The newest podcast series on Cove Community, is Live, Laugh, Lead. Presented by two current serving Army officers, Todd and Jake, they discuss their experiences and share their stories, examining the lessons they've learnt and answer some age-old questions about what it is actually like being an Army Officer. Check out our latest episodes on Spotify or Apple Podcasts today!

Episode 1

On their first episode of Live, Laugh, Lead, Todd & Jake explain why they started the podcast and what it is all about. They tell stories of capturing their commanding officer, explain what it takes (or doesn't take) to become an Australian Army officer, fumble their way through explaining how to command Australian soldiers and Jake explains how he microwaved sand for his 'academic thesis'.

Episode 2

On their second episode, Jake and Todd shock the world by actually committing to making and recording a second episode. Jake walks us through his exchange to the Japanese National Defence Force Academy; his debut international misrepresentational duty. We discuss the purpose of the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), how it sets a solid foundation for working in a joint environment, and stumble across countless old stories drenched in rosy retrospection.

Episode 3

On this week's episode we present our first guest, Ben. Ben is an Armoured Corps officer who talks about what his first year as a cavalry troop commander looked like and why he chose Armoured Corps. Irredisregardless of whether we asked him to or not, he gives his opinions on the new armoured vehicles, the rank-relationship between officers and soldiers and 'likership versus leadership'. Ben juxtaposes his most rewarding moments in Army against his current battle finding his purpose in an Army without the opportunity for warlike operations and we ask him whether he would do it all over again.

Episode 4

As aircraft fly overhead and hats are thrown in the air, sentiments amongst the ADFA graduate body differ slightly: Air Force cadets look forward to being able to annoy their peers even more by demanding salutes as pilot officers, Navy Midshipmen are returned the commission that was stripped from them upon commencement of ADFA, and Army members prepare themselves for their march ‘over the hill’. In this episode we discuss the transition from ADFA to the Royal Military College and the culture shock that lies in wait for prospective Army officers.

Episode 5

After a heavy year of Type 2 and Type 3 fun*, Staff Cadets suddenly find themselves rocketed up the hierarchy to the staggering heights of Lieutenant and enter a mysterious world where non-commissioned officers suddenly start using honorifics and these so-called Lieutenants are finally permitted to step foot in the Officers’ Mess (gasp…). Tune in to hear about the back half of the Royal Military College, and what lies at the end of the long march to earning a commission.

*Fun Types: Type 1 – Fun at the time & fun in retrospect; Type 2 – Not fun at the time but fun in retrospect; Type 3 – Not fun at any stage.

Episode 6

‘The lesson of this story is, don’t give Australian’s fireworks for the first time overseas.’ Jake and Todd lift the mood considerable after graduating Duntroon by lamenting on the amazing overseas trips available to those that have little responsibility and way too much leave.

Episode 7

‘There has been a mistake here, I am basically going to be an OC in less than twelve months. I am not meant to be doing the basic course with lieutenants.’ Todd and Jake talk through diving into their first Army training since RMC, their Officer Basic Courses to train them in their specific jobs.

Episode 8

‘This is where the hard times inspire some really good ideas.’ In this episode, Todd and Jake depart from the chronological order of officer progression and describe some of the legends of the training institutions that they have spent so many years in.

Episode 9

‘Will I need my helmet for this sir?’ In this episode, our guest Shetty recounts his foundational experiences as an Artillery Officer. A mechanical engineer by ‘trade’, Shetty chose artillery because ‘he watched something blow up in the distance’ and that was enough to get him into the corps which says far more about our guest than the corps itself.

Episode 10

‘I talked to a few people, and that was the worst exercise they had ever done in their lives.’ In this episode, Todd and Jake delve into the depths of Mount Bundey Training Area and Townsville Field Training Area to tell stories about what happens when you run on 8 hours of water and 2 litres of sleep. Some field exercises are well-planned, some are not, and this episode has a heavy right foot towards telling stories of the latter.

Episode 11

‘Anything south of the 5 RAR wash point is Choccos.’ In this episode, Todd and Jake talk you through what to do when you receive a posting order to one of the two northern combat brigades. The Army’s 3rd Brigade is on Lavarack Barracks in Townsville QLD while the Army’s 1st Brigade is on Robertson Barracks in Darwin NT. There are several other brigades and minor units that are also in these two locations. This episode is centred on what both locations offer but more importantly where you should live when you post in.

Episode 12

‘As funny as this is, the OC is not going to find this funny ...’ This episode is centred on the relationship between junior officers and senior soldiers, a confusing relationship to first negotiate fraught with danger and social faux pas. Jake describes his first interaction with his Squadron Sergeant Major (SSM) as a newly minted lieutenant where Jake confusingly admits to being absent without leave and sends his new chain of command into an absolute spin.

Episode 13

‘Where there is smoke, there is fire.’ In this episode, Zac who is a current serving Adjutant in an artillery regiment joins us to talk through what an Adjutant does and what their expectations of new junior officers is. We talk through demi-official letters of introduction, meeting the Adjutant and Commanding Officer for the first time and how high or low the expectations on lieutenants are.

Episode 14

‘We actually had a flea infestation, which really put the icing on the cake.’ In this episode, Todd and Jake talk through their experiences in the privilege of their first platoon and troop command. Many argue that one of the best things that you can be afforded is legal responsibility over a large group of people and that you should cherish that privilege because it is fleeting. This episode is about how we cherished our command.

Episode 15

‘Just remember, the tactics don’t matter ...’ In this episode, Todd and Jake discuss returning to their first residential course since their Officer Basic Courses to be given all the skills, knowledge, attributes and behaviours to be employed as all-corps captains. The first posting as a three-pip is likely to be as an operations captain, sub-unit second-in-charge or an adjutant and this is the course that completely prepares you.