In this week's episode, we sit down with our regular co-host LTCOL Steve Young to explore the challenging realities of age in war. Drawing on historical context, we delve into the physical and psychological toll large-scale combat takes on the human body, particularly during intense missions like those in the Pacific theatre during World War II. The average age of commanding officers pre-WWII was 48 years old; however, in 1945 it had dropped to just 30 years old, meaning there were some officers...
Nov 10, 2024•38 min
In this episode we sit down with BRIG James Davis, an exceptional leader known for his unwavering commitment to physical fitness and his ability to set high standards for himself and others. He shares his insights on maintaining rigorous fitness standards, how important our job really is, and balances this by talking about the potential pitfalls of running on “red-line” for decades. He candidly discusses the realities of Army life, emphasising that we cannot compromise on the demands of war. Thr...
Nov 03, 2024•41 min
Dr Jack Watling wrote a book in the back of an armoured vehicle in Ukraine while watching technology be employed for the first time on the front-line. Starting life as a journalist and now an academic, his book titled The Arms of The Future is centred on the future of land warfare. In this week’s episode of The Cove Podcast, Jack argues that we are shifting from mechanised to informatised warfare, he flips the current Army structure on its head and explains how challenging it is to fight in cont...
Oct 27, 2024•1 hr 1 min
On this week's episode of The Cove Podcast, our new host CAPT Todd Lempa invites LTCOL Steve Young to discuss the difficulty of mobilisation in large scale combat. We discuss the need for reinforcement, the importance of leaving your best soldiers out-of-battle and the conditions that led to the Australian Army to peak at 476,000 personnel in 1943. LTCOL Young uses his passion for history to explain our current strategic challenges using historical case-studies, including how we have expanded tr...
Oct 20, 2024•48 min
Since 6 May 2024, Part IXAA of the Defence Act 1903 Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets (SAMS) requires certain individuals, notably former Defence personnel, to obtain foreign work authorisation (FWA) before working for a foreign military or foreign government body or providing training to a foreign military or government body that is related to Part 1 of the Defence and Strategic Goods List, or military tactics, techniques and procedures. The new law is not intended to limit individuals ...
Aug 07, 2024•27 min
Trust is foundation of everything we do in the profession of arms. Trust within teams, trust up and down the chain of command, and importantly the trust placed in us by the Australian people. In this episode, listen as SO1 Cove LTCOL Johnson interviews four leaders - Commander 3rd Brigade BRIG Dave McCammon, Health Officer CAPT Rachael O'Sullivan, and 3 Bde JNCOs CPL Connor Dawson and LCPL Che Morris, on the importance of trust and generating trust as a leader at all levels.
Jun 27, 2024•27 min
The Defence Strategic Review was released on 24 April 2023. The DSR recommended far reaching changes to the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) strategic posture and capability in response to what it termed ‘radically different’ strategic circumstances. The DSR focuses on three things: (1) a specific threat, being the threat posed to Australia’s interests; (2) an integrated all-domain force with an emphasis on long-range precision strike; and (3) a strategy of denial (more particularly deterrence b...
May 14, 2024•39 min
In this special edition episode, WO1 Mark Grigg speaks with MAJ Mark Beretta: Australia’s most watched sports presenter! From the outskirts of Geelong to the Channel 7 newsroom, Mark has had a career filled with highlights and fulfilled his lifelong desire to join the Australian Army later a few years ago. On top of early mornings working on Sunrise, he does three reserve days for Australian Army’s public relations. Mark believes in the importance of education and having a thirst to learn from t...
Nov 09, 2023•40 min
In this episode, WO1 Mark Grigg speaks with the current Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, Warrant Officer Kim Felmingham, NSC, OAM, and five past RSM-A's, including: Warrant Officer Grant McFarlane, AM; Mr Don Spinks, AM; Warrant Officer David Ashley, AM; Mr Kevin Woods, CSC, OAM; and, Mr Peter Rosemond, CSC, OAM. At the Home of the Soldier, this was the first time since 1983 – when the first RSM-A was appointed – that such an event like this has occurred. Each of the participants progresse...
Oct 25, 2023•56 min
In this 'Leaders and Legends' episode, WO1 Mark Grigg speaks with CPL Taylah Gentzen about her military career and being an elite sportswoman. From starting as a rifleman to being a PTI at the School of Infantry, she has done things she never thought were possible. She has a passion for combat-sports and has competed at an elite level for 12 years. Taylah is the number one professional boxing lightweight in Australia. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science part-time, with ...
Oct 11, 2023•33 min
In this episode, WO1 Mark Grigg speaks with CPL Amy Kowski. From joining the Army as a gap-year as a caterer, to a psych assistant, and now studying a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) at the moment. Hear how CPL Amy Kowski is managing full-time work and full-time study, with some tips on how to balance her time and the changes to her priorities. She also explains her experience with Army Sports playing AFL: representing the Service in carnivals and bonding with teammates. Learning a lot about A...
Sep 27, 2023•22 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss what an Army Chaplain does. Who do they support? What is a Chaplains role in providing pastoral care? How is their role different out field or on operations? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Chaplain Kerri Frizzwell, COORD Chaplain at RMC-D.
Sep 21, 2023•24 min
In this 'Leaders and Legends' episode, WO1 Mark Grigg speaks with LT John Limbert about his time as the 2018 Forces Command Soldier of the year and his commissioning.
Sep 13, 2023•29 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss moral injury. What is moral injury? How do people recover from Moral Injury? Can it be prevented? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Colonel Mark Francis (Retd.) who is the Moral Injury Project Director for Joint Health Command.
Sep 07, 2023•9 min
In this 'Leaders and Legends' episode, WO1 Mark Grigg speaks with WO2 James Debono about his involvement with the Army Secondment Program and – in particular – his time with the AFL.
Aug 30, 2023•25 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) spirituality. What is Indigenous spirituality? How are mobs (language groups) connected to the land? How does ATSI spirituality support Defence capability? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Captain Clint McGoldrick who is the RAACHD Indigenous Advisor.
Aug 24, 2023•13 min
In this 'Leaders and Legends' episode, WO1 Mark Grigg speaks with WO1 Nathan Cole about his time at the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy and hear some of his ideas on the professional development of our people.
Aug 16, 2023•33 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we explore if faith and spirituality is expressed differently by women. How does spirituality support women in the ADF? Are there barriers? How can a female perspective on faith and spirituality enable Defence capability? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Reverend Kaye Ronalds who is the Religious Advisor Committee for the Uniting Church.
Aug 10, 2023•27 min
In this premier episode of 'Leaders and Legends', WO1 Grigg speaks with WO1 Darren Murch. Learning about the Command Sergeant Major of Forces Command 37-year career, his views on leadership and personnel development, and tips for being a successful Sergeant Major.
Aug 03, 2023•36 min•Season 4Ep. 1
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss No Religion. A large portion of Australia's population identifies as 'no religion'. What are their belief systems and worldviews? How can commanders support adherents to secular beliefs, other spiritual beliefs, no religious affiliation, and more? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Chaplain Ivan Grant, Deputy Command Chaplain of Forces Command.
Jul 27, 2023•15 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss the Protestant tradition. What is the common ground in the Protestant faith? How does Christianity give believers a sense of purpose? In what way does the Protestant faith supports Defence capability? Series 3 – Soul is presented by reverend Ralph Estherby who is the Religious Advisor Committee for the Protestant faith.
Jul 20, 2023•13 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss the Catholic faith? What distinguishes Catholicism distinct? How does the faith support a believer? How can commanders support an adherent to the Catholic faith? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Chaplain Thomas Zaranski. He was commissioned into the Army in January 2022 after completing the Special Service Officers Course at RMC followed by the Chaplaincy Couse at the Defence force Chaplaincy College.
Jul 13, 2023•17 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss the Anglican faith. What is the story of Christianity? How does the Anglican faith support Defence capability? How can commanders support an adherent to Christianity? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Reverend Grant Dibden, who is the Religious Advisor Committee for the Anglian faith.
Jul 06, 2023•23 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss the Jewish faith. What are the important values to Judaism? How can commanders support an adherent to the Jewish faith? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Rabbi Ralph Genende, OAM who is the Religious Advisor Committee for the Jewish faith.
Jun 29, 2023•10 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss the Muslim faith. Why is peace the essence of Islam? How does Islam support their believers? How does the Islamic faith support Defence capability? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Imam Ahmed Abdo. Ahmed is currently the Religious Advisor Committee for the Islamic faith and the President of the Council of Imams NSW.
Jun 22, 2023•47 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss the Buddhism belief. What are the core teachings? How does the faith support a believer? How can commanders support an adherent to Buddhism? Series 3 – Soul is presented by LCDR Jeffrey Newton who is currently studying to be a Navy Chaplain.
Jun 15, 2023•23 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss Sikhism or Sikhi. What is the history of Sikhi? How does Sikhi support Defence capability? How can commanders support an adherent to the Sikh faith? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Sardar Ajmer Singh Gill who is President of the National Sikh Council of Australia, an umbrella body of the Sikh community in Australia.
Jun 08, 2023•12 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss Hinduism. What are its origins? How does the Hindu faith support Defence capability? How can commanders support an adherent to the Hindu faith? Series 3 – Soul is presented by Subramanian (Sebu) Ramamoorthi. Sebu is currently the Religious Advisor Committee for the Hindu faith in Australia.
Jun 01, 2023•14 min
In this episode of Body, Mind & Soul, we discuss spiritual wellbeing. How do you make sense of life? What are ways to connect to your state of mind? How do you feel belonging? What is your purpose? Series 2 – Mind is presented by Senior Chaplain Dan Hynes, Director of Spiritual Health and Wellbeing at the Joint Health Command.
May 25, 2023•17 min
This special edition CoveTalk is from the April episode of the 2 Div PME Series and features Executive Director Nicola Rosenblum's discussing the Australian Civil-Military Centre's (ACMC's) publication, 'Same Space – Different Mandates’. Which aims to improve stakeholder collaboration when responding to international disasters and complex emergencies, focusing on the complexity of interagency collaboration to promote productive relationships, dialogue, and constructive civil-military-police inte...
Apr 28, 2023•44 min
