Australia Appoints Woman to Lead its Army for the First Time

Australia today said a woman would lead its army for the first time in history, as part of a reshuffle of ​the country's defence force leadership.

Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, the current chief of joint capabilities, will become chief of army in July, the government said in a statement. She will replace Lieutenant General Simon Stuart.

Coyle's appointment comes as Australia's military seeks to ​boost the number of female officers in its ranks. 

It ​faces a wave of allegations of systematic sexual harassment and discrimination. - (REUTERS)