Who’s Who in 2022, Inspiring People: Martin Brooker

With a distinguished military career spanning 37 years, and tours to the Middle East, Afghanistan and the Solomon Islands, Royal Australian Navy Commodore Martin Brooker was asked to be the guest speaker at the 2022 Redcliffe Anzac Day Service.

While sadly he was unable to fulfil his duty due to testing positive to COVID-19, Commodore Brooker was still able to share his story of active duty, and how he transitioned from military life back to civilian life by speaking with Moreton Daily prior to April 25.

About Martin Brooker

Commodore Martin Brooker is a highly awarded veteran, having served 37 years in the Royal Australian Navy.

He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy in 1978 when he was 15-and-a-half years old – and travelled the globe in the name of serving and protecting his country.

His operational service included two tours of the Middle East, two tours of Afghanistan, and a tour of the Pacific.

Highlights of his military career include commanding an amphibious ship that was sent to Afghanistan to support on-the-ground operations and bring back essential equipment, as well as being named Deputy Commander of Australia’s Joint Forces in the Middle East and Afghanistan.

For his service at sea, Commodore Brooker received a Commendation for Distinguished Service in the Queen's Birthday honours.

He received the award for his leadership and performance in warlike operations during his role as Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force 633 on Operation Slipper from November 2012 to May 2013.

Commander Brooker was also deployed to the Solomon Islands for three-and-a-half months.

It was his role in the Pacific that led him to being awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross for his command of the HMAS Manoora and Maritime Task Group.

The Australian Conspicuous Service Cross is awarded for outstanding devotion to duty or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgement or dedication, in non-warlike situations.

It is the first level award of the Conspicuous Service Decorations.

Commodore Brooker retired from active service seven years ago and moved to the Moreton Bay Region in December 2020.

He continues to support the next generation of navy officers and sailors through his role in the Navy Reserve.

Commodore Brooker was invited by the Redcliffe RSL Sub Branch to be the guest speaker at the 2022 Redcliffe Anzac Day Service but was unable to fulfil his duty due to testing positive to COVID-19 prior to the event.

While he was sadly unable to take part in the service, Commodore Brooker told Moreton Daily in the lead-up to Anzac Day that April 25 was about “embracing all veterans and their service, as well as providing a place for their stories to be shared”.

He is a keynote speaker who attends multiple events and functions – drawing on his lived experience of being on active duty, leading his teams in dangerous situations, and the lessons and mistakes he learnt along the way.

He also launched his own podcast in 2022 titled Frontline to Boardroom, which shares leadership lessons from people who have served their country in the military and how those have translated into success in the corporate sector.