AC MC(Retd)

General Cosgrove is a graduate from the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

He was the Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 3 July 2002 until his retirement in July 2005.

General Cosgrove was appointed a Companion of the Military Division of the Order of Australia for his role as commander of the international forces in East Timor, ending in 2000.

He was awarded the Military Cross during his service in Vietnam. His other awards include the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) and Commander of the United States Legion of Merit.

General Cosgrove was Australian of the Year in 2001.

In 2006 General Cosgrove was appointed Head of the Operation Recovery Task Force, assisting the people of Far North Queensland recover from the devastating effects following Tropical Cyclone Larry.