Michael Slater (general)

Major General Michael David (Mick) Slater is the current Commander Forces Command in the Australian Defence Force.

Early life
Mick Slater was born in Brisbane, Queensland, and educated at St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace. He later worked and studied his way through the Queensland University of Technology, joining the Australian Army in 1978, attending the Officer Cadet School, Portsea.

Service history
Slater has commanded at all levels from platoon to brigade level.

His operational commands have included the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, and the 3rd Brigade on operations in East Timor, during International Force for East Timor (INTERFET). Slater was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his distinguished command and leadership while commander of 2RAR on Operation Warden, in East Timor. Also he served as an operations staff officer in the United States 3rd Army Headquarters in Kuwait on Operation Pollard.

He has undertaken formal education in mobilisation planning in the United States of America, and is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College Fort Queenscliff, the Joint Services Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. Slater holds Masters’ Degrees in Strategic Studies and Business Administration.

In January 2011, Slater was appointed to lead the Flood Recovery Taskforce overseeing recovery from the 2010–2011 Queensland floods. This taskforce subsequently transitioned into the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, where Slater remained until 31 August 2011, formally handing over to former Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation, Major General Richard Wilson. For his efforts in heading the taskforce, along with his stints as Head of the Defence Personnel Executive and Commander 1st Division, Slater was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2012 Australia Day Honours List.

Personal
Mick Slater is married to Danielle and has three adult children from a previous marriage. He appeared on the Chaser's War On Everything because of his smart remarks to a newsreader.

Honours and awards