Australian Defence Force

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Australian Defence Force
Military manpower
Military age	16 years of age for selection process, 17 years of age is actual serving age (As of 2005)
Availability	males age 16-49: 4,943,676 (2005 est.)
Fit for military service	males age 16-49: 4,092,717 (2005 est.)
Reaching military age annually	males: 142,158 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures
Amount	US.8 billion (2005)
Percent of GDP	1.9% (2005)

The Australian Defence Force numbers about 53,000 full-time active duty personnel plus another 20,700 reservists. This exceeds the current target of 50,000 full-time personnel because of short-term increases necessary to fulfill Australia's commitment in East Timor. The ADF, although small numerically, is technologically sophisticated. It is the largest force in Oceania, and plays a significant role in peacekeeping operations around the world. The ADF's main strategic rivals are within the Asia-Pacific region.

Structure

The ADF comprises the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Special Operations Command. Australia's Department of Defence administers the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) consisting of the ADF and the civilian personnel supporting the ADF. The civilian support consists of activities such as the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO), the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) that purchases and maintains defence equipment, and the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) that provides science and technology support to the defence forces. Military academies include the Royal Military College - Duntroon for the Army; HMAS Creswell for the Navy, and the Officer Training School - RAAF Base Williams for the Air Force. The Australian Defence Force Academy is a Tri-Service university for officer cadets of all services wishing to attain a university degree through the Australian Defence Force.

Legal standing

The ADF is constituted under the Executive Government sections of the Australian Constitution, Section 68, that says, "The command in chief of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the Governor-General as the Queen's representative." (The Queen referred to in this Act of 9th July 1900 was Victoria. No mention of the air force is made, as aircraft were not then invented. Subsidiary and subsequent legislation handles these matters.)

In practice, the control of the ADF is, politically, vested in the Minister for Defence and several subordinate ministers. The Minister acts on most matters alone, however, important matters are considered by the National Security Committee of Cabinet. The Minister then advises the Governor-General who acts as advised in the normal form of executive government.

Officers of the ADF are commissioned by a document personally signed by the Governor-General, which is considered as a "Queen's Commission."

Current operations

Deployment to East Timor to quell recent unrest and return stability. The operation is headed by Brigadier Michael Slater, the Commander of the Army's 3rd Brigade based in Townsville, and commenced on 25 May 2006.

Operation Anode

• Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands

Operation Catalyst

• Rehabilitation of Iraq

Operation Spire

• Defence Support to East Timor

• Australia's contribution to the international Coalition against Terrorism

Chiefs of the Australian Defence Force

Chief of the Defence Force (CDF)

The position of Chief of the Defence Force was created after amending Defence legislation and came into effect on 25 October 1984.

• Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, AO from 4 July 2005
• General Peter Cosgrove, AC, MC 4 July 2002 to 3 July 2005
• Admiral Chris Barrie, AC, RAN 4 July 1998 to 3 July 2002
• General John Baker, AC, DSM 7 July 1995 to 3 July 1998
• Admiral Alan Beaumont, [[Order of Australia|[AC]], RAN 17 July 1993 to 6 July 1995
• General Peter Gration, AC, OBE 13 April 1987 to 16 April 1993
• General Sir Phillip Bennett, AC, KBE, DSO 25 October 1984 to 12 April 1987

Chief of Defence Force Staff (CDFS)

The position of Chief of Defence Force Staff was created after amending Defence legislation and came into effect on 9 February 1976.

• General Sir Phillip Bennett, KBE, AO, DSO 13 April 1984 to 25 October 1984
• Air Chief Marshal Sir Neville McNamara, KBE, AO, AFC, AE 21 April 1982 to 12 April 1984
• Admiral Sir Anthony Synnot, KBE, AO 21 April 1979 to 20 April 1982
• General Sir Arthur MacDonald, KBE, CB 21 April 1977 to 20 April 1979
• General Sir Francis Hassett, AC, KBE, CB, DSO, MVO 9 February 1976 to 20 April 1977

Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee

• General Sir Francis Hassett, AC, CB, CBE, DSO, MVO 24 November 1975 to 8 February 1976
• Admiral Sir Victor Smith, AC, KBE, CB, DSC 23 November 1970 to 23 November 1975
• General Sir John Wilton, KBE, CB, DSO 19 May 1966 to 22 November 1970
• Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Scherger, KBE, CB, DSO, AFC 28 May 1961 to 18 May 1966
• Vice Admiral Sir Roy Dowling, KBE, CB, DSO 23 March 1959 to 27 May 1961
• Lieutenant General Sir Henry Wells, KBE, CB, DSO 23 March 1958 to 22 March 1959

References

• http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/E4C6925EA8471D95CA2570DE0005C656?opendocument
• [''Your Defence Dollar: The 2004/05 Defence Budget] (Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 2004)

See also

• Military of Australia

External links

• [Defence Force Site]
• [Australian Defence Community at AusSpecialForces.com]

Australian Defence Force
Australian Army | Royal Australian Navy | Royal Australian Air Force

 

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