The Australian Defence Force has adopted a new digital battle space strategy and modern warfare posture to advance the country’s preparedness for combat and “grey-zone tactics” aimed at undermining and penetrating the nation’s defences. Facing a decade of...
If Defence is determined to learn the lessons of the past, why isn’t it being upfront with the public on its response to the Brereton war crimes inquiry? Justice Paul Brereton’s report last November laid bare the most shameful chapter in the Australian Defence Force’s...
THERE are multiple historic examples why the nation known variously as Afghanistan has been termed “the graveyard of empires”. Now, after 20 years of continuous involvement in the latest failed international intervention in Afghan affairs, Australia has also become...
AS the inimitable Sir Humphrey Appleby once opined, “Minister, two basic rules of government: Never look into anything you don’t have to. “And never set up an inquiry unless you know in advance what its findings will be.”. It should have been the first caution given...
The Australian Government has written a covenant with the members of the Australian Defence Community in which it commits to supporting veterans and their families and build greater community awareness of the unique nature of military service. It also promises amongst...
After several overseas military interventions, Australia post-Afghanistan faces what will likely prove a long period of introspective planning for a potential invasion of its mainland. READ MORE
In a TV interview with Alan Jones, Army and RAR veteran Justin Huggett MG opines, “You can either have a military that is a “direct reflection” of your society or you can have a military that “fights and wins – you cannot have both”. “I genuinely hope for the future...
This article is from the May 3 issue of The Courier Mail Digital Edition. Justin Huggett is a former Infantry Platoon Sergeant and a Medal for Gallantry (MG) recipient “IF YOU spend a long enough time as an enlisted soldier, you start picking up common themes...
Australia’s most decorated war hero has delivered a scathing attack on the Australian Defence Force’s top brass for their “disgusting” treatment of veterans and “staggering” lack of direction. Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith said military commanders had run...
THE extended ADF community has never been so divided against itself as it is right now. The ADF’s current “leadership” — a severely overstated assessment — may have finally met an equally formidable opponent in tyro Defence Minister Peter Dutton. The mere mention of...