This, the Autumn 2010 edition of the Australian Army Journal coincides with Anzac Day. Anzac Day is of deep emotional significance to the Australian nation, with many going so far as to deem that it represents the birth of our authentic national identity, rather than a commemoration of our war dead.
The Australian Army is fortunate to be so strongly identified with a day of such central importance to the Australian people. On this day it is appropriate for every Australian soldier to pause and reflect on the enormous respect that they enjoy in the community. We are custodians of an important aspect of our nation’s heritage. Every Australian soldier is imbued with awareness of this through the elements of the ‘I’m an Australian Soldier’ initiative, which explicitly acknowledges our debt to those who have gone before us.
This is especially evident in the resurgence in popular observance of Anzac Day rituals, particularly the Dawn Service. Over the past decade, as the popular observance of Anzac Day has grown, the Australian Army has also been engaged at a very high tempo in theatres as diverse as Bougainville, Timor-Leste, the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan. Together these trends have enhanced the reputation and public standing of the Australian Army.
This obvious public appreciation of the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families has been inspiring to every Australian soldier. It is in stark contrast to the unfair public odium directed at the Army as well as soldiers and their families during the Vietnam War.
As gratifying as such popular recognition of the sacrifice of our service personnel is, for serving soldiers there is an even more important private aspect to Anzac Day. A large number of our mates are currently deployed on operations against determined and lethal enemies. Others have returned from active service or are in the process of preparing to deploy. A significant portion of the Army has experienced the grim reality of war in recent years, including the death and wounding of mates. This serves to lend Anzac Day a reflective, rather than a celebratory quality to those in uniform.
In that spirit we publish ‘An Anzac Reflection’ by Brigadier Nick Jans, who revives his memories of service in Vietnam. Most readers will recognise in his portrait of the soldiers with whom he served the same qualities of courage, professionalism and resourcefulness that many consider characteristic of the modern Australian Digger.
In this edition we continue our focus on current operations in Afghanistan. In particular, Lieutenant Colonel Jon Hawkins examines two other insurgencies— in Aden and Oman—for possible lessons applicable to our current operations. And Major Ian Langford makes an excellent contribution to our understanding of the Afghanistan theatre with his consideration of Australian Special Forces operations there.
Of similar interest is a provocative and thoughtful article by Major Cate Carter inspired by her operational experience in Timor-Leste. It is now firmly established conventional wisdom that in era of so-called ‘war amongst the people’ that every soldier must supplement his or her conventional combat skills with language and cultural proficiency. Major Carter’s article is a highly original examination of the challenges in achieving this.
Nonetheless, close combat remains the inescapable characteristic of warfare and the article by Major James Davis makes a compelling case for Army to maintain its focus on this fundamental determinant of success. Colonel Chris Field expands on the challenges facing the Infantry in adapting to the dynamic operational environment, although his article is relevant to all arms.
This edition of the Journal features a number of very innovative articles about concept development, which are indicative of the vibrant climate of innovation within the Australian Army. We continue to be encouraged by the steady flow of unsolicited manuscripts that are being submitted to the Journal. The future of the Australian Army Journal looks to be secure.
We commend this edition of the Australian Army Journal to our readers.
