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Lessons from the Military Innovation Literature There exists a consensus in modern military circles about the importance of innovation and adaptation. As the Chief of Army states, ‘The side that adapts fastest gains the edge.’ [1] Retired Major General Mick Ryan likewise argues that ‘an important virtue for military organizations to develop in peacetime, and nurture constantly in war, must be adaptability to unexpected events’. [2] Based on his experience as chief of staff of the Ukrainian army, Valery …

Theorising from the Past to Prepare for Future Wars   Now, men, you answered your country’s call today. We’re all here to defend our homes and loved ones. I know you will not shirk that duty. With no guns, we are naked, but we have one invaluable weapon – ingenuity and improvisation. (‘That’s two’) I want you all to go to your homes. Gather what weapons you can and come back here in an hour’s time. From tonight, whatever the odds, we Englishmen … We British … We here are going to be able to say, ‘Come on, …

This is not an article about what the British Army consider the concept of ‘mission command’ to be; nor is it about how they approach its practice. Those who wish to explore that can simply read their doctrine. It is well written, well thought through, very readable and readily available. [1] I am, however, a great believer in the maxim that if you want to know where you are it’s a very good idea to understand how you got there and where you came from. In that respect, this article will make the (perhaps …

The principle of mission command, though not described as such, was practised by naval forces for centuries, and continues to be into the 21st century. [1] Exercise of command varies greatly depending on the context, and is highly dependent on the mix of organisational culture and enabling technology present. Since the development of radar, and reinforced by the advent of combat data systems and guided weapons, the volume of information available to a naval commander, and the speed with which command …

The most powerful tool we have in succeeding in this era of strategic competition is not the weapons we have, nor is it technology. It is the people … Chief of Army LTGEN Simon Stuart LANPAC 2024   Introduction One distinguishing element of a profession that sets it apart from other jobs is a commitment to ethical and moral conduct. The ‘profession of arms’ is like medicine, law and ministry—professionals who share a commitment to practising a role within the ethical bounds of agreed ethical frameworks. …

Introduction The Chief of Army’s directive to review the state of the Army profession divides the task into a review of Army’s jurisdiction, expertise, and self-regulation. One area of expertise that the Army prides itself on, and which tends at times to set it apart from other services, is in the area of tactical and operational planning. [1] Planning and decision-making is not something that is peculiar to the Army or to the military; planning is an activity that is a normal part of everyday living. …

There is no more challenging role in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) than to command in war.        ADF-P-0 Command [1] Command is not easy. In peace or war, command is one of the most difficult activities we do as military professionals. Command in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is unique—very few organisations can knowingly order subordinates into life-threatening situations. It takes a great deal of training, education and experience to be ready to command, and then the execution of command takes …

Debating the Australian Army Profession In the long history of the Australian Army, there has been no significant, holistic study of the Australian Army profession, past, present or future. [1] This is an awkward statement in an introductory article to a special themed edition of the Australian Army Journal (AAJ), a publication which for 10 years (2003–2013) bore on its title page the phrase ‘For the Profession of Arms’. [2] It is rendered all the more uncomfortable by recalling that the army profession …

Executive Summary The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, originating with the Russian invasion in 2014 and escalating significantly following the full-scale invasion in February 2022, has exerted a profound influence on global security dynamics as well as on the future direction of war. While the likelihood of achieving a peaceful resolution by 2025 remains remote, the war has offered invaluable insights into contemporary warfare, specifically in the areas of advanced technological applications, strategies for …

The Australian Army’s current organisational structure is reminiscent of the fable of the rally driver who would not change his Cooper S Mini after he gave up racing and married. When the rally driver’s first child arrived, he retained the Mini as the family car on the assumption that he would eventually return to racing. A second child soon followed and the family could barely fit in the car. Yet the rally driver refused to dispose of his beloved racing vehicle. A third child duly arrived and the family …