Peter Leahy
| Peter Francis Leahy | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Born |
30 October 1952 Melbourne, Victoria |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1971–2008 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held |
Chief of Army (2002–08) Deputy Chief of Army (2000–02) 3rd Brigade (1997–98) 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1990–92) |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of Australia |
Lieutenant General Peter Francis Leahy AC (born 30 October 1952) is a retired senior officer of the Australian Army, whose military career culminated with his appointment as Chief of the Army from 2002 until 2008. He has been director of the National Security Institute, University of Canberra, since October 2008.
Leahy was born in Melbourne, Victoria, on 30 October 1952. He entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1971, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Military Studies in 1974 and being commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
Leahy's early career included instructional duties at the Officer Cadet School, Portsea and command of a company of Gurkha soldiers during an exchange posting with 10th Princess Mary's Own Gurkha Rifles in Hong Kong. Over a three-year period he was a student and an instructor at the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Later in his career he was the Commanding Officer of the 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Military Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff, Director of Army Research and Analysis, Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Chief of Staff of Headquarters Australian Theatre and Deputy Chief of Army.
Leahy was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed Chief of Army on 28 June 2002. His appointment was extended by a further three years in June 2005, and he retired from the Army on 3 July 2008. Leahy is the longest serving incumbent of the position since General Sir Harry Chauvel in the 1920s, and the only Chief of Army with no operational service in a theatre of war. His honours and awards represent distinguished, long and overseas exchange service not involving combat or operational duties. He visited Australian troops deployed on combat duties overseas during his time as Chief of Army but was never himself posted to the force establishment of any operational unit.
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