Brigadier Murray Thompson was appointed Commander Defence Strategic Communications (CDSC) in January 2017, within the Chief Information Officer Group (CIOG), Australian Department of Defence. As CDSC he is responsible for the provision of communications services to deployed units of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the wider network of Defence bases and sites across Australia. On commissioning into the Royal Australian Corps of Signals in 1993, his early career saw him undertake a range of regimental appointments including Troop Command at 1 Signal Regiment and 3 (UK) Signal Regiment and Adjutant 8 Signal Regiment. He also served with the Multinational Force & Observers on the Egyptian/Israeli border and as an instructor at the Royal Military College, Duntroon. In 2002 he was promoted to Major and appointed Second in Command of 1 Combat Signal Regiment (1CSR) with 1 Brigade in Darwin. As a Major he served twice at Army Headquarters as a Staff Officer managing international engagement and subsequently communications & electronic warfare. During this period he also took leave from the Army to experience working as a public servant for the Australian Agency for International Development. In this role he was responsible for the project management and delivery of aid in the South Pacific. In 2006, the then Major Thompson was appointed Officer Commanding 229 (Berlin) Signal Squadron, 7 Signal Regiment on exchange with the British Army in Germany. In 2006/07 he deployed the Squadron to Afghanistan in support of UK Task Force operations in Helmand Province. On return to Australia he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and acted as the Army Signals Training Adviser. In December 2008 he was appointed Commanding Officer 1 CSR. His tenure included command of the Regiment in the Middle East, Iraq and Afghanistan while it was deployed as the Force Communications Unit. He returned to Canberra in 2012 to join the Defence strategic level staff; Military Strategic Commitments (MSC) as the Deputy Director Afghanistan/Pakistan in January 2012. He was subsequently promoted to Colonel in November 2012 as Director Future Military Commitments. For his service in MSC he was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in the 2015 Australia Day Honours. In 2015 he was appointed Director Force Development – Army in Army Headquarters. BRIG Thompson is a graduate of the Australian Defence Force Academy, Royal Military College and Australian Command & Staff College. He is also a Fellow of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies. He holds Bachelor and Masters degrees in Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Communications & Information Systems and a Masters of Management. BRIG Thompson is married to Catriona, who is a General Practitioner. They have three children; William, Angus and Lucinda.