Biography

Great video highlighting the value of maintaining Indo-Pacific partnerships and a rules-based order.

This is helpful to hear contemporary leaders’ commentary overlaid on historical video

Great video. Sure, we have the senior officers for many divisions, but not the soldiers needed for LSCOs. Perhaps a start is to flatten our HQ obsessed Army and get more people into our 2.5 combat brigades. Why do most ops/activities have more pers in the HQs than in tactical units? Best we stop pretending that a formation with a single battalion is a combat brigade – sure it may be tasked like a brigade but flogging what is a battalion + just burns teams out and increases the race to discharge. Our most expensive division equivalent is likely in the ACT region, yet the DSR missed the chance to restructure Army into a more agile force with more people/people costs directed into the areas we need them most (unless the aim is LTCOLs as section commanders). Words have meaning – the comment “diggers really matter” is at odds to how we manage people and balance the force. Look at the weasel words Army contract “I'm an Australian soldier who is an expert in close combat” – its doubful 20% can fulfil this claim – we should be paying those that can deliver outcomes needed for LCSOs a premium to keep them. The tail wags the dog!

Fantastic video and very insightful into the challenges facing higher command within our region.

Great perspective by an Allied Nation on its approach to large scale operations

Great video. Thank you

Very interesting video and perspectives, interested to see how this pans out over the next 12 - 24 months.

This discussion on Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) rightly underscores the important progress the Australian Defence Force is making in adapting to future challenges. Embracing a multinational perspective is essential, as coalition operations will be central to tomorrow’s conflicts. General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith’s observation that LSCO involves preparing for “large-scale, high-intensity conflict against peer adversaries” highlights why integrated joint operations across multiple domains are critical.
Given the shifting security landscape and emerging threats in the Indo-Pacific region, the ADF’s approach to LSCO must continue to evolve—balancing traditional combat readiness with the complexities of hybrid warfare, cyber threats, and contested maritime domains. The ADF’s alignment with allied efforts, emphasizing alliance cohesion and interoperability, demonstrates a strong and forward-thinking commitment to regional and global security.
One potential area to further strengthen Australia’s LSCO readiness could be increased investment in joint training exercises with allied forces, ensuring even greater interoperability and shared operational understanding before any real-world deployment.

Thanks Sir for the realistic introduction to the physical/ mental/ spiritual challenges and potential scope of Large Scale Combat Operations. This is very helpful background to the why of BDE and DIV exercises.