Recommended publications.

Mick Ryan is the Commander of the Australian Defence College. This column from Ryan and his contributors focusses on intellectually preparing members of the profession of arms for strategic competition and future conflict.

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.

Mick Ryan offers a new ‘value proposition’ for the intellectual development of military personnel for conflict in the 4th industrial revolution.

Do the existing theoretical and procedural frameworks for planning and conducting military campaigns enable western militaries to adapt to the demands of contemporary political warfare?

Will you be attending the Australian Command and Staff College (Joint) (ACSC) course in 2019? Or have you just been selected for 2020? If the answer is yes, then you’ll want to read this unofficial guide to the ACSC posted on The Cove. It offers an excellent tool for prospective students. As the author states, the guide is written from a student’s perspective and covers a range of topics in a handy A-Z format.

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!

A recent presentation that I gave in Canberra that looks at the Star Wars universe, and its lessons for strategists and the intelligence community.