BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS

Brigadier Paul Symon, AM

Born in Melbourne in 1960, Brigadier Paul Symon completed his Higher School Certificate at Scotch College, Hawthorn, before entering the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1979. On graduating from the College in 1982 he was allotted to the Royal Australian Artillery.

He has seen regimental service in the 8th/12th Medium Regiment and three tours with the 1st Field Regiment. He commanded the 1st Field Regiment in 1998-1999. In recognition of his service in command, and in concert with his operational duty in East Timor, he was named a Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia in the 2000 Queen’s Birthday Honours List. He has held an exchange instructor’s position at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom.

Brigadier Symon has served in a number of staff appointments. In 1986 he was posted as Aide de Camp to the Chief of the General Staff and in 1996 he was posted as the Military Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Army. He has served in the Directorate of Officer Career Management - Army and, more recently, at the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters; first, as Staff Officer Grade One Training and Joint Offensive Support and then, on promotion to Colonel, as Chief of Staff. He served as Director-General Pacific, International Policy Division, on promotion to Brigadier, in 2005.

Brigadier Symon has deployed overseas on four occasions. In 1997, on promotion to Lieutenant Colonel, he was Commander of the Australian Service Contingent (COMASC) to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO). This service included field postings on the Golan Heights and in Southern Lebanon. In June 1999 he was appointed COMASC and Chief Military Operations Officer for the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET). Following his evacuation from Dili in September 1999, he served as Chief Liaison Officer between UNAMET and the International Force East Timor (INTERFET). In July 2003, he was appointed Military Adviser to the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands (RAMSI). In November 2005, he assumed the appointment of Commander, Middle East Area of Operations. This appointment incorporates national command of Australian troops serving on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He was awarded the Sword of Honour at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College, Queenscliff, and the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in Canberra. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Defence Studies from the University of New South Wales. He also holds a Master of Arts (Strategic Studies) from Deakin University.

Personal Details

Brigadier Symon is married with two children. He is a keen sportsman who enjoys rugby, running and reading.