Defence Leaders: Other Leaders
Major General Michael Peter Crane, DSC, AM
Head Military Strategic Commitments
Michael Crane was born in Hobart and educated at St Virgil’s College and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He was commissioned into the Royal Australian Artillery in 1980.
Michael’s early appointments were in 4th Field Regiment and 8/12th Medium Regiment. He also served as a tactics instructor at Duntroon and, following advanced gunnery training in Canada, as a gunnery instructor at the School of Artillery.
As a major, Michael served as a battery commander in 4th Field Regiment, then as Staff Officer to the Army’s Chief of Personnel. As a lieutenant colonel, he worked as Deputy Director Military Strategy in Australian Defence Force Headquarters before returning to 4th Field Regiment as Commanding Officer. In the latter appointment he saw operational service in East Timor.
Michael was promoted to colonel in 2000 to command the Army Recruit Training Centre. In 2003, he was promoted to brigadier and appointed Director General Pacific in the Department of Defence’s International Policy Division. From July 2005, he served as Chief of Staff in Headquarters Joint Operations Command. In November 2006, he assumed command of Joint Task Force 633, with responsibility for all Australian forces in the Middle East Area of Operations. On his return to Australia in May 2007, he took up the position of Director General Policy Support in Defence’s Policy Development Division. In February 2008, he was promoted to major general and assumed his current appointment as Head Military Strategic Commitments.
Michael is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, the Joint Services Staff College, the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and the United Kingdom Higher Command and Staff Course. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in science, defence and strategic studies. In January 2002, he was appointed a Member in the Order of Australia for his service as Commanding Officer 4th Field Regiment and Commandant Army Recruit Training Centre. In January 2008, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service in the Middle East.
Michael is married to Meredythe and they have three daughters. His interests include reading, listening to jazz and playing hockey.