Letters and Commentary

To the Editors

In December of 2003, the Australian Army Journal (AAJ) editorialised that ‘the place of intellectual mastery in preparing armies for warfighting is now well established and Western military journals have often played a key role in shaping change’. It posed a series of questions linked to army personnel, education, training, force structure and how best to meet the challenges of the complex battlefield of the 21st-century. The AAJ has proven itself to be ‘the main forum for such an exchange of ideas’ and has consistently delivered relevant articles that have stimulated written debate. This should be applauded.

But the question needs to be asked: how many officers and soldiers actually read and discuss the ideas presented in the AAJ? The day-to-day intellectual forums reside in the units where the soldiers and officers work together to put into practice ideas and doctrine that make for a better army. The AAJ loses its relevance if these men and women are not engaged by it. At present, the AAJ could do more to build a readership within the junior ranks. My observation is that the AAJ needs to lift its profile and restate its purpose to the junior officers and soldiers in the Army. My suggestion is that the AAJ Editorial team travel to messes and units throughout the Army and introduce themselves over a quiet beer or two, make a case for the journal and encourage those with ideas to speak up and put pen to paper. The AAJ needs to extend its influence beyond Canberra and out to the soldiers who work at the sharp end.

Andrew Hastie

Lieutenant

2nd Cavalry Regiment