| Frank Hickling | |
| Birth Date: | 13 October 1941 |
| Birth Place: | Gosford, New South Wales |
| Allegiance: | Australia |
| Branch: | Australian Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1961–2000 |
| Rank: | Lieutenant General |
| Commands: | Chief of Army (1998–00) Land Command (1996–98) Australian Defence Force Academy (1995–96) Training Command (1992–94) Northern Command (c.1990–92) |
| Battles: | Vietnam War Operation Bel Isi |
| Awards: | Officer of the Order of Australia Conspicuous Service Cross |
Lieutenant General Francis John Hickling, (born 13 October 1941) is a retired senior Australian Army officer, whose career culminated with his appointment as Chief of Army from 1998 to 2000.
Hickling graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea, in 1961.[1] [2] He undertook regimental postings with the Royal Australian Engineers,[3] and saw service in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971.[4] [5]
After serving as the Director of Plans, Army, Hickling was appointed Commander, Northern Command and received the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) for service in that role in 1993.[6] This was followed by a posting as General Officer Commanding Training Command from 1992 to 1994.[1]
Made commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1995,[3] Hickling was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the Army and Australian Defence Force in the field of military training in 1996.[7] On promotion to Major General, Hickling then served as Commandant, Australian Defence Force Academy followed by Land Commander Australia from 1996 until 1998.[1] In February 1998, he led Operation Bel Isi, a peace monitoring mission to Bougainville following a break in civil unrest in the country.[8]
Hickling was promoted lieutenant general and appointed Chief of the Army in 1998.[3] As Chief of the Army he deployed Australian troops to East Timor.[9]
In retirement he chaired the Review of the Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) Scheme which reported in 2008.[3] Hickling also served as Senior Mentor, Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies, and Advisor to BAE Systems. Hickling remains the Representative Colonel Commandant, Royal Australian Engineers.[10]
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