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In an address to the National Press Club in October 2006, the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) at the time, Mick Keelty, mentioned that the increasing demand for police to participate in increasingly complex and robust international peace-keeping operations had led the AFP, notably its International Deployment Group (IDG), to grapple with the notion of it operating as a ‘pseudo-gendarmerie force’. As Australia’s defence community and concerned academics have sought to sift for lessons …
Simplicity is a principle of war. The ongoing pursuit of ‘synchronised effects’ is causing staffs, staff processes and staff systems to grow ever more complicated contrary to the simplicity principle. The resulting demand on commanders and principal staff officers is overwhelming and operations tempo is notably sluggish. The common observation that staffs do not ‘integrate effects’ well is a symptom of this problem; but it is a symptom of the pursuit of the wrong idea rather than staff inadequacy. The …
Combat Service Support (CSS) assets by their very nature, are vulnerable in the battlespace. They are often slow, cumbersome and leave a large signature; making it tedious and resource intensive for commanders to protect. In manoeuvre warfare, they are a tempting target, a gap between hard services which can cause disproportionate damage when attrited. A classic dilemma for the commander is allocating correct combat weight to protect CSS assets whilst still achieving mission aims. The Australian Defence …
Army is making significant progress to reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness, particularly illness linked to operational service. If this encourages even a small number of ill personnel to obtain support and treatment early to reduce their risk of chronic pathology, it is an immensely positive change. Army’s enhanced mental health strategies are a significant improvement and demonstrate the emphasis Army is placing on looking after the welfare of veterans. Highlighting only chronic illness amongst …
Introduction Imagine having the ability to direct suppressive fire on to a target from distance without ever revealing the location of your machine guns to the enemy. In the Australian Army this capability is a reality. In the infantry, Direct Fire Support Weapons (DFSW) soldiers are charged with providing the suppressive fire necessary for manoeuvre elements to close with and kill the enemy. At present, extended range machine gunnery (ERMG) is a specialist skill that takes weeks to teach to a trained …
I have an idea for producing high-quality drinking water at very short notice in support of soldiers engaging in disaster relief efforts. It will significantly reduce the need for ongoing resupply and the extremely high cost associated with moving bulk water. The solution is a lightweight water purification unit. Contaminated water supply during natural disasters is a serious concern that quickly falls to assist organisations such as the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to combat. Deployment of the existing …
Colonel Gross is a serving officer in the German Defence Force and the head of German Military History (pre-1945) at the Centre for Military History in Potsdam. He is extensively published; and his most recent book is: Development of Operational Thinking in the German Army in the World War Era. … Gerhard …
