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Abstract In response to a recent essay in the Australian Army Journal,  which continued the current debate about ‘Cultural Awareness’, this article examines the place of the Australian soldier in the community. 1 It questions whether it is counterproductive to remove the soldier from the very community that could teach him the valuable skills in human relations he needs on operations. The author draws examples from current recruiting and accommodation practices, pre-deployment training, recent operations …

Listed below is a selection from the review copies that have arrived at the Australian Army Journal.  Reviews for many of these books can be found online in the relevant edition of the Australian Army Journal  at:  http://www.defence.gov.au/army/lwsc/Australian_Army_Journal.asp •  North Korea on the Brink ,  Glyn Ford with Soyoung Kwon, Pluto Press, ISBN 9780745325989, 249 pp. (Distributed in Australia by Palgrave Macmillan) •  Reporting the War: Freedom of the Press from the American Revolution to the War …

Abstract This article examines the limitations of traditional strategic approaches to the resolution of contemporary conflicts. It proposes control as the unifying idea for military action. Everything in war is simple, but the simplest thing is difficult. The difficulties accumulate... –  Clausewitz Isaiah Berlins famous essay The Hedgehog and the Fox 1   was an examination of the work of Leo Tolstoy that rested on an observation from the ancient Greek poet Archilocus that ‘the fox knows many things but …

Abstract The purpose of this article is to highlight five challenges for Future Infantry in order to stimulate thinking about Future Infantry’s requirement to adapt and change. While this paper is Infantry focused, the challenges outlined will resonate with many people in the wider Army, and are of likely interest to people from Joint, whole-of-government, coalition, contractor and non-government organisations who expect to operate with Army in the future. In the twenty-first century, Future …

Abstract An enduring element of Australia’s commitment to Afghanistan is the Special Operations Task Group (known as TF66). This force is specifically trained for counter-terrorism and counterinsurgency operations, both of which have been conducted as part of the effort in Afghanistan. The effectiveness of these operations has to date been significant. This has been due to the direct and indirect Tines of Operation, which have been developed into a series of operating methodologies throughout the rotations …

Abstract This article argues that Improvised Explosive Devices are robots. In declining to make this connection, Western militaries have been blind to their adversaries’ use of robot-enabled warfare. The effect has been to render Western soldiers tactically and operationally reactive, and on the wrong end of attrition warfare. The resolution lies in understanding how robots are supervised, and how a robot-enabled force can enable its personnel to out-adapt their human foes. Introduction The rapid fielding …

Listed below is a selection from the review copies that have arrived at the Australian Army Journal . Reviews for many of these books can be found online in the relevant edition of the Australian Army Journal at: http://www.defence.gov.au/army/lwsc/Australian_Army_Journal.asp North Korea on the Brink, Glyn Ford with Soyoung Kwon, Pluto Press, ISBN 9780745325989, 249 pp. (Distributed in Australia by Palgrave Macmillan) Reporting the War: Freedom of the Press from the American Revolution to the War on …

Abstract Adaptive Campaigning – Army’s Future Land Operations Concept is a wake up call for the Army and ADF as a whole, as it seeks to generate effects in the modern complex operational environment. A core element of the concept is the requirement to recognise and utilise the global information environment to support operations. While the concept in various versions has been available for some time, Army has yet to fully embrace the capabilities already resident within its organisation to focus on winning …

Abstract This article argues that, while the nine core behaviours are an excellent base for our soldiers, it is perhaps time to consider enhancing their skills to ensure they are better prepared for the dual factors of an operationally busy Army and competitive enemies. This article proposes the Enterprising Soldier model, to provide the Australian Army and the Land Force with a capability edge over known and anticipated enemies, which takes the Australian soldier beyond Army’s nine core behaviours. This …

Abstract John Boyd is a military theorist who achieved significant influence on military thought with his renowned OODA Loop. His thoughts evolved during the Cold War, but he did consider guerrilla and irregular warfare. The majority of his work dealt with this security environment as his frame of reference. The author believes that Boyd’s work remains relevant to the contemporary security environment. Boyd’s approach to strategy is articulated and then discussed using the 9/11 Commission Report as a tool …