The Cove Podcast

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.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews an Australian Army Chaplain, Captain Louis Clun. Chaplain Clun deployed on exercise Hamel to provide pastoral support to the men and women deployed to Cultana. What is it like to provide this type of support in the field environment? What training is involved for a chaplain to ensure they are able to provide this support when needed? Chaplain Clun explains his role on exercise Hamel.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Bombardier Lachlan Skaines, an Australian Army Artillery Command Systems Operator. Bombardier Skaines is deployed on exercise Hamel and is providing simulation support within the Exercise Control headquarters. What if you are unsuccessful in the recruitment process? What does the modern, digital army look like, and what career paths are open to members of the Australian Army? Bombardier Skaines talks about his career so far, including dealing with rejection in the recruitment process, his current role and his future aspirations to become a helicopter pilot.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews an Australian Army Physiotherapist, Captain Karmen Sampson. Captain Sampson is deployed on exercise Hamel and provides physiotherapy support to the men and women of the 1st Brigade. What is it like to provide this type of support in the field environment and how do they train to ensure they are able to provide this support when needed? Captain Sampson explains her role on exercise Hamel.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews the Commanding Officer of the reserve battle group, Lieutenant Colonel Tom Biedermann. This unit, Battle Group Jacka, is comprised of regular and reserve soldiers from the 4th and 9th Brigades. What are the challenges of training a reserve force to support a regular combat brigade? Lieutenant Colonel Biedermann explains the unique challenges facing Battle Group Jacka as it supports the 1st Brigade on Exercise Hamel.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews the Officer Commanding the 8th Close Health Company, Major Kelly Dunne. How do you provide health support during a large-scale training activity such as Exercise Hamel? Major Dunne explains how she trains her team to provide the health support the soldiers need.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews Lance Bombardier Tim Muhamad. What is it like to be an Indigenous Australian serving in the army? Lance Bombardier Muhamad talks about his journey from the Torres Strait Islands to the artillery gun line.

In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews the Director General of Training & Doctrine, Brigadier Mick Ryan. They discuss Exercise Hamel, the Australian Army's major annual exercise. What does the exercise set out to achieve and why does it matter?