Major General Garth Gould, CSC DSM
Major General Gould assumed command as the Special Operations Commander Australia on 12 July 2024.
Raised in Cronulla, Australia, Major General Gould enlisted in 1993 though the Australian Defence Force Academy, graduating as an infantry officer in 1996.
Following selection as a Commando officer in 2001, Major General Gould served across multiple appointments in Australia’s 1st and 2nd Commando Regiments, as well as in Special Operations Headquarters. Major General Gould was the Liaison Officer to the United States Joint Special Operations Command and has fulfilled senior staff appointments in Forces Command focussed on training and modernisation. Operationally, Major General Gould has extensive experience at the tactical and theatre level including multiple deployments to Timor Leste and Afghanistan. He was the Task Force commander responsible for domestic counter terrorism in support of the 2014 G20 Leader’s Summit in Brisbane. More recently, he served as Director General Special Operations and the Chief of Staff of Army Headquarters.
Major General Gould has two master’s degrees in the fields of strategy and public policy. He is a distinguished graduate of the United States Army War College. He has been awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for leadership in action, a Conspicuous Service Cross, two United States Bronze Star Medals and an Army Commendation. He is married with three sons.