What happens to mateship when teams are pushed to their limits? This thought-provoking article explores how pressure, stress, and operational demands can both strengthen and challenge the bonds that underpin military effectiveness. A timely reflection on trust, resilience, and human performance.

Reviewer Darren Cronshaw observes that Strong Ground offers a wealth of resources for leaders prepared to rethink and learn what it takes to bring courage and kindness, focus and discipline to the greatest challenges facing us - even those we've yet to imagine.

Reflecting on the pervasive influence of Samuel Huntington on the concept of military professionalism, Jordan Beavis considers how factors such as social transformation, technological developments and geopoltical changes challenge Huntington's continued relevance.

War and Power is a worthy read for those interested in war and strategy. Reviewer Nash observes that the author goes beyond vague calculations of military strength to analyse what makes for success in war.

Each month, members of the Australian Army Research Centre’s Academic Team curate a selection of recommended readings or presentations, including academic articles, podcasts, conference presentations, books, blogs, and commentary.

Cate Carter outlines the initial findings of an AARC study into Australian Public Service perspectives of employment within Army. Ultimately, the findings of the study should help improve the capacity of APS and Army personnel to work effectively within an integrated workforce.

Providing a contrary and sometimes controversial perspective on Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, O'Brien reminds the reader to remain discerning in the study of our military history.

As Australia wrestles with questions of organisational structure, talent cultivation, technological investment and strategic posture in the space domain, the lessons embedded in the meticulously researched biographies in this book are highly transferable.

This book focuses on strategic level civil–military relationships in the lead up to - and during - war. It examines the nexus between national policy and grand strategy on the one hand and military strategy and campaigns on the other.

The Australian Army Research Centre (AARC) is proud to announce that then Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Simon Stuart AO DSC, has endorsed the winner, runner-up and commended essays for the 2026 Chief of Army Essay Prize competition. The winning essay from the competition is awarded the Chauvel Prize.

Inside the 2025 Chief of Army Essay Competition

Reviewer Carl Rhodes commends this book for explaining the US rationale for adopting various unmanned technologies. It makes a substantial contribution to the literature and is a worthwhile read for those interested in military innovation.

As reviewer Andrew Kirby observes, military institutions inevitably reflect the values and assumptions of the societies from which they are drawn. Soldiers and Civilization is a compelling demonstration of how civilisation has, in turn, forged the profession of arms.

This article by the AARC's Academic Team showcases a selection of recent publications and presentations relevant to contemporary military thought, professional development, and Army research. Featured readings include selections from Parameters, Joint Force Quarterly, War on the Rocks, which examine topics such as the air littoral, AI and military decision-making, tactical-edge manufacturing, Russian force expansion, and ethical leadership. Also included is a Senior Leaders recommended reading from Major General Chris Smith DSC AM CSC, Deputy Chief of Army.

Reviewer Tom Rogers considers why the study of Clausewitz remains relevant today and commends Howard's book on the topic as a clear and concise overview for anyone interested in military history or strategic studies.

This book places professional ethics at the core of military expertise in the 21st century. As reviewer Benjamin Gray observes, it provides a strong scaffold for understanding the profession of arms provided that its US-centric cases are viewed through the an Australian lens.

Does AI make military decisions more ethical? New ADF-backed research tested Vision AI in battlefield shoot/no-shoot scenarios and found a surprising result: often, human judgement still dominates. Read the findings in Occasional Paper 40.

Reviewer Jordan Beavis commends Wilcox’s book as scholarly, insightful, and essential reading. Focussed on the Italian Army, it provides an excellent case study in how military institutions should not manage morale.

According to reviewer Paul Mostafa, this book takes a disciplined approach to summarising one of recent history's most complex strategic periods making the subject accessible to anyone who needs historical insight without overwhelming detail.

Revisiting the military-strategic aspects of WWII is important given the continuous transformation of war planning and its conduct on contemporary battlefields around the world. Reviewer Alexey Muraviev explains why this book is a good entry-point to the topic.