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
Oct 29, 2016 • 12min
Episode 19 - Exercise Hamel - Warrant Officer Class 2 Luke Burgess
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.
Oct 22, 2016 • 10min
Episode 18 - Exercise Hamel - Lieutenant Colonel Ruth Perry
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.
Oct 15, 2016 • 9min
Episode 17 - Exercise Hamel - Major Derek Hayles
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.
Oct 8, 2016 • 10min
Episode 16 - Exercise Hamel - Brigadier Paul Nothard
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.
Oct 1, 2016 • 10min
Episode 15 - Exercise Hamel - Brigade Maintenance Area
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.
Sep 24, 2016 • 11min
Episode 14 - Exercise Hamel - Brigadier Tony Rawlins
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.
Sep 17, 2016 • 15min
Episode 13 - Exercise Hamel - Colonel Damian Hill
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.
Sep 10, 2016 • 13min
Episode 12 - Training - Warrant Officer Don Spinks, OAM
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.
Sep 3, 2016 • 14min
Episode 11 - Innovation - MAJGEN Fergus (Gus) McLachlan
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.
Aug 9, 2016 • 12min
Episode 10 - Exercise Hamel - Battle Group Jacka
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.
