Major General Hugh Meggitt joined the Australian Regular Army in January 1996, graduating from the Royal Military College - Duntroon in 1997 after completing an undergraduate degree and working for a number of years as a scientific officer. He has served in a variety of Army regimental positions including command at troop, squadron and regimental level in Infantry, Combat Engineer and Special Operations units respectively.
Major General Meggitt’s staff appointments have included roles in Land Headquarters, the Royal Military College – Duntroon, Joint Operations Command, Counter Improvised Threats Task Force, Land Capability Division, Vice Chief of Defence Force Group, Strategic and International Policy Division and Special Operations Command.
Major General Meggitt’s operational experience includes the Sydney Olympics (2000), East Timor (2002 and 2009), Afghanistan (2006, 2010 and 2016), Japan Tsunami (2011) and Iraq (2016). Domestically he has commanded multiple domestic Australian Defence Force high risk search, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Counter Improvised Explosive Device missions in conventional and special operations roles supporting Australian state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Major General Meggitt is a graduate of the Australian Command Staff College (2008) and Australian War College (2020). He holds a Bachelors Degree in Science and a Masters Degree in International Relations.
His recent appointments include Director Combat Support Program within Land Capability Division, Director Submarines and Anti Submarine Warfare within Contestability Division, the Military Attaché and Head of the Australian Army Staff in North America and most recently Director General Special Operations Modernisation, responsible for innovation, experimentation and capability development for Australia’s Special Operations Command.
Major General Meggitt’s honours and awards include the Australian Conspicuous Service Cross, United States Legion of Merit, United States Army Commendation and a Joint Task Force Commander’s Commendation. He was appointed a member of the Order of Australia in 2023.