The Edge

Streamlining Air Land Operations for Better Outcomes

Abstract

Suicide, Male Honour and the Masculinity Paradox: its impact on the ADF

In this powerful article, Anne Goyne the Senior Psychologist and Deputy Director Research at the Centre for Defence Leadership and Ethics (CDLE) at the Australian Defence College (ADC) explores the reason for male suicide and its high prevalence in wider society. She highlights the paradox of low ADF male suicide rates and the very high rates of suicide of ex-serving military men.

Joint Warfighting - The Impact of Assumption and Bias

Are aspects of the JMAP fundamentally flawed? In the absence of a complete intelligence picture, planners often make a series of assumptions. These are based on an unproven assessment of the adversary plan. Within these assumptions lie a series of unanswered questions relating to ‘intent’. This article explores how bias and assumption can impact on the planning process and complicate the successful attainment of the end-state.

Jamie Cullens Defence Essay Competition - 2018 Winners

The annual Jamie Cullens Defence Leadership and Ethics Essay Competition was established in 2018 to promote critical thinking and discussion around contemporary leadership and ethics, and considerations for ethical issues for the future of the profession of arms. The Forge welcomes you to read the prize winning essays for 2018.

Scenario Planning and Strategy in the Pentagon

Dr. Michael Fitzsimmons at the U.S. Army War College examines scenario plan­ning in the Pentagon. He demonstrates how uncertainty and com­plexity converge with the DOD’s bureaucratic decision-making to subvert what should be a straightforward process. His recommendations for reorienting this invite debate among strategists, planners, and the broader joint community.

ANU's support to JPME at the ACSC

A short essay on the Military and Defence Studies Program taught by the ANU's Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, the significance of ANU's research-based teaching on strategy, leadership and military history, and on the need to remain nimble minded for what happens next.

Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) - What's the Story?

Dr. Heather Skousgaard gives an excellent, easily accessible taster to the importance of cultural intelligence (CQ) and why it is nested within the Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) continuum. Stay engaged for further discussion on this topic by Dr. Skousgaard on the Forge!

We are ‘Better Together’: A contemporary case study #2

The much-anticipated key lessons by Ben McLennan, as applied to the contemporary case study - we are 'better together'.

Joint Professional Military Education (JPME)

The Australian Joint Professional Military Education Continuum is Australia’s system to develop mastery in the Profession of Arms and aims to cultivate an intellectual edge in warfighting. The Joint Professional Military Education Continuum comprises:

We are 'Better Together': A Contemporary Case Study #1

In his third installment for The Forge, Ben McLennan discusses the enduring cooperative endeavour between the Australian Defence Force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Ben presents us with a contemporary case study in cross-cultural leadership, collaboration, and cooperation. Stay tuned at the end of the week for the lessons-learned for this case study of working 'better together'...

Is it the 11 secret herbs and spices, or the way it's cooked?

LTCOL Ben McLennan's second delecatable piece unfries the recipe for success for military capability! You will easily digest McLennan's thoughts on what it takes to be expert in your chosen field - whether it be culinary or military!

How to Think (and How Not To)

In this piece, Ben McLennan discusses the pressing need to educate the Army’s workforce on how to think (and how not to). In his discussion, McLennan cogently addresses systems thinking, inherent biases and the need for open-mindedness as part of understanding the recipe to transform Army’s thinking. While specific to McLennan’s Army experience, his observations are equally applicable to other Services and anyone who aspires to think in a way that harnesses a competitive advantage.