David Hurley

General David John Hurley (born 26 August 1953) is a senior officer in the Australian Defence Force, currently serving in the position of Chief of the Defence Force (CDF). Hurley succeeded Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston as CDF on 4 July 2011.

Personal
David Hurley was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, on 26 August 1953. He holds the academic qualifications of Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies. He is married to Linda and has three children.

Career
Hurley joined the ADF in January 1972 and graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in December 1975 into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. His initial posting was to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR). Promoted to captain, he was appointed Adjutant of the Sydney University Regiment before becoming Regimental Adjutant of the Royal Australian Regiment. He went on exchange to the 1st Battalion, Irish Guards (British Army) before serving with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5/7 RAR).

Promoted to lieutenant colonel, he was posted as the Senior Career Adviser (Armour, Artillery, Engineers and Infantry) in the Office of the Military Secretary in 1990, appointed SO1 (Operations) Headquarters 2nd Division in early 1991 and in November 1991 assumed command of 1 RAR which he led during Operation SOLACE (Somalia) in 1993. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for this service. In 1994 he became SO1 (Operations), Headquarters 1st Division.

Following promotion to colonel, he was appointed Chief of Staff, Headquarters 1st Division in June 1994, attended the U.S. Army War College in 1996 and 1997, became Military Secretary to Chief of Army, and was posted to Australian Defence Headquarters as Director of Preparedness and Mobilisation in December 1997.

As a brigadier, he assumed command of the 1st Brigade in Darwin in January 1999. During this period he oversaw the Brigade's transition to a higher degree of operational readiness and its support to Australian led operations in East Timor. He went on to be Director General Land Development within Capability Systems in January 2001.

He was promoted to major general in 2001 and served as Head Capability Systems Division from July 2001, and as Land Commander Australia (LCAUST) from December 2002.

Promoted to lieutenant general, he assumed the new appointment of Chief of Capability Development Group (CCDG) in December 2003, went on to take the newly separated appointment of Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS) in September 2007, and became Vice Chief of the Defence Force (VCDF) in July 2008.

He was promoted to (full) general and took his present role of Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) in July 2011.

In January 2012 he completed 40 years service to the ADF, and on 20 January whilst in Paris, he was presented with the insignia for Officer of the (French) Legion of Honour by the French CDF. In February he was presented with his fifth bar to the Defence Force Service Medal, and with the DFSM ribbon with the Federation Star, in recognition of his 40 years of service.

Honours and awards







 * Badges
 * Infantry Combat Badge