Training & Doctrine Podcast

Our new online learning portal, The Cove, was released on 9 December. Major Mick Cook spoke with the project lead, Lieutenant Colonel Tom McDermott, on how The Cove will provide professional military education opportunities for the men and women of the Australian Army.

Private Heather Anderson comes from a family with a strong history of military service. She is also one of the Australian Army's elite athletes. Major Mick Cook chats with her about being a combat medic and a top tier AFL Women's league draft pick.

There are similarities between sport and military life, such as teamwork, respect, physical training and competition. The Army has recently had three of its members drafted into the inaugural AFL Women's League. Major Mick Cook spoke with Private Kate Lutkins about her selection and future in the Army as an elite athlete.

Can you balance military service with an active sporting life? What happens if you are selected to play in the AFL and you are a serving Army member? Major Mick Cook met with Lieutenant Clare Lawton, a draftee for the inaugural AFL Women's League in 2017, to discuss these questions and more.

What is it like to train for four years to become an Australian Army Officer? What is the difference between life at the Australian Defence Force Academy and life at the Royal Military College - Duntroon? What hope do these officer trainees at the college have for the future? Major Mick Cook sat down with Staff Cadet Luke Hughes to discuss these questions and more.

What makes someone choose to be an officer in the Australian Army? What is life like for trainee officers at the Royal Military College - Duntroon? Major Mick Cook sat down with Staff Cadet Alice Brabazon to discuss these questions and more.

How does the Australian Army assess the decisions made and actions taken during an exercise? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses this question, and others, with Warrant Officer Class 2 Luke Burgess, a tactical analyst from the Combat Training Centre.

How does the Army incorporate the lessons it learns in the field into what is taught in its training institutions? How is are the best practices learnt through experience developed to provide new soldiers and officers with the training they need? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare spoke with the Commanding Officer of the Army School of Logistic Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Ruth Perry, to answer these questions.

How do you build a realistic environment for a modern military exercise? What is required to make the scenarios match reality? Major Derek Hayles explains how his team ensured Exercise Hamel was a reflection of what the modern soldier may face in the contemporary operating environment.

What does it take to supply an Army in the field? How are essential service, such as medical support provided to the men and women in combat? Brigadier Paul Nothard explains what his brigade, the 17th Combat Service Support Brigade, contributes to the army during activities such as exercise Hamel.

How do you keep a combat brigade on the move? In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews some of the men and women who support the logistical operations of the combat brigade in the Brigade Maintenance Area. The Brigade Maintenance Area is the first line of supply, maintenance and medical support for the combat brigade.

How does the Australian Army provide a realistic 'enemy' for exercises such as Exercise Hamel? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses this question, and others, with the commander of the 7th Brigade, Brigadier Tony Rawlins.

How does the Australian Army evaluate the training it conducts on major exercises such as Exercise Hamel? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses this question, and others, with the commander of the Combat Training Centre, Colonel Damian Hill.

How does the Australian Army train the modern soldier? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses this question, and others, with the Regimental Sergeant Major of the Australian Army, Warrant Officer Don Spinks, OAM.

How does the Australian Army keep up with the latest technological developments? What are the key drivers for modernisation? How is an innovative idea integrated into the routine training of soldiers? How is a good idea turned into a battlefield ready piece of equipment? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses these concepts and more with the Head of Modernisation and Strategic Planning - Army, Major General Fergus (Gus) McLachlan, AM.

How do the men and women of the Army Reserve integrate into the Regular Army? How do they benefit from their role as citizen soldier? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare chats with Signaller Candice Hickey, Private Chris Hart. and Lieutenant Lachlan Poppins about their time serving in Battle Group Jacka.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews the commander of Headquarters 1st Division and the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters, Major General Paul McLachlan. What is a Deployable Joint Force Headquarters and how does it train to meets its diverse operational tasks? Major General McLachlan provides an insight into the modern Divisional Headquarters.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews two members of the Australian Army Military Police, Lieutenant Megan Pate and Corporal Cassie Radunz. What do Military Police do in the field and what sort of training do they receive? They discuss their role in the field on Exercise Hamel.