MAJOR GENERAL JAKE ELLWOOD DSC, AM
Major General Justin (‘Jake’) Ellwood was born
in Melbourne in 1970 and was educated at St
Kevin’s College, Toorak. He graduated from
the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1990
into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps.
After undertaking his regimental
appointments in the 2nd/4th Battalion he was
posted as an instructor at the Royal
Military College, Duntroon. He subsequently
served as Second in Command of a Warrior
Company on a two year exchange with the
Irish Guards in
Germany during which
time he deployed to Kosovo. Upon returning
to Australia he served as a Company
Commander and the Operations Officer in the
5/7th Battalion. During this period he
commanded a company on operations in East
Timor. After completing Australian Command
and Staff College, he served as the Brigade
Major of the 1st Brigade. His key staff
appointment has been as Director Reserves –
Army.
Major General Ellwood was
appointed as Commanding Officer of the 5th
Battalion from 2007 to 2008. During this
tenure he commanded a light armoured
battlegroup in Iraq and a light infantry
battlegroup in East Timor. He was then
posted as the Australian Army Liaison
Officer to the United States Marine Corps in
Quantico, Virginia, followed by a three
years posting as Commander of the Australian
Army’s Combat Training Centre. This posting
was followed by attendance at Higher Defence
College in Canberra. Brigadier Ellwood
subsequently deployed to Afghanistan as the
Chief of Current Operations within
Headquarters International Security and
Assistance Force/Headquarters Resolute
Support. Brigadier Ellwood is currently
serving as the Chief of Staff, Headquarters
Forces Command.
Major General
Ellwood was presented with a Commander
British Forces Commendation for his service
in Kosovo and a Divisional Commander’s
Commendation for his work as the Brigade
Major of the 1st Brigade. He was awarded
the Distinguished Service Cross for his
command and leadership in Iraq and a
Commendation for Distinguished Service for
his performance of duties in Afghanistan.
He holds a Bachelor
of Arts from Deakin University (with a
double major in Strategic Studies and
International Relations), a Master of Arts
(Strategic Studies) from Deakin University,
a Masters of Management (Defence Studies)
from the University of Canberra and a
Graduate Diploma in Secondary School
Education from Monash University.
Major General Ellwood is
married to Nicole. They have two older
children who are both studying at
University. Other than family pursuits, his
hobbies include long distance running,
fishing and scuba
diving.
