Don Spinks was born, raised and educated in the Upper Hunter Valley, New South Wales. He enlisted in the Australian Army in January 1979.
After completing Basic Recruit Training, Don was assigned to the Royal Australian Armoured Corps.
In 1999, Don was promoted to Warrant Officer Class One.
Then in 2000, Done was selected to attend the United States (US) Army Sergeants Majors Academy at Fort Bliss in Texas, USA. Here, he completed the US Army Sergeants Major and the Command Sergeant Majors courses. Don stayed on as an instructor at the academy the following year.
For his service with the Sergeants Majors Academy, Don was awarded the United States Army Meritorious Service Medal.
Don’s Regimental Sergeant Major appointments included 2nd Cavalry Regiment 2003 to 2004; Multi-National Force and Observers (MFO) - Sinai Egypt 2004; Royal Australian Armoured Corps 2005 to 2007; 1st Brigade 2008 to 2009; Joint Task Force 633 on Operation Slipper in 2010; and Forces Command – Army 2011 to 2014.
In July 2015, Don assumed the appointed of Regimental Sergeant Major of the Australian Army. He completed this role in July 2018 and transitioned from Army to civilian life in September 2018.
