Forces Command (Australia)

{{Short description|Single command for all land functions within the Australian Defence Force}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = Forces Command

| image =

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| dates = 1 July 2009 – present

| country = Australia

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| command_structure = Australian Army

| garrison = Victoria Barracks, Sydney

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| commander1 = Major General Ana Duncan

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| commander2 = Lieutenant General Simon Stuart

| commander2_label = Chief of the Army

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}}

Forces Command (FORCOMD) is a command within the Australian Army responsible for the combat brigades, the enabling and training formations reporting to the Chief of the Army with approximately 85% of the Army's personnel.{{cite news|title=The Australian Army – Modernisation from Beersheba and Beyond|url=http://www.army.gov.au/~/media/Army/Our%20future/About/Army%20101%20Brief%20Ver%207%20-%20Modernising%20from%20Beersheba%20and%20Beyond%20v4.pdf|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Australian Army|date=26 August 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705212417/http://www.army.gov.au/~/media/Army/Our%20future/About/Army%20101%20Brief%20Ver%207%20-%20Modernising%20from%20Beersheba%20and%20Beyond%20v4.pdf|archive-date=5 July 2016}}{{cite web|title=Forces Command|url=http://army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command|website=Australian Army|access-date=10 August 2016|date=1 May 2012}}{{cite web|title=The Australian Army: An Aide-Memoire|url=https://www.army.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1846/f/aide_memoire.pdf|website=Australian Army|access-date=27 December 2016|date=2014|archive-date=11 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411114723/https://www.army.gov.au/sites/g/files/net1846/f/aide_memoire.pdf|url-status=dead}} The Command was formed on 1 July 2009 with the amalgamation of Land Command and Training Command,{{cite news|title=May the force be with you – Merge of commands enhances capabilities|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1216/1216.pdf|access-date=6 August 2016|work=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|edition=1216|date=9 July 2009|page=2|issn=0729-5685}} and is led by a major general as the Commander Forces Command (COMD FORCOMD).

History

On 27 September 2008 the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie, announced a restructure of the army command structure named Adaptive Army.{{cite news|title=Command restructure|url=http://www.defence.gov.au/Publications/NewsPapers/Army/editions/1197/1197.pdf|access-date=6 August 2016|work=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper|publisher=Department of Defence|location=Canberra|edition=1197|date=4 September 2008|issn=0729-5685}} The structure had remained nearly the same since the Hassett Review restructure in 1973 of Land Command and Training Command.{{cite book|last1=Gillespie|first1=Lieutenant General K.J.|title=Adaptive Army: Public information paper|date=26 August 2008|publisher=Australian Army|location=Canberra|url=http://www.army.gov.au/docs/Adaptive_Army_Public_Info_Paper.pdf|oclc=682906519|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110310001320/http://www.army.gov.au/docs/Adaptive_Army_Public_Info_Paper.pdf|archive-date=10 March 2011}}

In October 2022, the 9th Brigade was placed under the command of Forces Command.{{cite press release |title=9th Brigade becomes the Australian Army's first integrated combat brigade |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/releases/2022-10-27/9th-brigade-becomes-australian-armys-first-integrated-combat-brigade |website=Department of Defence |access-date=20 July 2023 |date=27 October 2022}} In July 2023, the 1st, 3rd and 7th Brigades were placed under the command of the 1st (Australian) Division.{{cite news|title=Commands, divisions adjusted |url=https://www.armynewspaper.defence.gov.au/army-news/july-20-2023/flipbook/2/ |newspaper=Army: The soldiers' newspaper |date=20 July 2023 |publisher=Department of Defence |location=Canberra |page=2 |issn=2209-2218 |edition=1539 |access-date=15 July 2023}} The Combat Training Centre and 39th Operational Support Battalion were placed under the command of Forces Command.

In June 30, 2024, the 8th Brigade was placed under the command of Forces Command.{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Matt |date=5 July 2024 |title=A unified approach to training |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-07-03/unified-approach-training}} The 17th Sustainment Brigade was transferred from Forces Command to the 1st Division on 15 November 2024.{{cite web |title=Big changes for 17th Sustainment Brigade |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-12-05/big-changes-17th-sustainment-brigade |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=5 December 2024 |date=5 December 2024}} The 6th Brigade was disbanded on 13 December 2024, with its units being transferred to other headquarters.{{cite web |title=Historic brigade lowers its colours |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-12-02/historic-brigade-lowers-its-colours |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=5 December 2024 |date=2 December 2024}}{{cite web |title=Commemorating 6th Brigade |url=https://images.defence.gov.au/assets/Home/Search?Query=241206army8652825_007.jpg&Type=Filename |publisher=Department of Defence |access-date=22 December 2024}}

Organisation

File:Australian Army - Forces Command organization 2025.png

Headquarters, Forces Command (Victoria Barracks, New South Wales)
2nd Health Brigade
8th Brigade{{Cite web |last=Grant |first=Matt |date=5 July 2024 |title=A unified approach to training |url=https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2024-07-03/unified-approach-training}}
39th Operational Support Battalion (Randwick Barracks, NSW)
Royal Military College of Australia (Duntroon Garrison, ACT){{cite web|title=Royal Military College of Australia|url=http://army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/Royal_Military_College_of_Australia|website=Australian Army|access-date=10 August 2016|date=18 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528062110/http://www.army.gov.au/Our-people/Units/Forces-Command/Royal_Military_College_of_Australia|archive-date=28 May 2015|url-status=dead}}
Army Logistic Training Centre (Bandiana, Vic)
Defence Command Support Training Centre
Combat Training Centre
Combined Arms Training Centre (Puckapunyal, Vic)

Commander Forces Command

The following have held the position of Commander Forces Command or its preceding positions, with the ranks and honours as at the completion of their tenure:

colspan=5 style="background: white" \| Field Force Command
class="wikitable sortable" ! Rank	Name	Post-nominals	Term began	Term ended
Major General	{{sortname\|Kenneth\|Mackay\|Kenneth Mackay (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|CB,\|MBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1973}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1974}}{{cite journal\|last=Gillespie\|first=Ken\|author-link=Ken Gillespie\|date=2004\|title=Major General Kenneth Mackay, CB, MBE (1917–2004)\|journal=Australian Army Journal\|volume=2\|issue=1\|pages=247–249}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Donald\|Dunstan\|Donald Dunstan (governor)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|CB,\|CBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1974}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1977}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Mark\|Bradbury}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|CBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1977}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1979}}
Major General	{{sortname\|John\|Williamson\|John Williamson (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|OBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1979}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1980}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Ron\|Grey}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1980}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1983}}
Major General	{{sortname\|John\|Kelly\|John Kelly (Australian Army officer)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1983}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1984}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Lawrence\|O'Donnell\|Lawrence O'Donnell (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1985}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1986}}
colspan=5 style="background: white" \| Land Commander Australia
Major General	{{sortname\|Lawrence\|O'Donnell\|Lawrence O'Donnell (general)\|nolink=1}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1986}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1987}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Neville\|Smethurst}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|MBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1987}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1990}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Murray\|Blake}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|MC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1990}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1994}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Peter\|Arnison}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1994}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1996}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Frank\|Hickling}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1996}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1998}}
Major General	{{sortname\|John\|Hartley\|John Hartley (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1998}}	align=right\| {{dts\|2000}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Peter\|Cosgrove}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AC,\|MC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|March 2000}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2000}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Peter\|Abigail}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2000}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2002}}
Major General	{{sortname\|David\|Hurley}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2002}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2003}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Ken\|Gillespie}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSC,\|CSM}}	align=right\| {{dts\|January 2004}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2005}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Mark\|Kelly\|Mark Kelly (Australian general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2005}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2008}}
Major General	{{sortname\|David\|Morrison}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AM}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2008}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2009}}
colspan=6 style="background: white" \| Commander Forces Command
Major General	{{sortname\|David\|Morrison\|nolink=1}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2009}}	align=right\| {{dts\|June 2011}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Jeffrey\|Sengelman}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|DSC,\|AM,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|June 2011}}	align=right\| {{dts\|November 2011}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Michael\|Slater\|Michael Slater (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSC,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|November 2011}}	align=center\| 23 January 2015
Major General	{{sortname\|Gus\|Gilmore}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|23 January 2015}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2016}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Gus\|McLachlan}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2016}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2018}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Greg\|Bilton}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AM,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2018}}	align=right\| {{dts\|June 2019}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Chris\|Field\|Chris Field (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AM,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|June 2019}}	align=right\| {{dts\|February 2020}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Matt\|Pearse}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AM}}	align=right\| {{dts\|February 2020}}	align=right\| {{dts\|November 2022}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Susan\|Coyle}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|sep=,\|AM\|CSC\|DSM}}	align=right\| {{dts\|November 2022}}	align=right\| {{dts\|30 June 2024}}
Brigadier	{{sortname\|Nathan\|Juchniewicz}} (Acting)	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|sep=,\|DSC1\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|30 June 2024}}	align=right\| {{dts\|January 2025}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Ana\|Duncan}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|sep=,\|AM\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|January 2025}}	align=right\| Incumbent

References

Category:Military units and formations established in 2009

Category:Military units and formations of the Australian Army

colspan=5 style="background: white" \| Field Force Command
class="wikitable sortable" ! Rank	Name	Post-nominals	Term began	Term ended
Major General	{{sortname\|Kenneth\|Mackay\|Kenneth Mackay (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|CB,\|MBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1973}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1974}}{{cite journal\|last=Gillespie\|first=Ken\|author-link=Ken Gillespie\|date=2004\|title=Major General Kenneth Mackay, CB, MBE (1917–2004)\|journal=Australian Army Journal\|volume=2\|issue=1\|pages=247–249}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Donald\|Dunstan\|Donald Dunstan (governor)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|CB,\|CBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1974}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1977}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Mark\|Bradbury}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|CBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1977}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1979}}
Major General	{{sortname\|John\|Williamson\|John Williamson (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|OBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1979}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1980}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Ron\|Grey}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1980}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1983}}
Major General	{{sortname\|John\|Kelly\|John Kelly (Australian Army officer)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1983}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1984}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Lawrence\|O'Donnell\|Lawrence O'Donnell (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1985}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1986}}
colspan=5 style="background: white" \| Land Commander Australia
Major General	{{sortname\|Lawrence\|O'Donnell\|Lawrence O'Donnell (general)\|nolink=1}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1986}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1987}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Neville\|Smethurst}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|MBE}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1987}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1990}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Murray\|Blake}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|MC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1990}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1994}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Peter\|Arnison}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1994}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1996}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Frank\|Hickling}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1996}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1998}}
Major General	{{sortname\|John\|Hartley\|John Hartley (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|1998}}	align=right\| {{dts\|2000}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Peter\|Cosgrove}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AC,\|MC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|March 2000}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2000}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Peter\|Abigail}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2000}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2002}}
Major General	{{sortname\|David\|Hurley}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2002}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2003}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Ken\|Gillespie}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSC,\|CSM}}	align=right\| {{dts\|January 2004}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2005}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Mark\|Kelly\|Mark Kelly (Australian general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2005}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2008}}
Major General	{{sortname\|David\|Morrison}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AM}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2008}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2009}}
colspan=6 style="background: white" \| Commander Forces Command
Major General	{{sortname\|David\|Morrison\|nolink=1}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|July 2009}}	align=right\| {{dts\|June 2011}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Jeffrey\|Sengelman}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|DSC,\|AM,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|June 2011}}	align=right\| {{dts\|November 2011}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Michael\|Slater\|Michael Slater (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSC,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|November 2011}}	align=center\| 23 January 2015
Major General	{{sortname\|Gus\|Gilmore}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO,\|DSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|23 January 2015}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2016}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Gus\|McLachlan}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AO}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2016}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2018}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Greg\|Bilton}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AM,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|December 2018}}	align=right\| {{dts\|June 2019}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Chris\|Field\|Chris Field (general)}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AM,\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|June 2019}}	align=right\| {{dts\|February 2020}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Matt\|Pearse}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|AM}}	align=right\| {{dts\|February 2020}}	align=right\| {{dts\|November 2022}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Susan\|Coyle}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|sep=,\|AM\|CSC\|DSM}}	align=right\| {{dts\|November 2022}}	align=right\| {{dts\|30 June 2024}}
Brigadier	{{sortname\|Nathan\|Juchniewicz}} (Acting)	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|sep=,\|DSC1\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|30 June 2024}}	align=right\| {{dts\|January 2025}}
Major General	{{sortname\|Ana\|Duncan}}	{{post-nominals\|country=AUS\|sep=,\|AM\|CSC}}	align=right\| {{dts\|January 2025}}	align=right\| Incumbent