Warrant Officer Class One Linney enlisted into the Australian Regular Army on 04 November 1986, he has allocated the Royal Australian Corps of Transport and then the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps.

He has been posted to a variety of units, including 26 Transport Squadron, 1 Recruit Training Battalion, Western Australian University Regiment, 10 Force Support Battalion, 1 Aviation Regiment, 4 Field Regiment, 7 Signal Regiment, Defence Force School of Signals, Army Aviation Training Centre and 6 Engineer Support Regiment.

Chris McDougall is the Commanding Officer of the 5th Aviation Regiment.