After entering the Royal Military College,Duntroon in 1979,he was allotted to Kokoda Company. In his final year at Duntroon in 1982 he was the senior cadet –Battalion Sergeant Major –and graduated as the recipient of the Sword of Honour. Symon was allotted to the Royal Regiment of Australian Artillery (RAA) and over his career saw service with the gunners in many postings,culminating in command of the 1st Field Regiment,Royal Australian Artillery in 1998 to 1999.
Symon served on four operational deployments. His most important joint command was in late 2005 until mid-2006 when appointed Commander Middle East (Joint Task Force 633). This appointment gave him national command responsibility for all Australian soldiers,sailors and airmen/women in Iraq and Afghanistan. His command coincided with Australia's only death in Iraq,that of Private Jake Kovco.
Symon has taught at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK,and has served as Army's Director-General of Personnel,Director-General of Preparedness and Plans and Deputy Chief of Army. He has also served as Director-General Pacific in International Policy Division and Chief of Staff of Army's 1st Division in Brisbane.
Symon left his role as Deputy Chief of Army and joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was subsequently appointed as Director of Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO),where he served from 2011-2014. He oversaw the organisation on foreign military capabilities,intentions,and strategics to information to give to Australian defence policy and operations. Symon officially left the Military in 2015 and became the Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service from 18th December 2017.[7]
Controversies about the ASIS's 2004 bugging operation in East Timor resurfaced during Symon's tenure,the prosecution of lawyer Bernard Collaery and former officer “Witness K”drew criticism for secrecy and legal handling. Under Symon,ASIS was queried about the matter,and later the government dropped the prosecution. Symon defended the agency's need to protect sensitive information while balancing "open justice".[8]
In 2018,it was reported that Symon appeared before an administrative tribunal to argue that 40-year-old classified intelligence documents related to East Timor and the Balibo massacre should not be released yet,which drew public criticism from academics and relatives seeking answers.[9]
On 20 February 2023,Symon was succeeded by Kerri Hartland as Director-General of ASIS. Following,his end at ASIS,he was appointed to several corporate and advisory roles in defence,national security and aerospace sectors.
Personal life
Symon is married to Kate and they have two children. He enjoys running half marathons and sharing the company of his family and friends.
Symon has a strong liking for singer-songwriter Adele,AFL club Carlton,and poetry.[10]
↑It's an Honour – Member of the Order of Australia – 26 January 2000 Citation: "For distinguished service as the Commander Joint Task Force 633 on Operations CATALYST and SLIPPER."
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