Full Name
MAJGEN Greg Novak
Position
Commander, Defence Space Command
Organisation
Department of Defence
Speaker Bio
Major General Novak graduated from the Royal Military College Duntroon in 1995 to the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. Early in his career he filled a range of regimental and staff appointments with highlights including Squadron Commander and Operations Officer at the 3rd Combat Signal Regiment, Staff Officer Grade 1 for battlefield digitisation at Army Headquarters, and Commanding Officer of the 1st Combat Signal Regiment.
Post his Regimental command, Major General Novak spent two years seconded to the Office of National Intelligence as a strategic analyst. In this role, he prepared reports covering a range of issues relevant to Australia’s strategic security interests for the Prime Minister, other Government Ministers, and senior Departmental officials. After this secondment, Major General Novak returned to Army Headquarters as Military Assistant to the Chief of Army.
Major General Novak was promoted to Colonel in December 2016 and posted to the United States as the Australian Liaison Officer to United States Strategic Command. Representing Australia’s Defence interests with United States Strategic Command, Major General Novak gained unique insights on strategic deterrence, space as an operational domain, and integrated global operations. He was awarded a United States Legion of Merit for his contributions to these important components of the Australia – United States military to military relationship.
Upon return to Australia in 2019, Major General Novak served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force. This appointment remains a career highlight for Major General Novak as he worked closely with Defence’s most senior leaders and was constantly exposed to the highest level workings of the Department. He was promoted to Brigadier in January 2020 and appointed Commander Defence Strategic Communications in the Chief Information Officer Group, responsible for delivering strategic communications to deployed ADF elements and Defence establishments domestically, regionally and globally.
In December 2021, Major General Novak was appointed Commander of the Australian Army’s 6th Brigade where he led some of Defence’s most capable intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare, cyber, battlespace control, and force-level engineering units. He was promoted to Major General in October 2023 and assumed his current appointment as Commander Defence Space Command in December 2023.
Operationally, Major General Novak has deployed to Bougainville, Afghanistan, the broader Middle East Area of Operations, and twice to East Timor. Through these deployments, he has served regionally and globally in coalition settings, commanded deployed forces at sub- unit and unit level, and experienced contingency operations as well as scheduled force rotations.
Major General Novak holds a Masters of Science in Information Technology and a Masters of Arts in Strategy and Policy. He held the appointment of Head of Corps for Army’s Royal Australian Corps of Signals from January 2020 to December 2023 and was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 Australia Day Honours for exceptional service in ADF command and liaison appointments.
Post his Regimental command, Major General Novak spent two years seconded to the Office of National Intelligence as a strategic analyst. In this role, he prepared reports covering a range of issues relevant to Australia’s strategic security interests for the Prime Minister, other Government Ministers, and senior Departmental officials. After this secondment, Major General Novak returned to Army Headquarters as Military Assistant to the Chief of Army.
Major General Novak was promoted to Colonel in December 2016 and posted to the United States as the Australian Liaison Officer to United States Strategic Command. Representing Australia’s Defence interests with United States Strategic Command, Major General Novak gained unique insights on strategic deterrence, space as an operational domain, and integrated global operations. He was awarded a United States Legion of Merit for his contributions to these important components of the Australia – United States military to military relationship.
Upon return to Australia in 2019, Major General Novak served as Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force. This appointment remains a career highlight for Major General Novak as he worked closely with Defence’s most senior leaders and was constantly exposed to the highest level workings of the Department. He was promoted to Brigadier in January 2020 and appointed Commander Defence Strategic Communications in the Chief Information Officer Group, responsible for delivering strategic communications to deployed ADF elements and Defence establishments domestically, regionally and globally.
In December 2021, Major General Novak was appointed Commander of the Australian Army’s 6th Brigade where he led some of Defence’s most capable intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare, cyber, battlespace control, and force-level engineering units. He was promoted to Major General in October 2023 and assumed his current appointment as Commander Defence Space Command in December 2023.
Operationally, Major General Novak has deployed to Bougainville, Afghanistan, the broader Middle East Area of Operations, and twice to East Timor. Through these deployments, he has served regionally and globally in coalition settings, commanded deployed forces at sub- unit and unit level, and experienced contingency operations as well as scheduled force rotations.
Major General Novak holds a Masters of Science in Information Technology and a Masters of Arts in Strategy and Policy. He held the appointment of Head of Corps for Army’s Royal Australian Corps of Signals from January 2020 to December 2023 and was awarded Member of the Order of Australia in 2023 Australia Day Honours for exceptional service in ADF command and liaison appointments.
Speaking At
