The Cove Podcast
The Cove
The Cove Podcast brings you candid, unfiltered conversations with the leaders, soldiers, and scholars shaping the Australian Army today. Each week, our host CAPT Todd Lempa sits down with uniformed officers and soldiers leading the change in the Australian Army as well as academics and international partners to unpack what modern warfare demands.
From redefining leadership and resilience in the modern Army to exploring lessons from combat operations, command culture, human performance, and the future of land power, The Cove Podcast reveals how the Australian Army thinks, learns, and fights. Whether it’s a Regimental Sergeant Major reflecting on combat, a general discussing Warrior Culture, or a psychologist unpacking mental readiness—each episode delivers a grounded look at the people and ideas driving the Australian Army forward.
Insightful, grounded, and authentic — this is where the Australian Army thinks out loud.
From redefining leadership and resilience in the modern Army to exploring lessons from combat operations, command culture, human performance, and the future of land power, The Cove Podcast reveals how the Australian Army thinks, learns, and fights. Whether it’s a Regimental Sergeant Major reflecting on combat, a general discussing Warrior Culture, or a psychologist unpacking mental readiness—each episode delivers a grounded look at the people and ideas driving the Australian Army forward.
Insightful, grounded, and authentic — this is where the Australian Army thinks out loud.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 22, 2018 • 16min
Experiences On The Ground At WONCO-A: Episode 3 - WO1 Matthew Dickson
In this third podcast we meet Warrant Officer Matthew Dickson who is the Senior Instructor (SI) of the Warrant Officer Training Team; the Team responsible for delivering training to the Subject One for Warrant Officer and Regimental Sergeant Major courses.
Jan 22, 2018 • 9min
Experiences On The Ground At WONCO-A: Episode 2 - CPL Brooke Thomson
In this first podcast we meet the 2017 WONCO-A Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Scott and Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Andrew Stuart, who tell us about the Academy and the courses conducted there.
Nov 22, 2017 • 18min
Experiences On The Ground At WONCO-A: Episode 1- CO And RSM
In this first podcast of a 9 part series we meet the 2017 WONCO-A Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Scott and Regimental Sergeant Major Warrant Officer Andrew Stuart, who tell us about the Academy and the courses conducted there.
Nov 22, 2017 • 19min
Amphibious Series: Episode 3 - Using the Amphibious Capability to contribute to Contemporary Operations with Lieutenant Colonel Doug Pashley
In this episode, Lieutenant Colonel Doug Pashley Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment discusses: How the Australian Army is using its amphibious capability to contribute to contemporary operations; what opportunities does an amphibious capability offer commanders; lessons learned about conducting amphibious operations on Exercise Talisman Sabre and other unit experiences; the importance of junior leadership; the importance of communications architecture and the orchestration of effects.
Nov 22, 2017 • 18min
Amphibious Series: Episode 2 - The Unit at the heart of Army’s Amphibious Capability with Warrant Officer Trent Morris
In this episode, Warrant Officer Class One Trent Morris Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment discusses: How 2 RAR’s structure supports amphibious operations; the development of the pre-landing force; unique challenges with the unit’s composition; the importance of robust Standing Operating Procedures, challenges of working in the Joint space, balancing multiple chains of command and transitioning to direct command under the 1st Divisio
Oct 10, 2017 • 14min
Amphibious Series: Episode 1 - Defining Australian Amphibious Capability with Captain Samuel McKenzie
In this episode, Captain Samuel McKenzie from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment discusses: the definition of amphibious capability; what we need to know about amphibious operation; the littoral environment; how the relationship works between the Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF – Navy) and the Commander Landing Force (CLF – Army) and Australia’s amphibious platforms.
Oct 10, 2017 • 14min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 16 - Colonel Richard Vagg - Final Episode
ADF on operations - In this final episode, Colonel Richard Vagg looks back on what has been achieved as the men and women of Task Group Taji IV complete their mission and prepare to return home.
Oct 10, 2017 • 8min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 15 - Reflections On Taji
ADF on operations - In episode fifteen, members of the Task Group reflect on their deployment experiences as they prepare to return to Australia.
Oct 10, 2017 • 11min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 14 - A Visit To The Anzac Hospital
ADF on operations - In episode fourteen, we visit the Anzac hospital at the Taji Military Complex to meet some of the medical specialists from the full-time Army and the Army Reserve delivering healthcare to the Task Group.
Oct 10, 2017 • 11min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 13 - Major Brian Hickey
ADF on operations - In episode thirteen, we meet Major Brian Hickey, the Officer Commanding Task Group Taji IV’s ‘Advise and Assist’ unit. His team is on a mission to support Northern Baghdad Operations Command to prevent terrorist attacks and secure northern approaches to Baghdad.
