Head of Corps
The Head of Corps is seen by the Chief of Army and Corps members as a trusted adviser and effective advocate for the preservation of Corps capability, heritage and values. The Corps Committee, as the principal forum for the provision of advice to the Head of Corps and coordination of key Corps activities, is recognised as the authoritative promoter of Corps traditions. The Honorary Colonels are accepted and supported within regions as the authorised representatives of the Head of Corps and mentors for the fostering of Corps traditions and values.
Brigadier Deane Limmer, CSM
Brigadier Limmer graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon into the Royal Australian Corps of Signals in June 1998. Since this time, he has been fortunate to experience a range of signals appointments across land, special operations, strategic and training domains, as well as a number of broad all corps strategic-level roles.
Brigadier Limmer’s key signals appointments include Commanding Officer of the Defence Force School of Signals and Director of the Land Command, Control, Communications and Computing Program in Army Headquarters. Broader appointments include Military Strategic Commitments and in Career Management as well as Incident Management within Army Headquarters. In 2023 he was fortunate to act as an Assistant Secretary in Contestability Division, within Strategic Policy and Industry Group. Brigadier Limmer assumed command of the 6th Brigade in December 2023.
Brigadier Limmer has operational experience in Timor Leste on Operation WARDEN, in Afghanistan on Operation SLIPPER and Counter Terrorism/Special Recovery experience with Special Operations Command.
In the 2017 Queens Birthday Honours, Brigadier Limmer was awarded a Conspicuous Service Medal for the provision and modernisation of joint communications and electronic warfare training during tenure as Commanding Officer of the Defence Force School of Signals. He has been awarded a Silver Commendation for commitments to operational and interagency planning during tenure Chief of Staff Military Strategic Commitments. Brigadier Limmer was also recognised with a Chief of Defence Force Commendation for the provision of operational communications support while a Sub-Unit Commander within the Chief Information Officer Group.
Brigadier Limmer is a graduate of the Singapore Command and Staff College and a distinguished graduate of the Defence Strategic Studies Course. He holds a Graduate Diploma in Information Technology from the Queensland University of Technology. From the University of New South Wales, he holds the qualifications of Master of Science in Information Technology and a Master of Arts in Strategy and Management. From Deakin University he holds a Master of International Relations. He is an alumnus of the Cranlana Executive Leadership program and is keenly interested in geopolitical affairs.
Brigadier Limmer is married to Kylah and they have two daughters. He enjoys camping, ‘enduro’ and adventure motorcycle riding, watching rugby and cricket.
Deputy Head of Corps
Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Armstrong
Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong graduated from the Royal Military College – Duntroon in 2005 and was allocated to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. He has since held a range of technical and generalist joint, regimental, staff and training appointments within combat brigades, the Royal Military College – Duntroon, Land Warfare Centre, Army Headquarters and Joint Capabilities Group.
Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong’s current appointment as the Commanding Officer of the Defence Force School of Signals sees him responsible for the delivery of joint communications training. The Defence Force School of Signals is the largest joint training establishment in the Australian Defence Force, comprised of seven wings, at six locations, in four states; and issues over 3500 qualifications a year. Additionally, this role also provides the opportunity to support and shape the transition to Joint Capabilities Group and execute mandates outlined in the Defence Strategic Review, and National Defence Strategy, through contemporary training. He has the privilege of assuming the role of Deputy Head of Corps, Royal Australian Corps of Signals in a milestone year that celebrates the Corps’ centenary in 2025.
More generally, Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong has complemented his command and training experiences with joint and service level staff appointments within Joint Capability Group and Army Headquarters. He has fulfilled roles as the Director of the Defence Cryptographic Controlling Authority, the Information Technology and Security Manager for Army, and Deputy Director of the Business Information Technology and Development Directorate at Army Headquarters.
Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong has commanded two operational force elements in his career, firstly with the ADF Battlegroup in Iraq in 2007, and more recently in 2016 with Theatre Communications Group. His operational deployments have allowed him to build relationships with international coalition partners and exposed him to theatre-level planning, national, and strategic communication network management.
He is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College, holding a Master of Business (UNSW) and a Master of Military and Defence Studies (ANU). He continues to pursue professional learning and continue his formal study towards a Master of Systems Engineering (UNSW).
Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong is the proud father of his daughter (Piper) and three sons (Hudson, Leo and Miles). He is a keen triathlete, an avid rugby union supporter and devout motorsport enthusiast.
Corps Regimental Sergeant Major
Warrant Officer Class One Benn Goulter
Warrant Officer Class One Benn James Goulter was born on 28 August 1975 in Casino, New South Wales. Following education at primary and high schools in the Casino area, he enlisted into the Army on 12 July 1994. WO1 Goulter was allocated to the Royal Australian Corps of Survey. Following completion of his Initial Employment Training as an Illustrator Reprographic, he was posted to Joint Exercise Planning Staff in 1995 and Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre. During his time at these units, WO1 Goulter served in both his trade role and as a computer network technician.
Since corps transferring to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals as an Operator Command Support Systems, now ECN 661 – Information Systems Technician in 2003, WO1 Goulter has had in-trade postings to 1st Joint Support Unit, 3rd Combat Signal Regiment, Defence Force School of Signals, and 7th Combat Signal Regiment.
In 2015, WO1 Goulter was appointed as the Squadron Sergeant Major of 139th Signal Squadron and, in 2017, posted to Warrant Officer and Non-Commissioned Officer Academy where he performed the roles of instructor in the Warrant Officer Training Team, Academy Operations Warrant Officer and Course Sergeant Major of the Sergeant Training Team.
WO1 Goulter was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One and commenced his first appointment as a Regimental Sergeant Major at 1st Signal Regiment in October 2019. He assumed the appointment as Regimental Sergeant Major of Defence Force School of Signals in 2023 and, by virtue of this position, the role of Corps Regimental Sergeant Major of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals.
WO1 Goulter deployed on the initial rotation of Operation ANODE in 2003 and on Operation SPIRE in 2004. In 2006, WO1 Goulter was selected as a member of Australian Army Training Team – Iraq rotation Six, and also deployed on three separate rotations to Tarin Kowt; with Reconstruction Task Force Three, and Force Communications Unit rotations Two and Seven. In 2016, WO1 Goulter deployed to Al Minhad Air Base as the Squadron Sergeant Major of Expeditionary Communications Squadron Two; one of many career highlights.
In addition to the medallic recognition appropriate to his operational deployments and length of service, WO1 Goulter was awarded the Soldiers Medallion for Exemplary Service whilst posted to Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre.
WO1 Goulter and his wife, Robyn, have three adult children and two grandchildren. He is a long-suffering supporter of the Wests Tigers Rugby League Football Club and dreams of starting an ever-increasing number of ‘shed projects’ at his house, in the Brisbane suburb of Keperra (completion of which are optional).
Honorary Appointments
Representative Colonel Commandant
Brigadier Alison Creagh, AM CSC
Brigadier Alison Creagh, AM CSC is a board director and strategic adviser with expertise across the veteran community, defence industry, cyber security and sports governance. She is President of the Certa Cito Foundation and chairs the Veteran Community Business Chamber and SME Gateway. She is a Trustee for the Commando Welfare Trust and a Non-Executive Director for GME, the Veterans Film Festival and The Hospital Research Foundation. Alison is Vice President of Paralympics Australia and on the board of Rowing Australia.
Brigadier Creagh has held roles as Strategic Defence Adviser for the Queensland Government, Defence Ambassador for the Australian Capital Territory and chair of the ACT’s Ministerial Advisory Council for Veterans and their Families. She was a Council Member on the Australian War Memorial Council, Strategic Adviser for UNSW’s Defence Research Institute, a member of AustCyber’s Canberra Node Industry Advisory Group and President of Rowing ACT.
She retired from the Australian Regular Army in March 2015 after a 30-year career and continues to serve in the Army Reserve. Brigadier Creagh attended the Officer Cadet School Portsea and graduated to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals in 1985. During her career in the Australian Regular Army, she held numerous appointments in roles that included operations, capability development, acquisition, personnel management, public affairs and strategic communication. She commanded the independent 145th Signal Squadron and the Defence Force School of Signals where she also held the appointment of Deputy Head of Corps. As Director-General Australian Defence Force Theatre Project she worked with the Sydney Theatre Company to present the play The Long Way Home which provided a recovery opportunity for wounded and injured soldiers from the Australian Defence Force.
Brigadier Creagh’s operational experience includes service in Cambodia in support of the United Nations, as part of the International Assistance Force in East Timor, Iraq and in Afghanistan with Headquarters International Security Assistance Force (HQ ISAF). She also supported the Sydney 2000 Olympics and a number of disaster relief and border protection operations in Australia.
Brigadier Creagh was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 1994 for her work as the Quartermaster of the Force Communications Unit in Cambodia, was awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal in 2009 for her work as the Chief of Personnel, HQ ISAF, and a Chief of the Defence Force Commendation in 2014 for her work as Director-General Australian Defence Force Theatre Project.
Brigadier Creagh holds a Master in Management Studies (Project Management), a Master in Defence Studies, both from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), and a Graduate Diploma of Communications and Information Systems. She attended the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies in 2009 where she was awarded a Graduate Diploma of Strategic Studies. She was awarded a CEW/WLIA scholarship in 2014 to attend the Harvard Business School’s Women in Leadership Forum.
Brigadier Creagh continues to be engaged with the Royal Australian Corps of Signals and veteran communities. She is a keen rower and rowing coach and maintains involvement with the ADF Rowing community.
Colonel Commandant VIC/TAS
Colonel Commandant ACT / NSW
Colonel Christopher Rule
Colonel Rule graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in June 1991 and was appointed to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. He has served in a variety of appointments in Army as Troop Commander in 133 Signal Squadron, Operations Officer 101 Signal Squadron, 1st Signal Regiment, J6 staff Deployable Joint Force Head Quarters and Officer Commanding Advanced Training Wing, Defence Force School of Signals. He commanded the Defence Force School of Signals over 2010 and 2011 and thereafter the Defence Command Support Training Centre from 2012 to 2014.
He retired from the Regular Army in 2016 following appointments in International Policy and serving as the Australian Defence Attaché to Iraq in 2015. He currently consults in IT strategy, design and security with Cisco Systems.
He has operational experience with the 1st Signal Regiment deploying to East Timor with INTERFET in 1999/2000 and more recently in the Middle East as the J6 Joint Task Force 633 and as such served as the Chief Communications Officer, Australian Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan (2007/08). In these roles he successfully, designed, deployed and maintained communications networks and information systems and services to meet joint operational command, intelligence and business needs from strategic to tactical settings.
As a major capital acquisition project manager, Colonel Rule has served as an information communications technology Project Officer with the Land Engineering Agency (1997/98), Project Director – The Battlespace Communications System, in the Defence Materiel Organisation (2002/03), and in 2008/2009 as the Deputy Director Long Range Communications, Capability Development Group, where he led development of Defence’s future military satellite communications capability.
He was promoted Colonel in October 2011 and appointed Commandant of the Defence Command Support Training Centre. Managing a large multidisciplinary organisation he took responsibility for resourcing, enabling, designing and delivering ADF Intelligence, Language, Signals, Music and Service Police training. As Employment Category Sponsor for these disciplines he led workforce evaluation and design in support of Army force modernisation and pay-case preparation for the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal.
Colonel Rule is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College, the Australian National University, the University of New South Wales and the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, UK. He is a Technical Staff Officer, a Fellow of Engineers Australia a Chartered Professional Engineer and Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Colonel Rule has been awarded a Chief CDG Commendation for his efforts delivering a military satellite communications capability through a major commercial contract and Memorandum of Agreement with the United States Government.
Colonel Rule is married to Fiona and they have four adult children. His leisure interests include mountain biking, cycling, military history, reading, following rugby and Australian Rules Football and promoting the engineering profession in non-executive leadership roles with Engineers Australia.
Colonel Kirk Johnstone
Fortunate to have experienced a rural upbringing against the backdrop of the Yarra Valley and North East Victoria, Colonel Johnstone graduated from the Royal Military College – Duntroon in 1995 to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs). His formative years as an officer were influenced by his exposure to large scale mechanized and airmobile training exercises while commanding and working alongside soldiers in Northern Australia.
Post staff college, Colonel Johnstone has worked at the tactical, operational and strategic levels in a variety of command and staff appointments across
Army and the Army Joint Staff. Prior to his current appointment as the Deputy Chief of Staff Army Headquarters, Colonel Johnstone served as the Chief of Staff within the First Principles Review Implementation Office, and led the staff effort to review existing Defence Headquarters. The outcomes resulted in the establishment of the Australian Defence Force Headquarters, the disbandment of the Vice Chief of Defence Force Group and raising of the Joint Capabilities Group.
Prior to promoting to Colonel, as Chief of Staff Royal Military College of Australia, he briefly oversaw operations which support Army’s Soldier and Officer Training continuums. Over the period 2012 – 2014, Colonel Johnstone enjoyed the challenge of leading, managing and training sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen as the Commanding Officer of the Defence Force School of Signals. Enhancing his understanding of Navy and Air Force workforce management, this role also provided him a rare insight into the training, management and employment of personnel in the Signals Intelligence community. The highlights of his command and role as Deputy Head of Corps, include improving the skills and knowledge of several thousand ADF personnel, revitalizing key elements of RA Sigs esprit de corps (that had lapsed), and driving innovation into the learning environment.
As Staff Officer Grade One Operational Preparedness (J55) at Headquarters Joint Operations Command, Colonel Johnstone developed a deep understanding of the nuances of both operational and strategic level preparedness.
Operationally, Colonel Johnstone has served as a Regimental Signals Officer in East Timor (1999 – 2000), a watch keeper in Qatar, Kuwait and Iraq (2003) and a staff officer in the Future Operations (CJ35) Branch of Headquarters Resolute Support in Afghanistan (2015). A graduate of the United Kingdom’s Joint Services Command and Staff College, Colonel Johnstone holds an undergraduate degree in Human Resource Development (University of New England), a Masters in Information Technology (Queensland University of Technology) and a Masters of Arts (Kings College London). He was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal from the United States for his service as a staff officer in the CJ35 Branch of Headquarters Resolute Support, and was awarded the ‘Course Ambassador’ at the Higher Defence Orientation Course in India in June 2019.
Colonel Johnstone is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Engaged in the community, he sits on the committee of an incorporation and is the Chair of an Advisory Council of a Catholic Secondary College. Colonel Johnstone enjoys website design, snow skiing, camping and mountain biking with his wife Marnie (Social Worker) and children Georgia (15) and Finlay (13).
Colonel Commandant Nth QLD / NT
Colonel Commandant Sth QLD
Colonel Dan Bennett, CSC
Colonel Dan Bennett was born and raised in Sydney. He graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in December 1993 to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. He transferred to Service Category 3 in March 2023.
Colonel Bennett has served in a broad range of command and staff appointments across Army, Joint and Whole of Government environments. He completed his Sub-Unit Command at the Defence Force School of Signals and was the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Combat Signal Regiment between 2011 and 2013. Colonel Bennett has also been posted to the Directorate of Officer Career Management-Army as Career Advisor Signals, as the SO1 Communications, Information Systems and Electronic Warfare at Army Headquarters and was an instructor at the Australian Command and Staff College.
In his current rank, Colonel Bennett has been the Director Personnel at Headquarters Joint Operations Command and Director of Preparedness, Plans and Training in Army Headquarters. In 2019 Colonel Bennett was accredited as Australia’s Defence Attaché to Kabul. He returned to Australia as the Director of the United States Indo-Pacific Policy in International Policy Division, but was seconded into the Afghanistan Inquiry Response Taskforce in July 2020. He served in the Task Force until January 2023.
Operationally, Colonel Bennett has deployed on humanitarian assistance Operation SIERRA (Ples Drai) in 1997 and to East Timor with the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment in 1999 (Operation WARDEN). In 2006 he deployed as part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) as an Observer on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights and as the Deputy Chief Plans at Headquarters UNTSO. He deployed on Operation SLIPPER twice, as the Chief of Staff HQ JTF 633-Afghanistan in 2010 and then commanded Force Communications Unit 5 (FCU-5) in 2011. He was the Chief of Staff of HQ JTF633 (Operation ACCORDION) in the Middle East from July 2014. Colonel Bennett deployed as a Senior Military Liaison Officer and Commander Australian Contingent with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan as part of Operation ASLAN (2016-2017).
Colonel Bennett holds post-graduate qualifications in Information Systems, and a Masters of Arts (Strategy and Policy) from the University of New South Wales. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Australian Command and Staff College.
Colonel Bennett was awarded a commendation from the UNTSO Head of Mission for his work as Deputy Chief Plans during the Summer War in Lebanon in 2006 and a Chief of Joint Operations Gold Commendation for command of the tri-service FCU-5. For his service in South Sudan Colonel Bennett received an UNMISS Force Commander’s Commendation and was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2019 Australia Day Awards. In December 2022 he was awarded a Chief of Defence Force Gold Commendation for his work in the Afghanistan Inquiry Response Taskforce.
Colonel Bennett is married to Lisa and has two adult children, Madeline and Nicolas. His hobbies include teaching scuba diving, playing the guitar poorly and reading.
Colonel James Roche
Colonel Roche graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in December 1990 and was appointed to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. During his career in the Australian Regular Army, he held numerous appointments in roles that included operations, strategic assessment, concept development and training. His command appointments included 104th Signal Squadron, 17th Signal Regiment and the Defence Command Support Training Centre. His senior appointments included an appointment as G6 at Forces Command from 2011-2014.
Colonel Roche’s operational experience includes service in Western Sahara in 1993 in support of the United Nations, in Bougainville in 1998 as part of the regional based peace keeping mission and East Timor during 2000 with the Australian National Command Element.
He retired from the Regular Army in 2017 and transferred to the Army Reserve. In his civilian capacity he supported the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and is currently employed as a contracted cybersecurity specialist for Cisco Systems Australia.
Colonel Roche is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College, the University of New South Wales and the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He maintains a Certified Information System Security Professional qualification through the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2). Colonel Roche has two teenage sons. His interests include music, military history, Australian Rules Football and playing social beach volleyball.
Colonel Commandant SA
Colonel Commandant WA
Colonel Martin Faulkner
Colonel Martin Faulkner was born in 1961 in Adelaide, South Australia. After completing a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Adelaide he worked briefly in the Australian Public Service before entering the Officer Cadet School, Portsea in 1985. He graduated from the inaugural 18 month officer training course at the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1986. His first posting in the Royal Australia Corps of Signals was to 2nd Signal Regiment at Simpson Barracks, Melbourne where he commanded a range of communications troops.
Colonel Faulkner undertook the majority of his regimental appointments in Land Command including 2nd Signal Regiment and what is now 1st Combat Signal Regiment as Officer Commanding 104 Signal Squadron. In addition, Colonel Faulkner spent two years at 126 Signal Squadron, 1st Commando Regiment. Key appointments during this period included Staff Officer Grade Three Operations at Headquarters 6th Brigade, Aide de Camp to Land Commander Australia and staff officer positions in Operations Branch, Land Headquarters and at Headquarters Northern Command. During this period, Colonel Faulkner completed a Master of Business Administration at Deakin University and a Master of Military Arts and Science while attending the US Army Command and General Staff College.
Subsequent to a posting as Staff Officer Grade One Command Support Systems, Australian Defence Headquarters, Colonel Faulkner was selected to be the inaugural commanding officer of 3rd Command Support Regiment (now 3rd Combat Signal Regiment) in 2003.
Following unit command, Colonel Faulkner was posted as the Staff Officer Grade One Land, Directorate of Military Strategy, Australian Defence Headquarters. After an operational deployment to Afghanistan, he was posted on promotion as the Commander Strategic Communications Network, Defence Network Support Agency in December 2006. Colonel Faulkner served as Director Network Centric Warfare – Army in December 2007.
Colonel Faulkner had operational experience in Southern Lebanon, The Sinai and Gaza as a military observer with the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation in 1994/95. Later, Colonel Faulkner was the initial J6, United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor Peacekeeping Force Headquarters in 1999/2000, for which he received a Commander Australian Theatre Commendation. More recently Colonel Faulkner completed 14 months as a Military Adviser with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, in September 2006.
Colonel Mike Brennan
Colonel Mike Brennan was born in Three Springs, Western Australia. He enlisted as an Army Apprentice, at the age of 15. After completing a four year apprenticeship as an electronics technician he was posted to 126 Signal Squadron (Special Forces). He was selected for officer training in 1978 and graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea in June 1979 as a second lieutenant.
Colonel Brennan’s regimental appointments include troop commander, 1 Signal Regiment (1979-80); troop commander, 152 Signal Squadron, the Special Air Service Regiment (1982-84); operations officer and later a squadron commander, 1 Signal Regiment (1988-89) and the Commanding Officer 8 Signal Regiment (1997-98).
In 1990 he was selected to attend the Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, UK where he trained as a technical staff officer. During this posting he was awarded membership of the City and Guilds of London Institute (MCGI) for a project on the Military Application of Airships. Colonel Brennan’s technical staff appointments include Materiel Division – Army (1991-92); Logistic Command – Army (1994-95) and the SO1 Command, Control, Communications and Information Systems, Force Development (Land), Australian Defence Headquarters (1996).
In 1999, following his appointment as the Commanding Officer, 8 Signal Regiment he was posted as the SO1 Communications and Information Systems Development (J68), Headquarters Australian Theatre. During late 1999 he deployed to US Pacific Command, Hawaii as a liaison officer to assist with the planning for Operation Stabilise, East Timor. He was also involved in a number of planning activities in East Timor including the establishment of commercial communications for INTERFET and the development of the communications capability of the newly established East Timor Defence Force, under the Defence Cooperation Program. During July – December 2000 he was deployed to Bougainville on Operation Bel Isi as the Commanding Officer, Monitoring Team – Wakunai, Peace Monitoring Group.
Colonel Brennan completed a Grad Dip Eng (Telecommunications Systems Management) at the Swinburne Institute of Technology. He is a graduate of the UK Command and Staff Course, Division II, Shrivenham and a graduate of the Australian Army Command and Staff College, Queenscliff.
He was posted as the Australian Army Liaison Officer to US Army Communications Electronics Command, Fort Monmouth, New Jersey over 2002-2003. He was promoted to Colonel in January 2004 and his final appointment in the Australian Regular Army was as the Director Combat and Operational Support Systems, Defence Materiel Organisation (2004-2005). He transitioned to the Army Reserve in January 2006 and he continued to work on a range of Defence projects, in Canberra, as an Army Reserve officer, until 2017, completing a total of 45 years of Army service.
Colonel Brennan was married to Irene (deceased) for 40 years and he has three adult children. He enjoys travel and reading military history. He is a past Deputy Chairman of the Army Museum of Western Australia and the immediate past President of the Royal United Services Institute of Western Australia. He is currently writing a history of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals in East Timor 1999-2012.