HOC Biographies

 Brigadier Ludwig was appointed Commander of 17th Sustainment Brigade in January 2022 and subsequently Head of Corps Royal Australian Corps of Transport in August 2022. Brigadier Ludwig joined the Australian Army in 1996 attending the Australian Defence Force Academy and the Royal Military College, prior to appointing as a Transport Officer. 

She commanded the 9th Force Support Battalion, which included command of Force Support Unit Eight in the Middle East. She has also deployed as an operations officer in Timor Leste. 

BRIG Ludwig has held a wide variety of senior staff appointments both in Army and other departments, including SO1 Personnel Operations within Headquarters Joint Operations Command, the Director Australian Command and Staff Course and Director of Logistics-Army. Most recently she held the position of Chief of Staff to the Vice Chief of Defence Force which provided great insight to parliamentary processes and international engagement. 

Throughout her career as an Australian Army Officer, Brigadier Ludwig has dedicated herself to enhancing logistic support and training future leaders for operational service, and has completed a Masters of Military and Defence Studies, and also a Masters of Business Administration. Brigadier Ludwig has received numerous awards and military commendations, including an Australia Day Honour for Distinguished Service in 2015. 

Brigadier Ludwig is married to Markus and they have a daughter, Tatyana, and a son, Harry. She is an enthusiastic sportswoman who when she has time, enjoys coaching young women in competitive netball leagues.

Lieutenant Colonel Philippa (Pip) Cleary was born in 1978 in Bowral, New South Wales. She grew up on a dairy farm in nearby Burrawang and is the second youngest of seven children.

Following completion of Year 12 at Chevalier College Bowral, LTCOL Cleary joined the Australian Army in January 1997. She has undertaken tertiary study at both undergraduate and graduate levels. She graduated with distinction from the Australian Command and Staff College in 2015 with a Masters in Military Studies.

LTCOL Cleary has served in a broad range of postings that, while they have not been part of a traditional RACT Officer trajectory, have ensured she is comfortable working in single service and joint environments. Her postings have included JMCO Darwin, 3 CSSB, 17 CSS Bde, HQ JOC, 1 RTB, Office of the CDF, HQ RMC-A and, most recently, the Office of the Chief of Army as his speechwriter. 

LTCOL Cleary deployed as a transport troop commander to Basrah, Iraq in 2003 with 3 Close Support Battalion, Royal Logistic Corps, whilst on Exercise Long Look. She also deployed as a United Nations Peace Keeper in Sudan in 2009/10. Her experience in these roles strengthened her understanding and expertise in the provision of logistic and movements support. 

She believes that emotional intelligence, demonstration of strong character and fostering positive and collaborative relationships with all stakeholders is essential to the achievement of the Army School of Transport’s mission. 

LTCOL Cleary is well supported by her husband, ex-serving Army Officer Jamie McRae. They have four young children, Hamish, Fergus, Bridie and Hugh who keep them busy.  As being a Parramatta fan is a recipe for disappointment, Pip and Jamie also enjoy gardening, farming and spending time with friends and family. 

Warrant Officer Class One Robert Gentles was born and educated in Western Sydney, New South Wales, and enlisted into the Army in 1989. Since then, he has spent his Service in the Royal Australian Transport Corps.

On completion of his initial employment training, Warrant Officer Gentles was posted to the 10th Terminal Regiment for a period of three years. Over the coming 17 years, he was posted to HMAS Tobruk, Army Logistic Training Centre North Queensland, HMAS Kanimbla, 1st Recruit Training Battalion and Special Operation Logistic Squadron. During his time in these units, Warrant Officer Gentles served as a cargo specialist, a CPL instructor for trade courses.

In 2007, Warrant Officer Gentles was posted to the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, were he commenced his Regimental career within Royal Australian Corps of Transport. During his time at the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, he was employed as a Platoon Sergeant within Bravo and Delta companies.

Warrant Officer Gentles then completed a posting to HMAS Tobruk as the Ships Sergeant Major, within the Sydney region. During this time, Warrant Officer Gentles participated in a joint amphibious exercise involving American and English forces.

In 2011, Warrant Officer Gentles was subsequently posted to the 1st Recruit Training Battalion and served as the Company Sergeant Major of Echo Company. In 2014, Warrant Officer Gentles was posted to the Special Operations Logistic Squadron, as the Squadron Sergeant Major.

In 2016, Warrant Officer Gentles was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One and appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 10th Force Support Battalion.

In 2018, Warrant Officer Gentles was appointed as the Career Advisor for RACT ECN’s 035, 171 and 218 at the Directorate of Soldier Career Management - Army.

In 2021, Warrant Officer Gentles was appointed as the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army School of Transport as well as the Corps Regimental Sergeant Major.

During his time in the Army, Warrant Officer Gentles has been on operations to Somalia in 1991, Bougainville in 1998 and 1999, Banda Ache in 2005, Border Patrol in 2010 and South Sudan in 2015. He has been awarded the Australian Active Service Medal (Somalia clasp), Australian Service Medal (Bougainville and South Sudan clasps), Operational Service Medal (Border Protection), Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal (Indian Ocean), Defence Long Service Medal, Australian Defence Medal and United Nations medal.

Warrant Officer Gentles is married to Anita and has one son, Robert who is 25, and a daughter Alexandra who is 22. The family enjoys overseas travel, and Warrant Officer Gentles enjoys golf and watching Rugby League.