Brigadier 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.

Brigadier 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.

 Brigadier 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.