The Cove Podcast

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.