‘They call it trading steel for blood’. Welcome back to the 2025 season of The Cove Podcast. Our first episode this year is on Project Convergence.

Project Convergence is not a command post exercise, it is also not a training exercise. It is a large-scale experiment without the constraints of training levels that allows the US Military, its allies and Defence industry to have at it testing future concepts and the newest war fighting technology. Firing remote HIMARS with an Xbox controller, flying blood forward from a hospital to a wounded soldier with an unmanned drone and combatting large swarms of enemy drones, this is where technology meets future fighting.

Our guest this episode - LTCOL Tommy Gains - began his experimental journey at the US Marine Corps Warfighting Lab in Quantico. He is now the lead planner on Australia’s contribution to Project Convergence and has spent the last two years designing how the Australian Army leans into this experiment.

Project Convergence Capstone 5 will run in March 2025 on the west coast of the USA but also takes the experiment to the Pacific for the first time. Whether you get the privilege of taking part or whether you observe from afar as the experiment occurs, this is your chance to be a part of the cutting edge of Future Land Warfare.

________________________________________

Make sure to listen and subscribe to make sure that you do not miss out on any of The Cove Podcast.

LTCOL Brian Hickey is the current Commanding Officer of the Royal Military College - Duntroon (RMC-D) and he is in-charge of the current 12-month Officer Commissioning Program trial.

Royal Military College - Duntroon (RMC-D) has recently shifted from the traditional 18-month program to a more intense 12-month course. In this episode, LTCOL Brian Hickey provides valuable insights into what has changed, what has stayed the same and how it impacts the development of the Army's future lieutenants. We also explore the growing emphasis on leadership in the training and the role of simulation in planning assessments, which is revolutionising how cadets are tested on their decision-making abilities.

In addition, LTCOL Brian Hickey shares the benefits of having consistent instructors throughout the duration of a cadet’s training, fostering deeper mentor relationships and better continuity in learning. The realisation that instructors at RMC-D are more likely to become Officer Commanding's, Squadron Sergeant Majors, and Company Sergeant Majors than those from any other unit leads to the CO demanding that they mentor and develop those that will soon become the Platoon or Troop Commanders in their sub-units.

Finally, we go through five common myths about the Officer Commissioning Program trial and get the truth about the changes to RMC-D.

Whether you've been through Duntroon yourself, are on the path to go through officer training or you're a soldier that demands to know what your Platoon Commander was taught, this episode is packed with insight into how RMC-D is shaping the commanders and war fighters of tomorrow.

________________________________________

Make sure to listen and subscribe to make sure that you do not miss out on any of The Cove Podcast.

‘History offers us examples of when deterrence has failed but there is still a requirement to deny’. In this week’s episode, we delve into Australia's National Defence Strategy and explore how the concept of Deterrence through Denial has been employed in history. Joined by our regular co-host LTCOL Steve Young, we examine the strategic significance of the Forward Observation Line during World War II, with a focus on three airfields: Laha in Ambon, Kupang in Timor, and Rabaul in New Guinea.

We focus on Gull Force, Sparrow Force, and Lark Force, three Australian military units that faced the Japanese advance in the Pacific—one of the most audacious military advances in human history. These forces were deployed to the island chain to Australia’s north during a time when the nation was not only under threat in the Pacific but also deeply involved in other theatres of war, from Europe to North Africa and the Middle East.

LTCOL Steve Young explains how the Forward Observation Line was intended to act as Australia’s deterrence against the Japanese thrust into the Pacific, and how this strategy was ultimately shaped by the challenges of operating in remote, hostile environments against a much larger enemy. Exercise Shaggy Ridge—a gruelling food and sleep deprivation exercise undertaken by each staff cadet at the Royal Military College – Duntroon—was originally known as Exercise Timor. Exercise Timor was designed to simulate the hardships faced by Sparrow Force as they withdrew under intense pressure from Japanese forces during the campaign in Timor. We set the preconditions to tell this story in detail in a later episode.

________________________________________

Make sure to listen and subscribe to make sure that you do not miss out on any of The Cove Podcast.

Leading source:

Evans, D., 2010. The Ambon Forward Observation Line Strategy 1941-1942 A Lesson in Military Incompetence (Doctoral dissertation, Murdoch University).

Serving in Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is an aspiration for many and attainable for some. It is a popular choice for ADF members seeking to take their career to the next level and civilians wanting more out of life than a trade or corporate job can offer. 

Recruiting is underway to identify the next generation of Special Forces Operators, Engineers, Signallers, Medics and Enablers. Depending on the role, some candidates participate in the Special Forces Selection Course (SFSC) – one of the longest and most gruelling selection courses in the world.

We’ve partnered with the ADF School of Special Operations to produce a series of episodes to give you insights straight from the source. If you’re interested in joining SOCOMD’s units - 1st Commando Regiment, Special Air Service Regiment, 2nd Commando Regiment, Special Operations Engineer Regiment or Special Operations Logistics Squadron then this is the series for you.

This episode features two Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) from Human Performance Wing – Kampo & Ben. They are involved in multiple phases of Special Forces recruitment, including pre-Selection physical training, Selection itself and the post-Selection Reinforcement Training Cycle. Drawing on their experience over the years, we discuss becoming physically optimised and ready for Selection and the 30-week physical training program. Kampo & Ben also provide some helpful tips to assist with your own training and preparation.

SOCOMD is looking for high calibre individuals who ready to play a part in cutting-edge warfare now, and into the future. Could it be you?

Find out More: Special Forces Operator - ADF Careers

Serving in Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) is an aspiration for many and attainable for some. It is a popular choice for ADF members seeking to take their career to the next level and civilians wanting more out of life than a trade or corporate job can offer.

Recruiting is underway to identify the next generation of Special Forces Operators, Engineers, Signallers, Medics and Enablers. Depending on the role, some candidates participate in the Special Forces Selection Course (SFSC) – one of the longest and most gruelling selection courses in the world.

We’ve partnered with the ADF School of Special Operations to produce a series of episodes to give you insights straight from the source. If you’re interested in joining SOCOMD’s units - 1st Commando Regiment, Special Air Service Regiment, 2nd Commando Regiment, Special Operations Engineer Regiment or Special Operations Logistics Squadron this is the series for you.

This episode features MAJ J, the OC of Selection Wing – responsible for the attraction, screening and selection of the workforce across the Command. We discuss the process to join, roles available, help and resources available, and delve into how candidates are assessed during Selection.

SOCOMD is looking for high calibre individuals who ready to play a part in cutting-edge warfare now, and into the future. Could it be you?

Find out More: Special Forces Operator - ADF Careers

In this thought-provoking episode of The Cove Podcast, we sit down with Deputy Chief of Army, MAJGEN Chris Smith, to discuss what war would look like and the vital role of human decision-making in military operations.

MAJGEN Chris Smith challenges the notion that technology and machine learning will replace the instincts and experiences of commanders. Drawing on historical examples like the Battle of Crete during WWII, he argues that while information is crucial, it is action—and the ability to make sound decisions under pressure—that ultimately wins battles. The human element, particularly the experience of the commander, remains central to success on the battlefield.

MAJGEN Chris Smith also reflects on the importance of a broad range of experiences in developing effective military leaders, comparing the honing of war-fighting skills to perfecting a golf swing. Whether through direct experience or by studying the decisions of past commanders, the development of critical thinking and decision-making abilities is essential. Where experience cannot be built in combat operations, many great commanders have built experience vicariously through reading about how commanders make decisions when the stakes were high.

We delve into the Decision Making and Planning Process, exploring how this framework helps commanders navigate complex and high-stakes situations. The Decision Making and Planning Process returns art and judgement back to the planning team and brings the commander to the forefront of the decision making process.

Join us for an insightful conversation about leadership, decision-making, and the future of warfare with one of the Australian Army's most senior and involved leaders.

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 commanding entire battalion groups while in their twenties. We reflect on how the unique demands of the Pacific campaign played a role in this change and how younger leaders were thrust into positions of responsibility during a time of all-out-war. Additionally, LTCOL Young takes us through a pivotal moment in Australian political history: the 1938 vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Joseph Lyons. In response, Menzies outlined his government’s significant achievements in preparing Australia for the impending war, underscoring the extraordinary demands placed on both political and military leadership at the time. Tune in for a deep dive into the intersection of age, leadership, and resilience in wartime, as we look at how the realities of large-scale conflict demand more than ever from the soldiers and officers that fight in it.

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. Throughout the episode, he also highlights his recent experiences in fitness competitions, showcasing the drive and dedication that has fuelled his journey to one-star. This episode offers invaluable lessons on discipline, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

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 contested amphibious operations.

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 training capacity for larger throughput using institutions like Scheyville, Portsea and multiple Recruit Training Battalions.