warfare, commander of Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East and commander of a task force in Afghanistan. She has also been deployed to the Solomon Islands. Coyle is a mother of three and her husband also serves in the military. She holds a master’s degree and graduated with distinction from the U.S. Army War College.
Coyle’s appointment, given her background in military cyber capabilities, comes as the Australian Army undergoes changes and acquires more advanced systems, including drones and long-range strike capabilities. She said her broad experience provides a strong foundation for the responsibility of command and the trust placed in her.
The appointment also comes as the Australian military faces a wave of allegations of systemic sexual harassment and discrimination against women, while seeking to increase the number of female officers in its ranks. Women currently make up about 21% of the Australian Defence Force and hold 18.5% of its most senior command roles. The ADF has set a target of increasing the share of women in service to 25% by 2030.
At the announcement of Coyle’s appointment, Marles said that in a conversation with him she used the phrase “you can’t be what you can’t see,” often cited by advocates for women’s rights to explain that when girls and young women do not see women in certain roles, it is harder for them to believe they can attain such positions.
“Susanne’s achievement will be highly significant for women currently serving in the Australian Defence Force and for those considering service in the future,” the minister said.