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In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie sits down with Major General Rose King, Chief of the New Zealand Army and the first woman to lead a military service in New Zealand. With a career spanning more than three decades, Major General King shares the experiences and lessons that have shaped her leadership philosophy — from her early days trying to blend in as "the grey man," to the...

Dr Lucas Marie speaks with international relations scholar and host of Australia in the World, Dr Darren Lim, about how Defence leaders can make sense of a complex strategic environment. Drawing on debates about China, the conflict in Iran and Australia’s alliance with the United States, Lim explores how to question assumptions, test ideas and remain open to changing one’s mind. The conversation e...

Artificial intelligence and data analytics are changing how military forces understand, influence and act within the information environment. This article examines how AI can turn vast quantities of data into strategic advantage, from predictive analysis and data fusion to cyber operations, psychological influence and countering misinformation. It also considers the risks accompanying these capabi...

The Australian Defence Force needs thousands of new recruits each year, yet the pool it can realistically draw from is far smaller than Australia’s population figures suggest. This article examines how health, education, criminality and other national characteristics combine with ADF selection requirements to leave fewer than half of 17–24-year-olds eligible to serve. Once willingness to join is a...

What role could memes play in the future of warfare, and what does that mean for the Australian Defence Force? This article explores the evolution of memetic warfare and examines how memes, narratives and ideas can shape behaviour, influence decision-making and contest the information environment. Drawing on the Russia–Ukraine war and the emergence of online civic resistance groups such as NAFO, i...

Dr Lucas Marie sits down with TX Hammes, a distinguished fellow at the National Defence University's Institute for National Strategic Studies and a 30-year United States Marine Corps veteran with operations in Somalia and Iraq. TX is a leader in his field as one of the most respected voices on the future of warfare, military strategy, and insurgency. He holds a doctorate in modern history from the...

In this season-opening episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Ken Robertson, the inaugural Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the Defence Force. Drawing on more than 30 years of service, Robertson discusses the role of influence in leadership, the value of trusted relationships, and how the voice of the enlisted workforce helps inform strategic decision-mak...

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Rear Admiral James Lybrand, Commander of the Australian Defence College, whose naval career spans from the submarine force to senior strategic leadership roles. Drawing on decades of operational and educational experience, Rear Admiral Lybrand shares his journey from leading underwater warfare operations to shaping Defence’s profes...

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Warrant Officer Dave Ashley, whose Australian Army career spans more than 40 years — including service in South-East Asia, East Timor (Timor-Leste), and Afghanistan. A former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Army, Dave shares candid reflections on leadership across tactical, operational, and strategic levels, emphasising the human...

In Part Two of this Lives in Leadership conversation, Major General Andrew Hocking joins Dr Lucas Marie to discuss organisational learning, national preparedness, and the role of social science in Defence. Drawing on his Vanguard paper, Preparing for the Future: Key Organisational Lessons from the Afghanistan Campaign, Major General Hocking reflects on the courage it takes for institutions to lear...

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Major General Andrew Hocking about the personal and professional lessons learned from a distinguished career spanning military command, national disaster recovery, and senior leadership across government. Drawing on experiences from Afghanistan to the 2019–20 bushfires, Major General Hocking discusses the enduring importance of ada...

In the second part of his discussion with Brigadier John Fenwick, Professor David Whetham delves into the evolving landscape of ethics and leadership in Defence. The conversation spans ethical dilemmas in training, moral reasoning under pressure, and the integration of ethical principles into AI design and operational practice. Professor Whetham also introduces the concept of “reasonable challenge...

In the first part of this two-part Lives in Leadership episode, Brigadier John Fenwick speaks with Professor David Whetham, Director of the King's Centre for Military Ethics at King’s College London. Together they explore the growth of military ethics as a discipline, the practical and cultural drivers behind its rise, and how ethical education shapes leadership in modern armed forces. Professor W...

From the depths of a Royal Navy submarine to the complexities of defence transformation, Rear Admiral Paul Halton has built a career leading people and organisations through uncertainty. In this episode of Lives in Leadership, he speaks with Dr Lucas Marie about: • Rebuilding trust and confidence in teams facing cultural decline • Balancing agility and discipline in long-term strategic programs •...

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie sits down with Dr Florence Gaub — Director of the Research Division at the NATO Defense College, futurist, and global security thinker — to explore the intersection of technology, strategy, and human judgment in defence. Dr Gaub challenges the idea that artificial intelligence is a true revolution in warfare, arguing instead that conflict rema...

In this episode of Lives in Leadership, Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Air Vice-Marshal Steven “Zed” Roberton, Distinguished Service Cross, about his remarkable journey through three decades of command in the Royal Australian Air Force and beyond. From leading Operation Okra—the largest RAAF deployment since Vietnam—to navigating multinational coalition dynamics and later entering the private sector,...

In this Episode Dr Lucas Marie speaks with Doctor Leigh Ann Perry, an associate professor of psychology and behavioral science at the US Naval War College. She is a leading expert in the application of positive psychology for military leadership development. Dr Perry's work focuses on the area of wellbeing, resilience and mindfulness.

Rear Admiral Lee Goddard shares candid lessons from 34 years in the Navy and beyond. From commanding warships to shaping defence policy, he reflects on leadership, high-performing teams, and the importance of knowing your people.

A new Senior Enlisted capability is emerging with a burgeoning form of influence-based leadership that embraces diversity and that can rapidly mobilise a workforce.

Trying to understand the abstruse messages of Carl von Clausewitz’s On War can be both mind-numbing and mind-blowing. However, interpretation is the key to unpacking his obsession with the ‘centre of gravity’ as being critical to how forces generate strength.

This paper will examine some of the cultural differences between uniformed military personnel and APS staff.

Explore the legality of war in our final series instalment. Delve into the complex interplay between international law, military ethics, and the principles guiding the use of force. From 'Just War Theory' to modern legal frameworks, understand the intricate balance of morality, authority, and legality in warfare.

Since the enhanced trilateral security partnership of 16 September 2021, the Australian Government has considered its strategic environment to have permanently changed.

Every major power is investing in the development of Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. 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.

The 16th and 17th century was a period of significant change in the character of war. The drivers accounting for these changes were not all based in military reforms, despite Western Europe being engaged almost continuously in war. While tactical applications is interesting, it was the beginnings of some profound changes in the development of warfare; the professional military, the standing army,...