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{{Short description|Australian major-general (b.1960)}}
{{Infobox military person
{{distinguish|Paul Simon (disambiguation){{!}}Paul Simon}}
|name = Paul Bruce Symon
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
|birth_date = 1960
{{Use Australian English|date=May 2016}}
|birth_place = [[Melbourne]], Victoria
{{Infobox officeholder
|death_place =
|honorific-prefix = [[Major general (Australia)|Major General]]
|placeofburial =
|name = Paul Symon
|placeofburial_label =
|honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AO}}
|image =
|caption =
|image = PaulSymonPortrait.jpg
|nickname =
|imagesize =
|allegiance = {{flag|Australia}}
|alt =
|serviceyears = 1982–present
|caption =
|rank = [[Major General (Australia)|Major General]]
|order = [[Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service#List of Directors-General|12th]]
|branch = [[Australian Army]]
|office = Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
|term_start = 18 December 2017
|commands = [[Defence Intelligence Organisation|Director Defence Intelligence Organisation]]<br/>[[Deputy Chief of Army (Australia)|Deputy Chief of Army]]<br/>[[1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery]]
|unit =
|term_end = 20 February 2023
|predecessor = [[Nick Warner]]
|battles = [[Iraq War]]<br/>[[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|War in Afghanistan]]
|awards = [[Order of Australia|Officer of the Order of Australia]]
|successor = [[Kerri Hartland]]
|laterwork =
|birth_date = {{birth year and age|1960}}
|birth_place = [[Melbourne]], Australia
|death_date =
|death_place =
|nationality = Australian
|alma_mater = [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]]<br />[[Deakin University]]<br />[[University of New South Wales]]
|occupation = [[Australian Army]] officer<br />[[Public servant]]
|profession =
|cabinet =
|committees =
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<!--Military service-->
|nickname =
|allegiance = Australia
|branch = [[Australian Army]]
|serviceyears = 1979–2015
|rank = [[Major general (Australia)|Major General]]
|unit =
|commands = [[Defence Intelligence Organisation]] (2011–14)<br />[[Deputy Chief of Army (Australia)|Deputy Chief of Army]] (2009–11)<br />Joint Task Force 633 (2005–06)<br />[[1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery]] (1998–99)
|battles = [[United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor|East Timor]]<br />[[Iraq War]]<br />[[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]]
|mawards = [[Officer of the Order of Australia]]
}}
}}
[[Major general (Australia)|Major General]] '''Paul Bruce Symon''', {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AO}} (born 1960) is a retired senior [[Australian Army]] officer and public servant. He served as [[Deputy Chief of Army (Australia)|Deputy Chief of Army]] from 2009 to 2011, Director of the [[Defence Intelligence Organisation]] from 2011 to 2014 and,<ref>[http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/working/issue/4/articles/13.html Defence Magazine] – "DIO at the forefront", Issue 4, 2012.</ref> following his retirement from the army, was Director-General of the [[Australian Secret Intelligence Service]] from 18 December 2017 to 20 February 2023.<ref>[https://www.pm.gov.au/media/maintaining-strong-and-secure-australia "Maintaining a Strong and Secure Australia"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324165801/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/maintaining-strong-and-secure-australia |date=24 March 2018 }} Prime Minister of Australia press release, 1 December 2017</ref><ref>[http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/malcolm-turnbull-names-spy-chief-nick-warner-to-lead-new-security-agency-20171201-gzwx5g.html "Malcolm Turnbull names spy chief Nick Warner to lead new security agency"] The Canberra Times, 1 December 2017</ref>

[[Major General (Australia)|Major General]] '''Paul Bruce Symon''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|AO}} was a senior officer in the [[Australian Army]]. He formally served as Director [[Defence Intelligence Organisation]] to 2014, as [[Deputy Chief of Army (Australia)|Deputy Chief of Army]] from 2009 to 2011.<ref>[http://www.defence.gov.au/defencemagazine/working/issue/4/articles/13.html Defence Magazine] – "DIO at the forefront", Issue 4, 2012.</ref>


==Military career==
==Military career==
A graduate on the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]]. He served in Kokoda Company and in 1982 was the senior cadet - Battalion Sergeant Major - and the recipient of the Sword of Honour, Major General Symon was allotted to the [[Royal Australian Artillery|Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery]] (RAA) and has seen service with the gunners in many postings, culminating in command of the [[1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery|1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery]] in 1998–1999.
Symon was educated at [[Scotch College, Melbourne]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/ad-aspi/2020-11/Paul%20Symon%20-%20Bio.pdf?QYnmg2AXdqYniIqZFniEB8zvtpFP3rt3= | title=Biography: Paul Symon, AO}}</ref> and entered the [[Royal Military College, Duntroon]], as an [[Australian Army]] [[officer cadet]] in 1979, and was allotted to Kokoda Company. In his final year at Duntroon in 1982 he was the senior cadet – Battalion Sergeant Major – and graduated as the recipient of the Sword of Honour. Symon was allotted to the [[Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery]] (RAA) and over his career saw service with the gunners in many postings, culminating in command of the [[1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery|1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery]] in 1998 to 1999.


Symon has served on operations four times. His most important joint command was in late 2005 until mid-2006 when appointed Commander Middle East. This appointment gave him national command responsibility for all soldiers, sailors and airmen/women in [[Iraq]] and [[Afghanistan]]. His command coincided with the Australia's only death in Iraq, that of Private Jake Kovco.
Symon served on four operational deployments. His most important joint command was in late 2005 until mid-2006 when appointed Commander Middle East (Joint Task Force 633). This appointment gave him national command responsibility for all Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen/women in [[Iraq War|Iraq]] and [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|Afghanistan]]. His command coincided with Australia's only death in Iraq, that of Private [[Jake Kovco]].


Symon advised the [[Special Representative of the Secretary-General for East Timor|United Nations Special Representative in East Timor]] in the four months prior to the deployment of [[International Force for East Timor]], known as INTERFET. This entailed close liaison with the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces|Indonesian military]], [[Falintil]] and militia leaders prior to, during, and after the [[1999 East Timorese crisis|vote for independence in 1999]]. For his leadership in East Timor and in command, he was named a Member of the [[Order of Australia]] in the 2000 Queen’s Birthday honours list.<ref>[http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1133709&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] – Member of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2000<br>Citation: ''For distinguished service as the Commander Joint Task Force 633 on Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER."</ref>
Symon advised the [[Special Representative of the Secretary-General for East Timor|United Nations Special Representative in East Timor]] in the four months prior to the deployment of [[International Force for East Timor]], known as INTERFET. This entailed close liaison with the [[Indonesian National Armed Forces|Indonesian military]], [[Falintil]] and militia leaders prior to, during, and after the [[1999 East Timorese crisis|vote for independence in 1999]]. For his leadership in East Timor and in command, he was appointed a [[Member of the Order of Australia]] in the [[2000 Birthday Honours]].<ref>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1133709 It's an Honour] – Member of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2000<br />Citation: "For distinguished service as the Commander Joint Task Force 633 on Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER."</ref>


In 1997 he served with the [United Nations in South Lebanon and the Golan Heights]] in a period of great tension between [[Hezbollah]] and the [[Israeli Defence Force]]. And in 2003, he was appointed as the senior military adviser for the [[Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands|Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands]] It was in this period that a significant number of militia leaders were jailed and a very successful gun amnesty organised.
In 1997 he served with the [[United Nations Truce Supervision Organization]] in a period of great tension between [[Hezbollah]] and the [[Israeli Defence Force]]. And in 2003, he was appointed as the senior military adviser for the [[Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands|Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands]] It was in this period that a significant number of militia leaders were jailed and a very successful gun amnesty organised.


Symon has taught at the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] (RMAS)., in the UK, has served as Army’s Director General of Personnel, its Director General of Preparedness and Plans, Director General Pacific in International Policy Division, Chief of Staff of Army’s 1st Division in Brisbane and Deputy Chief of Army.
Symon has taught at the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] in the UK, and has served as Army's Director-General of Personnel, Director-General of Preparedness and Plans and [[Deputy Chief of Army (Australia)|Deputy Chief of Army]]. He has also served as Director-General Pacific in International Policy Division and Chief of Staff of Army's [[1st Division (Australia)|1st Division]] in Brisbane.


Academically, Symon holds two [[Master's degree]]s: from [[Deakin University]] and from the [[University of New South Wales]]. He is a graduate of Australian Army Command & Staff College and of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in Canberra.
Academically, Symon holds two Master's degrees: from [[Deakin University]] and from the [[University of New South Wales]]. He is a graduate of [[Australian Command and Staff College]] and of the [[Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies]] in [[Canberra]].


He was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] (AO) in the 2007 Australia Day honours list in recognition of his operational service in the Middle East.
Symon was appointed an [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] in the [[2007 Australia Day Honours]] in recognition of his operational service in the Middle East.<ref>[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1133709 It's an Honour] – Officer of the Order of Australia</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Symon is married to (Kate) and they have two children. He gains pleasure running half marathons and in the company of his family and friends.
Symon is married to Kate and they have two children. He enjoys running half marathons and sharing the company of his family and friends.


Symon has a strong liking for singer-songwriter [[Adele]], [[Australian Football League|AFL]] club [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]], and poetry.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-20/australias-spy-chief-paul-symon-is-on-twitter/9567580|title=Twitter account of spy chief Paul Symon reveals penchant for poetry, Adele and Carlton Football Club|newspaper=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation|ABC]]|date=20 March 2018}}</ref>
==Honours and awards==
<center>
[[Image:Order of Australia (Military) ribbon.png|100px]]
[[Image:Australian Active Service Medal ribbon.png|100px]]
[[Image:Iraq Medal (Australia) ribbon.png|100px]]
[[File:Australian Service Medal ribbon.png|100px]]

[[File:DFSM with Rosette x 3.png|100x30px]]
[[Image:Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png|100px]]
[[File:UNITED NATIONS OBSERVATION GROUP IN LEBANON.jpg|100px]]
[[File:UNAMET Medal bar.gif|100px]]
</center>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Image:Order of Australia (Military) ribbon.png|50px]] || [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] (AO) || 26 January 2007 (Australia Day Honours List)<ref>[http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1133709&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] – Officer of the Order of Australia</ref>
|-
| [[Member of the Order of Australia]] (AM) || 12 June 2000 (Queen's Birthday Honours List)<ref>[http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1136691&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] – Member of the Order of Australia</ref>
|-
|[[Image:Australian Active Service Medal ribbon.png|50px]] || [[Australian Active Service Medal]] ||
|-
|[[Image:Iraq Medal (Australia) ribbon.png|50px]] || [[Iraq Medal (Australia)|Iraq Medal]] ||
|-
|[[File:Australian Service Medal ribbon.png|50px]] || [[Australian Service Medal]] ||
|-
|[[File:DFSM with Rosette x 3.png|50px]] || [[Defence Force Service Medal]] with 3 clasps || 30–34 years service
|-
|[[Image:Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png|50px]] || [[Australian Defence Medal]] ||
|-
|[[File:UNITED NATIONS OBSERVATION GROUP IN LEBANON.jpg|50px]] || [[United Nations Medal]] || for United Nations Observation Group in Lebanon (has a '2' device to denote second award (not shown)
|-
|[[File:UNAMET Medal bar.gif|50px]] || [[United Nations Medal]] || for [[United Nations Mission in East Timor]]
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Paul Symon}}
*[http://www.defence.gov.au/leaders/army/paulSymon/New%20Image-%20low%20res.JPG Official photo] ([http://www.defence.gov.au/copyright.cfm copyright])
*[http://www.defence.gov.au/leaders/army/paulSymon/index.htm Defence Leaders page entry]


{{S-start}}
{{S-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
{{succession box|
{{succession box|
title=[[Defence Intelligence Organisation|Director, Defence Intelligence Organisation]]|
title=[[Defence Intelligence Organisation|Director Defence Intelligence Organisation]]|
before=Major General [[Richard Wilson (general)|Richard Wilson]]|
before=Major General [[Richard Wilson (general)|Richard Wilson]]|
after=Air Vice Marshal [[John McGarry (RAAF officer)|John McGarry]]|
after=Incumbent|
years=2011–|
years=2011–2014|
}}
}}
{{succession box|
{{succession box|
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years=2009–2011|
years=2009–2011|
}}
}}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Nick Warner]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service]]|years=2017–2023}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Kerri Hartland]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{S-end}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Symon, Paul
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian general
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1960
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Melbourne, Victoria
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Symon, Paul}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Symon, Paul}}
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Academics of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Academics of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Australian generals]]
[[Category:Australian generals]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Melbourne]]
[[Category:Deakin University alumni]]
[[Category:Directors-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Royal Military College, Duntroon graduates]]
[[Category:Royal Military College, Duntroon graduates]]
[[Category:University of New South Wales alumni]]

Latest revision as of 20:13, 14 November 2024

Not to be confused with Paul Simon.

Major General
Paul Symon
AO
12th Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
In office
18 December 2017 – 20 February 2023
Preceded byNick Warner
Succeeded byKerri Hartland
Personal details
Born1960 (age 63–64)
Melbourne, Australia
Alma materRoyal Military College, Duntroon
Deakin University
University of New South Wales
OccupationAustralian Army officer
Public servant
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceAustralian Army
Years of service1979–2015
RankMajor General
CommandsDefence Intelligence Organisation (2011–14)
Deputy Chief of Army (2009–11)
Joint Task Force 633 (2005–06)
1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (1998–99)
Battles/warsEast Timor
Iraq War
War in Afghanistan
AwardsOfficer of the Order of Australia

Major General Paul Bruce Symon, AO (born 1960) is a retired senior Australian Army officer and public servant. He served as Deputy Chief of Army from 2009 to 2011, Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation from 2011 to 2014 and,[1] following his retirement from the army, was Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service from 18 December 2017 to 20 February 2023.[2][3]

Military career

[edit]

Symon was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne,[4] and entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, as an Australian Army officer cadet in 1979, and was allotted to Kokoda Company. In his final year at Duntroon in 1982 he was the senior cadet – Battalion Sergeant Major – and graduated as the recipient of the Sword of Honour. Symon was allotted to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) and over his career saw service with the gunners in many postings, culminating in command of the 1st Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery in 1998 to 1999.

Symon served on four operational deployments. His most important joint command was in late 2005 until mid-2006 when appointed Commander Middle East (Joint Task Force 633). This appointment gave him national command responsibility for all Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen/women in Iraq and Afghanistan. His command coincided with Australia's only death in Iraq, that of Private Jake Kovco.

Symon advised the United Nations Special Representative in East Timor in the four months prior to the deployment of International Force for East Timor, known as INTERFET. This entailed close liaison with the Indonesian military, Falintil and militia leaders prior to, during, and after the vote for independence in 1999. For his leadership in East Timor and in command, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2000 Birthday Honours.[5]

In 1997 he served with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization in a period of great tension between Hezbollah and the Israeli Defence Force. And in 2003, he was appointed as the senior military adviser for the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands It was in this period that a significant number of militia leaders were jailed and a very successful gun amnesty organised.

Symon has taught at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK, and has served as Army's Director-General of Personnel, Director-General of Preparedness and Plans and Deputy Chief of Army. He has also served as Director-General Pacific in International Policy Division and Chief of Staff of Army's 1st Division in Brisbane.

Academically, Symon holds two Master's degrees: from Deakin University and from the University of New South Wales. He is a graduate of Australian Command and Staff College and of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in Canberra.

Symon was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2007 Australia Day Honours in recognition of his operational service in the Middle East.[6]

Personal life

[edit]

Symon is married to Kate and they have two children. He enjoys running half marathons and sharing the company of his family and friends.

Symon has a strong liking for singer-songwriter Adele, AFL club Carlton, and poetry.[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Defence Magazine – "DIO at the forefront", Issue 4, 2012.
  2. ^ "Maintaining a Strong and Secure Australia" Archived 24 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine Prime Minister of Australia press release, 1 December 2017
  3. ^ "Malcolm Turnbull names spy chief Nick Warner to lead new security agency" The Canberra Times, 1 December 2017
  4. ^ "Biography: Paul Symon, AO" (PDF).
  5. ^ It's an Honour – Member of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2000
    Citation: "For distinguished service as the Commander Joint Task Force 633 on Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER."
  6. ^ It's an Honour – Officer of the Order of Australia
  7. ^ "Twitter account of spy chief Paul Symon reveals penchant for poetry, Adele and Carlton Football Club". ABC. 20 March 2018.
Military offices
Preceded by
Major General Richard Wilson
 Director Defence Intelligence Organisation
2011–2014 		Succeeded by
Air Vice Marshal John McGarry
Preceded by
Major General David Morrison
 Deputy Chief of Army
2009–2011 		Succeeded by
Major General Jeffrey Sengelman
Government offices
Preceded by Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
2017–2023 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Paul_Symon&oldid=1257415909"