Duty First

The Royal Australian Regiment has evolved over the past 75 years with improvements in technology, equipment and structure, but one thing remains the same: Duty First. In this episode, we'll hear from the wider RAR family including RAR Foundation and support systems for veterans, family support, and what the future holds for the RAR. Featured interviews:  Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley (nee M...

After the peacekeeping missions of the 1990s, the RAR experienced an unprecedented period of operational service, most notably in Iraq and Afghanstan in what would become the Regiment's longest ever war. Featured interviews: Lieutenant General David Lindsay Morrison AO, the Chief of Australian Army - 2RAR, 8/9RAR Daniel (Dan) Keighran VC - 2RAR, 6RAR Episode cover image : Defence image assets...

After seven long years in Vietnam, the Regiment went through an unprecedented period of peace, however this was all about to change as the international peacekeeping missions in Somalia, Rwanda and East Timor in the 1990s. Featured interviews: General Sir Peter John Cosgrove, AK, CVO, MC - 9RAR, 1RAR His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwea...

After a bloody start to the Vietnam War, the RAR’s tour continues as the shadow of Long Tan looms large. Featured interviews: General Sir Peter John Cosgrove, AK, CVO, MC - 9RAR, 1RAR MAJGEN Brian Howard AO, MC, ESM (retd) - 3RAR, PIR Francis Peter (Peter) SCOTT DSO, MID - 3RAR Episode cover image : During Operation Smithfield troops moving off in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) of 1 APC Squadr...

After serving valiantly in the jungles of Malaya and Malaysia, the Royal Australian Regiment is about to face it’s toughest and bloodiest test - The Vietnam War. Join us for part one, detailing the start of the war and how the men of 6RAR fought The Battle of Long Tan. Featured interviews: Dave Sabben - 6RAR Mike von Berg OAM - 1 & 5 RAR, SASR, 2 CDO COY LTCOL Edward Chitham MC, OAM (retd) aka...

After the Korean War, the battalion is growing and set for a new challenge in the Malayan Emergency and the Indonesian Confrontation. Join us as we discover a period of history that would serve as a warm-up for the kind of jungle fighting the regiment would later experience in Vietnam. Featured interviews: Wallace Thompson (Wally) - 4 RAR, AATTV BRIG George Mansford (Snow) AM (retd) - 2RAR LTCOL B...

The Korean War may not be as well-known as other conflicts in the RAR's history, but it was a pivotal moment for Australian soldiers in establishing the culture, role and prestige of the RAR. Featured interviews: Major General Alan Lindsay "Alby" Morrison, AO, DSO, MBE (2RAR, 3RAR, 9RAR) James 'Blue' Newell (3RAR) Ronald 'Ron' Perkins (3RAR) Episode cover image :...

The RAR rises from the ashes of the Second World War to become Australia’s first ever professionalised infantry force. We’ll hear from soldiers who were on the ground during the occupation of Japan in 1946 as the RAR and its purpose came into view, meeting challenges of its time, and preparing to head into the RAR’s first theatre of war in the Korean War. Interviews: His Excellency General the Hon...

This is Duty First, a podcast about the history of the Royal Australian Regiment (RAR). Bare witness as the regiment rises from the ashes of the Second World War to become Australia’s first ever professionalised infantry force. Told by members of the regiment who were there,  enter a world where courage takes centre stage and history comes alive. Episodes of Duty First will be released fortnightly...