HOC Biographies

Brigadier Sue Graham enlisted in the Australian Army in 1990, initially in the Army Reserve, completing her Officer training through the Sydney University Regiment concurrent with her university studies. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Corps of Transport in mid-1993, later transferring to full time Army service in January 1997. 

Brigadier Graham served in a range of training, command and staff appointments at both unit and formation headquarters level before her promotion to Major. She was then appointed the Officer Commanding the Ship’s Army Detachment on the amphibious transport ship, HMAS KANIMBLA in 2004 and attended the Australian Command and Staff College in 2007. Brigadier Graham was subsequently appointed as the lead logistics Staff Officer for the Army’s 3rd Brigade in Townsville.

On promotion to Lieutenant Colonel she was appointed head of the Civil-Military Cooperation cell at the Brisbane-based Headquarters 1st Division. She received a Silver Army commendation for this role. Her following appointment was as the lead developer of Logistics Policy at Army Headquarters.

In July 2014, Brigadier Graham was appointed the Commanding Officer of the Joint Logistics Unit (South Queensland), charged with providing logistics support to over 100 ADF units. During her tenure, the unit consolidated from four disparate locations into purpose-built facilities at RAAF Base Amberley. Brigadier Graham received the Conspicuous Service Cross for this period of service.

Following promotion to Colonel in July 2016, Brigadier Graham served as Colonel Logistics (G4) at Headquarters Forces Command before her appointment as Army Advisor, United Kingdom and Defence Attaché Ireland over 2018-2019. She completed the 12-month Defence Strategic Studies Course at the Australian War College in 2020 and on promotion to Brigadier commenced her current appointment as Director General Logistics – Army within Army Headquarters in December 2020.

Her operational service consists of peace-enforcing, peacekeeping and humanitarian assistance deployments. She deployed to East Timor in 1999/2000, initially in a liaison role before transitioning to facilitate logistic supply to the south west sector of the country, receiving a Commander Australian Theatre commendation for this period of service. She later deployed to Indonesia as part of the ADF disaster relief contribution following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami/2005 Aceh Earthquake; and was seconded to the Queensland Government as a recovery planner during the response to the 2011 Brisbane floods and Cyclone Yasi.

Brigadier Graham holds Master of Arts in both International Relations and Strategy and Management, and a Master of Business Administration. Brigadier Graham is a graduate of the Australian Company Directors Course and the Advanced Leadership Program delivered by Women & Leadership Australia.

Lieutenant Colonel Philippa (Pip) Cleary was born in 1978 in Bowral, New South Wales. She grew up on a dairy farm in nearby Burrawang and is the second youngest of seven children.

Following completion of Year 12 at Chevalier College Bowral, LTCOL Cleary joined the Australian Army in January 1997. She has undertaken tertiary study at both undergraduate and graduate levels. She graduated with distinction from the Australian Command and Staff College in 2015 with a Masters in Military Studies.

LTCOL Cleary has served in a broad range of postings that, while they have not been part of a traditional RACT Officer trajectory, have ensured she is comfortable working in single service and joint environments. Her postings have included JMCO Darwin, 3 CSSB, 17 CSS Bde, HQ JOC, 1 RTB, Office of the CDF, HQ RMC-A and, most recently, the Office of the Chief of Army as his speechwriter. 

LTCOL Cleary deployed as a transport troop commander to Basrah, Iraq in 2003 with 3 Close Support Battalion, Royal Logistic Corps, whilst on Exercise Long Look. She also deployed as a United Nations Peace Keeper in Sudan in 2009/10. Her experience in these roles strengthened her understanding and expertise in the provision of logistic and movements support. 

She believes that emotional intelligence, demonstration of strong character and fostering positive and collaborative relationships with all stakeholders is essential to the achievement of the Army School of Transport’s mission. 

LTCOL Cleary is well supported by her husband, ex-serving Army Officer Jamie McRae. They have four young children, Hamish, Fergus, Bridie and Hugh who keep them busy.  As being a Parramatta fan is a recipe for disappointment, Pip and Jamie also enjoy gardening, farming and spending time with friends and family. 

Warrant Officer Class One Robert Gentles was born and educated in Western Sydney, New South Wales, and enlisted into the Army in 1989. Since then, he has spent his Service in the Royal Australian Transport Corps.

On completion of his initial employment training, Warrant Officer Gentles was posted to the 10th Terminal Regiment for a period of three years. Over the coming 17 years, he was posted to HMAS Tobruk, Army Logistic Training Centre North Queensland, HMAS Kanimbla, 1st Recruit Training Battalion and Special Operation Logistic Squadron. During his time in these units, Warrant Officer Gentles served as a cargo specialist, a CPL instructor for trade courses.

In 2007, Warrant Officer Gentles was posted to the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, were he commenced his Regimental career within Royal Australian Corps of Transport. During his time at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, he was employed as a Platoon Sergeant within Bravo and Delta companies.

Warrant Officer Gentles then completed a posting to HMAS Tobruk as the Ships Sergeant Major, within the Sydney region. During this time, Warrant Officer Gentles participated in a joint amphibious exercise involving American and English forces.

In 2011, Warrant Officer Gentles was subsequently posted to the 1st Recruit Training Battalion and served as the Company Sergeant Major of Echo Company. In 2014, Warrant Officer Gentles was posted to the Special Operations Logistic Squadron, as the Squadron Sergeant Major.

In 2016, Warrant Officer Gentles was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One and appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 10th Force Support Battalion.

In 2018, Warrant Officer Gentles was appointed as the Career Advisor for RACT ECN’s 035, 171 and 218 at the Directorate of Soldier Career Management - Army.

In 2021, Warrant Officer Gentles was appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army School of Transport as well as the Corps Regimental Sergeant Major.

During his time in the Army, Warrant Officer Gentles has been on operations to Somalia in 1991, Bougainville in 1998 and 1999, Banda Ache in 2005, Border Patrol in 2010 and South Sudan in 2015. He has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal (Somalia clasp), Australian Service Medal (Bougainville and South Sudan clasps), Operational Service Medal (Border Protection), Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (Indian Ocean), Defence Long Service Medal, Australian Defence Medal and United Nations medal.

Warrant Officer Gentles is married to Anita and has one son, Robert who is 25, and a daughter Alexandra who is 22. The family enjoys overseas travel, and Warrant Officer Gentles enjoys golf and watching Rugby League.