A big thank you to everyone who submitted entries this year. There was a wide range of topics, styles, messages and reflections across all the entries. Keep a close eye on The Cove this week because every day a submission from each category will be published in reverse placing order. Once winners are announced many of the other submissions that didn't place will be released on The Cove over coming weeks and published in the Tips for Key Appointments feature.

About the Cove Competition 2022

This year, authors were invited to submit short written pieces (500-1500 words) on the topic 'Reflections on Key Appointments'. Through this, we gained the insight of our experienced officers and soldiers for others about to take up such appointments in the future.

The Cove Team assessed all entries and provided a shortlist to our judges, who selected the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from each category, officers and soldiers.

Thank you to all contributors, it was a tough field this year for our judges with many competitive entries, but ultimately a few submissions stood out.

Winners – Soldier Category

3rd Place: WO1 Joshua Mattsson – 'Reflections of a First Appointment RSM'

2nd Place: WO1 Damien Woolfe – 'Reflections on Key Appointments – Regimental Sergeant Major'

1st Place: LCPL John Wellfare – 'Five Rules for Digger Life'

Winners – Officer Category

3rd Place: LTCOL Chris Johnson – 'The Commanding Officer'

2nd Place: LTCOL Pete Allan – 'Reflections on Unit Command'

1st Place: MAJ Aaron Newfield – 'Train Sets and Command – Mind the Gap'

Prizes

These authors receive an excellent prize pack from our prize pool. They have won:

• 1st Place: $200 book voucher + Cove Trophy + 2022 Cove Coin + Cove Swag pack
• 2nd Place: $150 book voucher + 2022 Cove Coin + Cove Swag pack
• 3rd Place: $100 book voucher + 2022 Cove Coin + Cove Swag pack

Acknowledgements

Thank you to all who submitted to Cove Competition 2022! We received so many high-quality submissions this year, so in the coming weeks all articles will be published. Keep checking The Cove for more insightful reflections from our officers and soldiers.

A special thank you to our panel of experienced judges. Meet them here:

	Major General Steve Day, DSC, AM  MAJGEN Day is head of ADF Leadership Projects.
	Colonel Anita Rynne COL Rynne is the Director of Army Education and Learning Systems.
	Major Mark Beretta, OAM MAJ Beretta is a Reservist PAO working for AHQ, and a well-known media presenter.
	Warrant Officer Class One Darren Murch, OAM WO1 Murch is appointed as the Command Sergeant Major of Forces Command and Cove frequent contributor.