Thought provoking Archives - CONTACT magazine

Australian Army recruits in training at 1st Training Battalion, Kapooka, NSW. 1RTB photo.

Rebuilding Australia through improving Defence preparedness

27/04/2025 WGCDR Wayne (Noddy) Parsons, RAAF Retd 628 Views 0 Comments

Professor Geoffrey Blainey posits Australia was better prepared to help confront the challenge facing the Empire in 1914 at the

Figure 1. A racing drone used by the Air Force Drone Racing Association

Thought provoking

The Weaponisation of Toys and Implications for the Air Force

25/10/2024 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1403 Views 0 Comments

The Weaponisation of Toys and Implications for the Air Force Ryan Hodson Australian Defence Force The ‘poor man’s air force‘

Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel conduct an urban assault, as part of the Platoon and Company Sergeants Battle Course run by Australian Army soldiers deployed on Operation Kudu in the United Kingdom, March 2024. Image has been digitally altered for security purposes.

Thought provoking

Offer of soup for Ukrainian trainees

15/04/2024 Gregory Jarosch 1248 Views 0 Comments Operation Kudu

Dear Folks. Does anyone have contacts in or with the Operation Kudu folk in the UK (see below reference) or

Soldiers and officers of the 3RAR Battlegroup stand ready on parade after an equipment inspection at Lavarack Barracks on 27 August 2020. Photo by Corporal Daniel Strutt.

Thought provoking

Australian Army bases need to be strategically located

02/11/2023 Brian Hastie 1363 Views 1 Comment

Strategically locating army basеs in a country as vast as Australia involves a complеx process that considers several factors, including

Sergeant Andrew Summers in front of a F-35A Lightning II at 2 Operational Conversion Unit, RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW. Story by Squadron Leader Bruce Chalmers. Photo by Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing Thought provoking

Breaking the stigma of PTSD

10/10/202328/10/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1251 Views 0 Comments No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit, PTSD, RAAF Williamtown, World Mental Health Day

Sergeant Andrew Summers, of 2 Operational Conversion Unit at RAAF Base Williamtown in NSW, is an example of how proactive

Cyber warfare analyst Leading Aircraftman Netani Tukana and cyber warfare officer Squadron Leader James Haddy from No. 462 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

CONTACT BLOG SPOT Thought provoking

Why Defence needs to think more like a startup

03/08/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 9618 Views 0 Comments WithYouWithMe

By Mark Fortugno, WithYouWithMe This year has taught us that we cannot be complacent in funding our defence sectors—one need

Lest We Forget Thought provoking

Why are RSL clubs privately owned and no longer support veterans?

21/03/202321/03/2023 Andrew Brandon 4089 Views 4 Comments RSL

The above question – or questions – was asked by a CONTACT fan. But let’s break it down… Are RSL

Trooper Jakob West from Rifle Company Butterworth Rotation 137 fights through the final objective, covering arduous terrain through dense jungle. Story by Captain Diana Jennings. All photos by Bombardier Guy Sadler.

Poets Corner Thought provoking

Acrostic Fire & Movement

19/03/202319/03/2023 Mick Shave 4848 Views 1 Comment By Michael Shave

An Acrostic to do With Minor Tactics And some advice. Fighting needs a certain care, Its conduct ruled by those

Thought provoking Veterans

Brothers

02/01/202302/01/2023 Barry Zworestine 2012 Views 0 Comments By Barry Zworestine

Brothers Side by side They sat on the bench One fresh from war The other, weary and aged from

Converted Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles bound for Ukraine are loaded onto a C-17A Globemaster III aircraft at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Captain Mike Edwards. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Czerny.

Thought provoking

ADF Equipment Reserve

25/05/202225/05/2022 Peter Rewko 2973 Views 0 Comments By Peter Rewko

I am a retired member of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), a history buff and a strong supporter of Australian

Thought provoking

Ukraine’s Department of Military Training turns 95

13/03/202213/03/2022 Gregory Jarosch 2475 Views 0 Comments

In solidarity with current Ukrainians fighting for their independence, following article is poignant. STORY BY: O.O. Tsarenok, reserve colonel, head

Corporal James Cunningham and Corporal Karl Fabreschi (kneeling) clear the range of 'enemy' activity during the combat shooting skills training activity at Majura training area outside Canberra. Photo by Corporal Nunu Campos.

Thought provoking

A Good War?

01/08/202101/08/2021 Michael McNamara 1987 Views 0 Comments By Michael McNamara

I am that most embarrassing phenomena, an Australian Infantryman who didn’t see active service. I was inculcated at 17, but nothing happened.

Thought provoking

Book Review – Semut by Christine Helliwell

30/06/2021 Rick Moor 2282 Views 0 Comments

One of the ongoing ironies of war is that it has been and remains a catalyst for great literature. Semut

Thought provoking

IT’S TIME FOR OUR ELECTED CAESAR TO ACT

26/05/202127/05/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2930 Views 0 Comments By George Mansford

Like many Australians, I have great empathy for COs, their officers and NCOs slowly being stripped of authority, smothered by Canberra.

Photo by Leading Aircraftman Aaron Curran

Thought provoking

Anti-ADF Sentiment – Echoes of The Past

12/04/2021 Luke Ross 2595 Views 4 Comments

We are entering a new era of defence bashing – society may be on a path that we have seen before that lead to negative impacts for defence.

Kay Danes with fellow speaker Alan Jones and her husband, former SAS Warrant Officer Kerry Danes. Photo supplied.

Health and Wellbeing Thought provoking

Stand tall for ADF PTS reform

06/01/202106/01/2021 Dr Kay Danes, OAM 2299 Views 0 Comments

The following is a keynote address given by Dr Kay Danes at the launch of a ‘Stand Tall for PTS’

A RAAF P-8A Poseidon supports sea trials for NUSHIP (now HMAS) Hobart in the Gulf St Vincent off the coast of Adelaide. Photo by Corporal Craig Barrett.

Royal Australian Air Force Thought provoking Videos

What we don’t know about P-8A Poseidon is somehow comforting

06/01/202106/01/2021 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4285 Views 1 Comment

The government recently announced that it was buying two extra P-8A Poseidon long-range, armed, maritime search, reconnaissance (and attack) aircraft

Thought provoking

War crimes and the sanctity of the rule of law – PART II

17/12/202014/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2669 Views 0 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

Part II of a two-part essay titled War crimes and the sanctity of the rule of law – the trial of

Thought provoking

War crimes and the sanctity of the rule of law – PART I

14/12/202017/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3111 Views 0 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

Hereafter follows Part I of a two-part essay titled War crimes and the sanctity of the rule of law – the

Australian Australian Army Thought provoking Veterans

OPINION: PM complicit in attack on the ‘meritorious many’

08/12/202012/12/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 7922 Views 10 Comments IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry

I am not an alarmist by nature; but I am a proud Australian veteran with 16 years of service including

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