Kahlil Fegan, the son of a Vietnam War veteran and a war widow, graduated from Royal Military College Duntroon in 1993 and finished his three-decade military career as commander of the 3rd Combat Brigade in Townsville.
He deployed with 6RAR to East Timor in early 2000, served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and assisted with the clean-up from the devastating Queensland floods in 2011.
In 2005, he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his command of SECDET III in Iraq.
He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his command of the task force in Afghanistan in 2013, and in 2018 he was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his time as director of plans in Iraq.
The Repatriation Commission grants pensions and benefits, and provides treatment and other services to veterans and members of the Australian Defence Force, their partners, widows, widowers and children.
"Kahlil brings a lifetime of lived experience to the role, following decades in senior leadership roles in Defence, including as Commander of the 3rd Combat Brigade in Townsville," Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh said on Friday.
"He has forged strong working relationships and collaboration across government and with the veteran community and has demonstrated strong personal commitment to improving the lives of defence personnel, veterans and families."
The commissioner is a member of both the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide is due to report next year.
Mr Fegan will replace Don Spinks who retired from the role in July.
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