The Edge

CDLE Command Paper 2 - 2004

CDLE Command Paper 2-2004 is a commentary and discussion on developing a Command philosophy. Developed by CDLE for the Australian Command and Staff Course in 2004, it has some timeless advice regarding how to tackle command and how to develop a command phiolospohy whether it is personal or officially promulgated.

How to Survive a Posting to a joint Unit: The Three Services’ Cultural Approaches to Leadership and Discipline

Introduction

Age of Empires: Balancing Imperial Commitments between the First and Second World Wars

This article explores how the interwar period resulted in imperial commitments, military, strategic and political culture that severely constrained Britain and France’s ability to prepare for and fight war in Europe.

Balancing Empire and War: Britain and France in the Early 20th Century

This paper argues that while Britain and France did face some constraints in their need to balance imperial commitments with European war preparations in the 19th and 20th centuries, their respective imperial possessions provided some essential benefits in their attempts to ready themselves for a continental war.

Computer Vision, Reinforcement Learning and Imitation Learning in Robotics

The article is aimed at any military officer or non-commissioned soldier with an interest in future technologies. No formal study in the field is required. The article is useful to appreciate the current pace in artificial intelligence designs and to inform realistic future military capabilities.

Opposing Inherent Immorality in Autonomous Weapons Systems

Lethal autonomous weapons systems, or LAWS, defined by the US Department of Defense as “a weapons system that once activated, can select and engage targets without further intervention by a human operator,”^[1] will be the next leap in military technology and already we are coiling for the jump. Every major power is investing in their development. Now, before they are ready for deployment, is the time to form an ethical understanding that can guide the creation of laws to fairly and humanely regulate their use.

A Response to “JPME With a Purpose: Breaking Through the Mythology”

While scrolling through the list of articles on offer on the “Edge” page of the Forge, my attention was caught by the summary of “JPME With a Purpose: Breaking Through the Mythology” of January 7, 2021. It reads as follows:

A personal search for the truth beyond the myths of Canada’s naval success reinforces the merits of Australia’s attitude to cultivating informed leadership through a robust JPME system that encourages the asking of uncomfortable questions.

A Specialised Workforce & The Future ADF: Two Dangers to Consider

Synopsis

The ADF’s future capability necessarily involves a growing specialised workforce. Understanding, embracing and integrating their role into operational doctrine and leadership models will maximise the benefits and minimise the pitfalls.

This article examines two interrelated aspects of leadership and command in the ADF, with an eye to the future.

The Chiefs: A Study of Strategic Leadership

In 2007, a research project was undertaken by Dr Nick Jans, Jamie Cullens and Dr Stephen Mugford, analysing the process of top-level strategic leadership in the Australian Defence Community.

Centers of Gravity from the “Inside Out”

LTCOL Jan Rueschhoff and LTCOL Jonathan Dunne’s paper on identifying Centre of Gravity through the “Inside Out” method. The paper aims to provide a better understanding of Critical Factors Analysis to allow staff to develop plans that are both more efficient and effective.