Michael Slater AO, DSC, CSC is a retired senior officer of the Australian Army, who served from 1978 until his retirement in 2015. Before joining the Army he worked and studied Surveying through Queensland University of Technology.
Following officer training at the Officer Cadet School - Portsea, Mick Slater has commanded at all levels from Platoon to Division. He has served as a Platoon Commander in 8/9 RAR and 1 RAR and later as the Intelligence Officer, a Company Commander and Operations Officer in 2/4 RAR. In 1998 he was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for his service. In 1999–2000 he commanded 2 RAR and in 2006 he was made Brigade Commander of the 3rd Brigade.
His operational commands have included the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, during International Force East Timor (INTERFET) in 1999. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his distinguished command and leadership while in command of 2 RAR. He also commanded the International Stabilisation Forces, based on the 3rd Brigade, in Timor Leste in 2006. He also served on the staff of the United States 3rd Army Headquarters in Kuwait on Operation POLLARD. In 2007 he was made a Member of the order of Australia for exceptional service as the Commander Joint Task Force 630 on Operation LARRY ASSIST and as the Commander Joint Task Force 631 on Operation ASTUTE.
He has undertaken formal education in mobilisation planning in the United States of America, and is a graduate of the Army Command and Staff College Fort Queenscliff, the Joint Services Command and Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College. Mick Slater holds Masters degrees in Strategic Studies and Business Administration.
In January 2011, Mick Slater was appointed to lead the Flood Recovery Taskforce overseeing recovery from the 2010–2011 Queensland floods. This taskforce subsequently transitioned into the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, where he remained until 31 August 2011. For his efforts in heading the taskforce, along with his stints as Head of the Defence Personnel Executive and Commander 1st Division, he was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2012 Australia Day Honours List.
His final appointment in the Army was as a Commander Forces Command in the period 2012-15. Since retiring in April 2015, he has moved to Melbourne where he works for Linfox, another great Australian organisation.
“I believe I have an enduring obligation to the men of 2RAR, particularly those who served in INTERFRET in 1999. This is an obligation I have always taken seriously and I will continue to do so.” – – Mick Slater