18 Facts About Wade Stothart

Wade Stothart joined the army via the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1987 and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.

Wade Stothart has commanded the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, ANZAC Battle Group and Combined Team Uruzgan, and deployed on operations to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Timor-Leste as part of Operations Tanager and Astute, and to Afghanistan and Kuwait.

Wade Stothart was appointed Head People Capability in December 2021.

Wade Stothart graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1989.

In September 1997, Wade Stothart deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Operation Osier, Australia's contribution to support British operations under the NATO Stabilisation Force.

Wade Stothart's role was, with the aid of a Royal Marines driver and a local interpreter, to liaise with the Bosnian units in his area and with the corps headquarters in Sarajevo.

Wade Stothart returned to Australia in March 1998 and was appointed a company commander in the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.

Shortly following his return to Australia in 2001, Wade Stothart was awarded a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Deakin University.

Wade Stothart then completed the Australian Command and Staff College in 2002, graduating with the Governor-General's Prize and a Master of Management from the University of Canberra.

Wade Stothart was appointed Staff Officer Policy to the Chief of the Defence Force in 2006 and assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment in December 2007.

Wade Stothart was deployed to Afghanistan in July 2013 and assumed command of Combined Team Uruzgan from Colonel Simon Stuart at Multinational Base Tarin Kowt on 7 August.

Wade Stothart returned to Australia later that month and, for his "distinguished command and leadership" in Afghanistan, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in the 2015 Australia Day Honours.

Wade Stothart completed the Defence and Strategic Studies Course in 2014, graduating with the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Prize and a Master of Politics and Policy through Deakin University.

Wade Stothart was credited with making "significant contributions to the reform and improvement of career management and Army's people capability through his exceptional leadership, professionalism and dedication" during his two and a half years in the role, for which he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2018 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Wade Stothart was the senior Australian imbedded in the United States-led headquarters, and oversaw the delivery of strategic and operational plans to deny ISIS a chance of resurgence.

Wade Stothart returned to Australia at the end of his twelve-month deployment in December 2018 and was appointed Director General of Army People Capability.

In December 2021, Wade Stothart was promoted to major general and succeeded Major General Natasha Fox as Head People Capability, with oversight for the recruitment, retention and transition of personnel and the workforce structure of the Australian Defence Force.

Wade Stothart is married to Group Captain Susan Wade Stothart, a senior officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.