Abstract This article reviews the current state of post-operational debriefing in the Australian Army, demonstrating its strengths and weaknesses and comparing it with similar coalition processes. The author concludes by offering two recommendations for enhancing the utility of post-operational debriefing, suggesting that it occur prior to departure from the theatre of operations and that the Chief of Army’s Lessons Seminars be expanded. After the Second World War the United States chief combat historian, …

Abstract This article examines the need for a system to educate the Australian Army NCO corps about counterinsurgency operations. The author argues that, as the ‘strategic corporal’ becomes ever more important, properly educating them becomes equally important. This education will offer an assurance of capability to commanders that simply relying on Australia’s non-existent ‘natural predisposition’ for COIN cannot. The author warns that with such education must come a commensurate devolution of authority …

Abstract This article recalls the author’s experiences at the Iraqi Joint Headquarters. During his time in Baghdad, the author came to understand that there was cause for guarded optimism about the future of Iraq, and that success for the US-led coalition was indeed possible. However, he also learned that some significant progress is yet to be made along this path, and he details what he believes are the precursors for such progress. We are Sunni, we are Shia, we are Christian, we are Kurd. We come …

General Sir Francis Hassett, AC, KBE, CB, DSO, LVO (1918-2008) After a distinguished and grand life of service dedicated to the nation in war and peace, General Sir Francis Hassett died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Canberra on the morning of Wednesday 11 June 2008. Admired and respected by all soldiers with whom he served, and deeply loved by his family, he graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1938, and thirty-seven years later led the Australian Defence Force as Chairman of …

Alec Jeffrey Hill AM, MBE, ED (1916–2008) Alec Jeffrey Hill was born on 2 July 1916 and educated at Sydney Grammar School, the University of Sydney and Balliol College, Oxford. He was proud of the latter in particular, and remained a ‘Balliol man’ all his life. His father served in the Great War and died while Alec was still a boy. In 1936 Alec received a commission in the Militia, joining the NSW Scottish Regiment. He joined the 2nd Australian Imperial Force when the war came, and served for the duration. …

  … Chauvel Essay Prize Winner 2008 …

Abstract This article examines the extent to which cross-cultural competence has been absorbed by the Army and incorporated into its institutions and practices. The author concludes that there is a firm understanding of culture’s importance within the Army, but that more work is necessary. The author focuses on several areas where improvements may be made, such as increasing the Army’s awareness that its own culture will affect operations, and the further institutionalisation of hard-won cultural lessons …

Major General A L Morrison, AO, DSO, MBE (1927–2008) Major General Alan Lindsay Morrison, widely and affectionately known as ‘Alby’, was born in Sydney on 15 August 1927 and educated at Waverly College. He entered RMC Duntroon during the Second World War and graduated, to Infantry, in December 1947. Like many of his own and subsequent classes, he served in Japan during the Allied occupation, in his case with the 66th Battalion, the forebear of 2 RAR. Service in the Korean War was also a shared experience …

The Most Reverend John Aloysius Morgan, AO, DD, RFD, ED (1909–2008) The Most Reverend John Aloysius Morgan, the son of Patrick and Catherine Morgan, was born on 9 October 1909, at Niddrie Homestead in Essendon, Victoria. A man with a love of horse racing, he would often recall that he was born on Caulfield Guineas Race Day. He grew up in a young nation that had seen the horrors of the First World War, the dismay of the survivors and the devastation of the Great Depression. He was ordained into the Catholic …

The Australian Army’s decision to write a new manual for counterinsurgency operations is a welcome one. Doctrine drafters may soon discover that the writing of doctrine, with some degree of ‘Australian-ness’ about it and deserving of our future commanders, will be a more complex task than initially imagined. This process will include a number of stakeholders, and there will be frequent reference back to the most senior officer responsible. Importantly, in addition to experience, if senior officers can …