Major General T.J. Keating, MNZM

Major General Timothy James Keating was born in Lower Hutt in September 1961. He received his secondary education at Massey High School and attained University Entrance.

Major General Keating enlisted into the New Zealand Army in January 1982 as an Officer Cadet and attended the Officer Cadet Training Company at Waiouru. In December 1982 he graduated into the Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment in the rank of Second Lieutenant. Following graduation Major General Keating underwent young officer training and was promoted to Lieutenant in December 1984.

In January 1985, Major General Keating was posted to the 2nd/1st Battalion as the Second-in-Command of a Rifle Company. In December of the same year he was posted to the Force Maintenance Group as the Staff Officer Grade Three, Co-ordination. In June 1986, Major General Keating was posted to 1 NZSAS Group, where he held various junior officer appointments.

In October 1988, Major General Keating was posted to Headquarters Land Force Command as the Staff Officer Grade Three Personnel. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in December 1988.  In December 1990, he returned to 1 NZSAS Group and has continued to serve with the unit in a variety of appointments, and completed his posting in the appointment as Officer Commanding A Squadron.  Major General Keating completed the Australian Command and Staff Course, Queenscliff, Australia in 1996. In December 1996 he assumed the appointment of Staff Officer Grade Two ABCA, and Works, Development Branch, Army General Staff, Wellington.

In October 1997 Major General Keating was posted on promotion as the Commanding Officer, with the New Zealand Contingent Multinational Force, Sinai. He returned to New Zealand in November 1998 and assumed the appointment as Commanding Officer 1st New Zealand Special Air Service, Hobsonville in January 1999.  In December 2001 Major General Keating assumed the appointment of Commandant Officer Cadet School, Waiouru.

 In June 2003 he commenced study at the United States Army War College, Pennsylvania, graduating in June 2004 with a Master of Strategic Studies. 
In July 2004, on promotion to Colonel, Major General Keating assumed the appointment as Special Projects Officer, Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, Upper Hutt.

In July 2005 Major General Keating was deployed as the Commander of Task Group Crib 6 to Afghanistan.  On his return to New Zealand in January 2005 Major General Keating assumed the appointment as the Assistant Chief of General Staff, Office of Strategy Management.  In December 2007 he was appointed the Commander 2nd Land Force Group, Linton Military Camp.  On 12 June 2009, on promotion to Brigadier, Major General Keating assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Army.  In September 2010 he assumed the appointment as the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Defence Force, Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force, Wellington. 

With effect 15 February 2011, Major General Keating was promoted to his current rank and assumed the role of Chief of Army.

In June 2008 Major General Keating was awarded a Queen’s Birthday Honour to be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, in recognition of his role as the Assistant Chief of General Staff, Office of Strategy Management.
 
Major General Keating is married to Brenda and they have four children (3 are adults).