Andrew Nikolic
Encyclopedia
Brigadier
Andrew Nikolić AM, CSC
served in the Australian Army
for over 30 years and until July 2011, was employed as a senior public servant in the Department of Defence
. His pre-selection as the Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Bass in Tasmania at the next federal election was announced on 8 July 2011.
Andrew Nikolić enlisted in the Australian Army in January 1979 and after completing recruit training, was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
. Following 18 months service as an infantry soldier, he attended the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, and returned to the Infantry Corps as a second lieutenant
in June 1981. He subsequently served in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Parachute) for almost seven years as a Platoon Commander, Reconnaissance Platoon Commander, Company Commander (Alpha Company), and as the Battalion Operations Officer.
As a Captain, Nikolic taught tactics at the Royal Military College, Duntroon
, and as a Lieutenant Colonel, served as the Commanding Officer / Chief Instructor of the Parachute Training School
. He is a static line and free fall parachute instructor, and in 2000-2001 led the Army ‘Red Berets’ Parachute Display Team. As a Colonel, in 2003 Nikolic became the first Commandant appointed to lead the Army Recruit Training Centre to have also graduated as a soldier. In 2007 he was promoted to Brigadier and appointed as the principal spokesperson for the Department of Defence.
Nikolić's overseas postings include service as:
In addition to his Australian command responsibilities in Southern Iraq, he concurrently served as Chief of Staff of the British-led Multinational Division (South East).
Nikolic received a commendation for bravery from the South Australian Commissioner of Police in 1987. He is a recipient of the Conspicuous Service Cross
(2002 Australia Day Honours List), and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (2010 Australia Day Honours List) for "exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the field of operations and international policy." He is a recipient of the Australian Active Service Medal
, the Iraq Campaign Medal
, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal
, the Australian Service Medal
(with clasps 'South East Asia' and 'Middle East'), the Defence Force Service Medal
(with 3 clasps for 30–34 years' service), the Australian Defence Medal
, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation Medal, the United Kingdom Operation TELIC
Medal for service in Iraq
, and the Returned From Active Service Badge.
Andrew Nikolic is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, Joint Services Staff College, Philippines Joint College, United States Army War College, the United Nations Senior Leaders' Course, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors
. He holds two Bachelors Degrees in Arts and Social Science, and three Masters Degrees in Management, International Relations, and Strategic Studies.
Prior to his preselection as a political candidate for the Liberal Party, Andrew Nikolić was employed in the Department of Defence as First Assistant Secretary, International Policy Division, (a 2 star equivalent position), with responsibility for providing strategic level policy advice to Government on Australia's international defence relations and Australian Defence Force operations.
He married Christine in 1986 and they have two girls and a boy.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Andrew Nikolić AM, CSC
Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)
The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
served in the Australian Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
for over 30 years and until July 2011, was employed as a senior public servant in the Department of Defence
Department of Defence (Australia)
The Australian Department of Defence is a Federal Government Department. It forms part of the Australian Defence Organisation along with the Australian Defence Force . The Defence mission is to defend Australia and its national interests...
. His pre-selection as the Liberal Party candidate for the seat of Bass in Tasmania at the next federal election was announced on 8 July 2011.
Andrew Nikolić enlisted in the Australian Army in January 1979 and after completing recruit training, was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 1 RAR was first formed as the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1945 and since then has been deployed on active service during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War...
. Following 18 months service as an infantry soldier, he attended the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, and returned to the Infantry Corps as a second lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in June 1981. He subsequently served in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (Parachute) for almost seven years as a Platoon Commander, Reconnaissance Platoon Commander, Company Commander (Alpha Company), and as the Battalion Operations Officer.
As a Captain, Nikolic taught tactics at the Royal Military College, Duntroon
Royal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
, and as a Lieutenant Colonel, served as the Commanding Officer / Chief Instructor of the Parachute Training School
Parachute Training School (Australian Army)
The Parachute Training School is an Australian Army training unit in parachuting techniques, developing parachute doctrine and techniques, trial-evaluation of parachute systems and associated equipment, located adjacent to HMAS Albatross, Nowra, New South Wales.-History:Formed in 1951 as...
. He is a static line and free fall parachute instructor, and in 2000-2001 led the Army ‘Red Berets’ Parachute Display Team. As a Colonel, in 2003 Nikolic became the first Commandant appointed to lead the Army Recruit Training Centre to have also graduated as a soldier. In 2007 he was promoted to Brigadier and appointed as the principal spokesperson for the Department of Defence.
Nikolić's overseas postings include service as:
- a United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Military Observer in IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, SyriaSyriaSyria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
and South Lebanon (November 1990 – November 1991); - Chief of Staff and Deputy Commander of the Australian National Headquarters during the first deployment of Operation SlipperOperation SlipperOperation Slipper is the Australian Defence Force contribution to the war in Afghanistan. The operation commenced in late 2001 and is ongoing...
to Afghanistan (October 2001 – March 2002); and - the National Command Representative for Australian Forces in Southern IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
(February – October 2005).
In addition to his Australian command responsibilities in Southern Iraq, he concurrently served as Chief of Staff of the British-led Multinational Division (South East).
Nikolic received a commendation for bravery from the South Australian Commissioner of Police in 1987. He is a recipient of the Conspicuous Service Cross
Conspicuous Service Cross
Conspicuous Service Cross can refer to:* Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross * Conspicuous Service Cross...
(2002 Australia Day Honours List), and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (2010 Australia Day Honours List) for "exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the field of operations and international policy." He is a recipient of the Australian Active Service Medal
Australian Active Service Medal
The Australian Active Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorised 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in warlike operations...
, the Iraq Campaign Medal
Iraq Medal (Australia)
The Iraq Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2004. The Iraq Medal is awarded to Australian Defence Force personnel who served in or around Iraq after 18 March 2003...
, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Afghanistan Medal (Australia)
The Afghanistan Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2004. The Afghanistan Medal is awarded to Australian defence force personnel who served in or around Afghanistan after 11 October 2001...
, the Australian Service Medal
Australian Service Medal
The Australian Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorized 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in peacekeeping and non-warlike operations. It is awarded with a clasp to denote the prescribed operation and subsequent awards of the medal are made in the form of...
(with clasps 'South East Asia' and 'Middle East'), the Defence Force Service Medal
Defence Force Service Medal
The Defence Force Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force...
(with 3 clasps for 30–34 years' service), the Australian Defence Medal
Australian Defence Medal
The Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service...
, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation Medal, the United Kingdom Operation TELIC
Operation Telic
Operation TELIC was the codename under which all British military operations in Iraq were conducted between the start of the Invasion of Iraq on 19 March 2003 and the withdrawal of the last remaining British forces on 22 May 2011...
Medal for service in Iraq
Iraq Medal (United Kingdom)
The Iraq Medal was a campaign medal for issue to Officers and Other Ranks of the British Armed Forces, and others, who served on, or in support of, Operation TELIC - the designation for British operations during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and its aftermath....
, and the Returned From Active Service Badge.
Andrew Nikolic is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College, Joint Services Staff College, Philippines Joint College, United States Army War College, the United Nations Senior Leaders' Course, and the Australian Institute of Company Directors
Australian Institute of Company Directors
The Australian Institute of Company Directors is Australia's leading membership body for directors in Australia and the leading Australian not-for-profit corporate governance organisation....
. He holds two Bachelors Degrees in Arts and Social Science, and three Masters Degrees in Management, International Relations, and Strategic Studies.
Prior to his preselection as a political candidate for the Liberal Party, Andrew Nikolić was employed in the Department of Defence as First Assistant Secretary, International Policy Division, (a 2 star equivalent position), with responsibility for providing strategic level policy advice to Government on Australia's international defence relations and Australian Defence Force operations.
He married Christine in 1986 and they have two girls and a boy.
Honours
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Member of the Order of Australia (AM)For exceptional service to the Australian Defence Force in the field of operations and international policy. -
Conspicuous Service CrossConspicuous Service Cross (Australia)The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
(CSC) -
Australian Active Service MedalAustralian Active Service MedalThe Australian Active Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorised 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in warlike operations... -
_ribbon.png)
Afghanistan Medal (Australia)Afghanistan Medal (Australia)The Afghanistan Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2004. The Afghanistan Medal is awarded to Australian defence force personnel who served in or around Afghanistan after 11 October 2001... -
_ribbon.png)
Iraq Medal (Australia)Iraq Medal (Australia)The Iraq Medal was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II on the advice of the Australian Prime Minister John Howard in 2004. The Iraq Medal is awarded to Australian Defence Force personnel who served in or around Iraq after 18 March 2003... -
Australian Service MedalAustralian Service MedalThe Australian Service Medal is an Australian military decoration. It was authorized 13 September 1988 to recognise prescribed service in peacekeeping and non-warlike operations. It is awarded with a clasp to denote the prescribed operation and subsequent awards of the medal are made in the form of...
(with clasps 'South East Asia' and 'Middle East') -
Defence Force Service MedalDefence Force Service MedalThe Defence Force Service Medal is an Australian Military award given for long service by permanent members of the Australian Defence Force...
(with 3 clasps for 30–34 years' service) -
_ribbon.png)
Australian Defence MedalAustralian Defence MedalThe Australian Defence Medal is an Australian military decoration which recognises current and former Australian Defence Force personnel who completed an initial enlistment period, or four years service... - United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) MedalInternational decorationAn international decoration is a military award which is not bestowed by a particular country, but rather by an international organization such as the United Nations or NATO...
-
Iraq Medal (United Kingdom)Iraq Medal (United Kingdom)The Iraq Medal was a campaign medal for issue to Officers and Other Ranks of the British Armed Forces, and others, who served on, or in support of, Operation TELIC - the designation for British operations during the 2003 Invasion of Iraq and its aftermath....