Justin
HuggettMG
Decorated Australian Army veteran. Fearless advocate for those who served. Host of The Grumpy Grunt podcast. Soldier. Shearer. Dad. Husband. Regular bloke.
A Soldier, a Shearer,
a Regular Bloke
Justin Huggett is not the kind of man who asks for the spotlight. He is the kind of man who steps into the line of fire when others cannot. A former Corporal with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Justin served 14 years in uniform across some of the most dangerous theatres on earth.
But strip away the medals and the military record, and you will find something far more remarkable: a bloke from the bush who sheared sheep before he picked up a rifle, who came home from war and chose to fight a different battle entirely, one for the mates he left behind and the ones still struggling in silence.
Today, Justin is a dad, a husband, a veteran advocate, and the unapologetically honest voice behind The Grumpy Grunt podcast. He does not sugarcoat. He does not play politics. He tells it like it is, because the men and women who served this country deserve nothing less.
"There are amazing people out there, that do amazing things. I wanna talk to them and get their story out for people to hear."
— Justin Huggett MG
Forged in the
Fires of Service
From the jungles of East Timor to the mountains of Afghanistan, Justin Huggett served wherever his country called. 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Digger to Platoon Sergeant. Charlie Company. Delta Company. Mortars. Alpha Company MFC.
East Timor
First deployment as a young digger with 2RAR. Served during the peacekeeping operations following East Timor's independence, gaining his first taste of operational service in a volatile environment.
Solomon Islands
Deployed as part of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), helping restore law and order in the Pacific island nation during a period of ethnic tensions and civil unrest.
Afghanistan — Grenadier Guards
Seconded to Britain's 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards Battle Group through Exercise Long Look. It was here, in the most dangerous province in the world, that Justin led the counter-attack that would earn him the Medal for Gallantry.
MTF 3 & Senior Leadership
Rose through the ranks to Platoon Sergeant, serving in Delta Company, Mortars, and as Alpha Company MFC. Became one of the most respected junior commanders in the battalion before his discharge in 2013.
Courage Under Fire
Official Citation
Queen's Birthday Honours 2009
"Corporal Huggett displayed the highest standards of gallantry and personal courage on operations in Afghanistan in 2007."
"While under direct fire from Taliban forces, he led and inspired Afghan National Army soldiers, and was outstanding in coordinating fire support for his host unit, the 1st Battalion, The Grenadier Guards."
"He has proved to be one of the most battle-hardened and respected junior commanders that the Grenadiers had in Afghanistan."
"Corporal Huggett has brought great credit to himself, the Australian Army and the Australian Defence Force."
Corporal Justin Wayne Huggett
2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
The Ambush
In 2007, a small patrol of newly trained Afghan National Army soldiers walked straight into a Taliban ambush. Pinned down under heavy fire, the situation was dire. Attached to the British Grenadier Guards on secondment, Australian Corporal Justin Huggett did not hesitate.
The Counter-Attack
Justin took charge, leading a counter-attack that cleared the building the insurgents were firing from. He helped get wounded Afghan soldiers under cover and treated them while still under fire, firing mortar bombs into enemy positions dangerously close to his own. British commanders said his actions boosted the confidence and morale of every soldier on the ground.
The Hassett Award for Leadership
Justin was also awarded the prestigious Hassett Award, named in memory of distinguished former Defence Chief Sir Frank Hassett, recognising his exceptional leadership during the same actions in Afghanistan. The Medal for Gallantry ranks behind only the Victoria Cross and Star of Gallantry in Australia's military honours.
A Voice for Those
Who Cannot Speak
After 14 years of service, Justin did not walk away quietly. He became one of Australia's most outspoken veteran advocates, challenging the system that failed the men and women who served.
Royal Commission Testimony
Justin gave powerful evidence before the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide in Darwin, October 2022. He spoke about the systemic failures in treating injured soldiers, the culture of hiding injuries to stay in the fight, and the devastating long-term consequences of inadequate medical care.
"Simply put, rugby league players and AFL players are treated better than what our own soldiers are, and that's disgraceful."
Veteran Mental Health Advocate
Justin is a passionate advocate for veteran mental health and wellbeing. He has worked with veteran support organisations and consistently uses his platform to raise awareness about the struggles facing former service members, from PTSD and chronic pain to the systemic failures that leave veterans without adequate care.
Defending Unit Heritage
When the incoming Defence Chief banned 'death symbols' from the military, Justin wrote a viral open letter that resonated with thousands of veterans. He defended his mortar platoon's Grim Reaper emblem and the proud traditions that bind soldiers together, appearing on Sky News and in national media.
"The 1000s of soldiers that served in that Platoon will hand over their Reaper Shirts the day the Devil snowboards down the slopes of hell."
Calling for Cultural Change
Justin does not hold back when it comes to the failures of military leadership. He has openly stated he would discourage his own family from joining the ADF, and believes it will take a generation to fix the cultural rot that has left veterans abandoned and forgotten.
"There is no 'pause' when there is an incident. You have an incident, you suck it up and you get on with your job."
1,677+
Serving and former serving members died by suicide between 1997 and 2021. More than 20 times the number killed in active duty during the same period. The Royal Commission estimated the true number of preventable deaths to be over 3,000.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare / Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
The Grumpy
Grunt
An unfiltered, uncensored podcast by a grumpy grunt that gives zero f$&ks. Real conversations with real people about the things that actually matter.
From veteran issues to child protection, from opioid recovery to the laws shaping our country, Justin sits down with the people doing the hard yards and gets their stories out for the world to hear. No scripts. No sponsors telling him what to say. Just raw, honest conversation from Huggo's Lodge.
Listen Now on SpotifyLatest Episodes
The New Anti-Semitism Laws
Phillip Thompson OAM MP
A deep dive into the new anti-semitism laws and what they mean for Australians. No holds barred, no filter.
Protecting Our Kids
Det. Senior Sgt David Miles
The head of Townsville's Child Protection Unit, leading a 47-person team, talks about the realities of protecting children in our communities.
CBD Oil v Opioid Medication
Solo Episode
Justin gets raw and honest about his near-addiction to opioid painkillers and how CBD oil helped him break free and stay clean.
Want to Be on
The Show?
Got an interesting story, a cause worth talking about, or a media inquiry? Justin is always looking for real people with real stories.
Email Directly
For quick messages
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Looking for Guests
Justin wants to talk to interesting people with interesting lives, jobs, and backgrounds. If you have a story worth telling, he wants to hear it.
- ▸Veterans and serving members
- ▸First responders and frontline workers
- ▸Community leaders and advocates
- ▸Anyone with a story that needs to be heard
Media &
Appearances
Justin's story has been covered by Australia's leading media outlets. From the Royal Commission to national television, his voice carries weight.
Royal Commission into Defence Suicide hears from veteran Justin Huggett
October 2022
Justin's powerful testimony before the Royal Commission in Darwin, detailing the failures of the military medical system and the devastating impact on veterans.
Why Decorated Afghanistan Veteran Won't Let His Family Near the Military
September 2024
An in-depth feature on why one of Australia's most decorated soldiers would discourage his own family from joining the ADF.
War Veteran Slams Army's Call to Ban Death Symbols
April 2018
Justin's viral open letter to the incoming Army Chief defending unit heritage and the Grim Reaper symbol of his mortar platoon.
Ep. 112: Justin Huggett MG, Former 2nd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment
May 2023
A long-form interview covering Justin's entire military career, from East Timor to Afghanistan, and his transition to civilian life.
Veteran Speaks Out on Death Symbol Ban
2018
Television appearance discussing the controversy around banning military unit insignia and what it means for serving and former soldiers.
Aussie Soldier Awarded Gallantry Medal
June 2009
Coverage of Justin's Medal for Gallantry award in the Queen's Birthday Honours, recognising his extraordinary actions in Afghanistan.