Editorial Update

Welcome to the latest edition of The Bellows. It has been some time since our last update, and we have several important announcements and updates for our readers and authors. This update will include the return of a popular competition, recent changes, and upcoming improvements to The Forge, as well as provide clarity on our commenting and feedback features.

The Jamie Cullen’s Writing Competition Returns

We are delighted to announce the return of the Jamie Cullen's Writing Competition for 2024. It’s time to start crafting your entries! For more details, please visit the Jamie Cullen’s Writing Competition page.

Updates to Forge Features

Citation Tool Enhancement

We have improved support for referencing tools such as Zotero through our Citation tool. This enhancement ensures compatibility of the Forge’s .ris files with all referencing software.

Improved Sign-Up Process

To bolster our security the Forge requires the use of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We have clarified the instructions during the sign-up process. These changes aim to guide you through the setup more efficiently and with less frustration. The most important point is that you will only be able to log in three times without MFA being activated before your account will be blocked.

Enhanced Image Display

We are working on improving how images display in articles. Images should now be larger and diagrams should be more legible. This is a manual setting, so if you encounter a small or unclear image in an older article, please notify us through a comment, or our feedback channel, and we will prioritise addressing the issue.

Upcoming Changes in Forge Management

The Forge remains an important source of Professional Military Education in the Joint space. However, the directive that established The Forge in 2019 is now outdated, referencing obsolete organisational structures and listing The Forge as an ‘Unclassified’ site. We are collaborating with all stakeholders and ADC HQ to update the directive for Forge 3.0.

Key Changes: 

1. Publication of The Forge’s Charter: Once the new directive is signed, we will publish The Forge’s Charter to clearly define our mission and commitments. This charter will be our promise to you, ensuring accountability.
2. Establishment of a Steering Group: A Steering Group will be formed to provide guidance on content and future developments, including reviewing submissions assessed by the editorial team as having potential issues. This will introduce another layer of review for some submissions, but aims to ensure the quality and integrity of the content on The Forge.
3. Establishing the Pitch Process: As mentioned in an earlier Bellows, the Pitch process will be introduced before the end of the year and is now included in the upcoming directive changes.

Comments and Feedback

We highly value your feedback and engagement. Our new comment feature allows you to comment on any article. Comments can be feedback or questions for the author regarding specific points in the article, or perhaps you would like to raise a counterpoint to the article.

Moderation and Posting Guidelines:

1. Moderation: Comments will be moderated to ensure adherence to Defence values. However, as long as your comments are respectful and constructive, they will be published regardless of whether they support or provide a counterargument to the article.
2. Real Names: Be aware that all comments will be posted under your real name, not your username.

Putting my Money where my Mouth is: Feedback on AI Art

We have received feedback regarding the quality of our Generative Artificial Intelligence artwork. We acknowledge the criticism and are committed to improving. While we will continue to use Adobe Firefly, we will ensure that the artwork is of higher quality and free from obvious flaws going forward.

We look forward to your participation and contributions as we continue to evolve and improve The Forge. Thank you for your ongoing support.