BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

Brigadier Michael Crane, AM

Brigadier Michael Crane was educated at St Virgil’s College, Hobart, and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He was commissioned into the Royal Australian Artillery in 1980, and awarded the degree of Bachelor of Science (Honours) in 1981.

Michael’s early regimental appointments were in 4 th Field Regiment, and 8 th/12 th Medium Regiment. He served as a tactics instructor at Duntroon and, following training in Canada, as an Instructor in Gunnery at the School of Artillery.

On promotion to Major in 1990, Michael attended the Army Command and Staff College. As part of the course, he undertook a Graduate Diploma in Defence Studies at Deakin University. He then returned to 4 th Field Regiment as a Battery Commander. Subsequently, he was posted as Staff Officer to the Assistant Chief of the Army - Personnel.

Michael was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1994 and attended the Australian National University, where he read for a Masters degree in Strategic Studies. On completion of his studies he was posted as the Deputy Director Military Strategy in Development Division, Headquarters Australian Defence Force. He attended the Joint Services Staff College before being appointed Commanding Officer 4 th Field Regiment. During his tenure in command he saw operational service in East Timor.

Michael took up the appointment of Commandant of the Army Recruit Training Centre on promotion to Colonel in 2000. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in January 2002, and attended the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in Canberra that year. He was promoted to Brigadier in December 2002, and served as Director General Pacific Branch, International Policy Division, before attending the Higher Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom. He assumed duty as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Operations Command, in July 2005. Brigadier Crane is currently deployed to Iraq as the commander of all Australian Forces in the Middle East area of operations.

Michael’s interests include reading and listening to jazz. He and his wife, Meredythe, have three daughters, Katherine, Bridget and Elizabeth.