The Cove Podcast
The Cove
The Cove Podcast brings you candid, unfiltered conversations with the leaders, soldiers, and scholars shaping the Australian Army today. Each week, our host CAPT Todd Lempa sits down with uniformed officers and soldiers leading the change in the Australian Army as well as academics and international partners to unpack what modern warfare demands.
From redefining leadership and resilience in the modern Army to exploring lessons from combat operations, command culture, human performance, and the future of land power, The Cove Podcast reveals how the Australian Army thinks, learns, and fights. Whether it’s a Regimental Sergeant Major reflecting on combat, a general discussing Warrior Culture, or a psychologist unpacking mental readiness—each episode delivers a grounded look at the people and ideas driving the Australian Army forward.
Insightful, grounded, and authentic — this is where the Australian Army thinks out loud.
From redefining leadership and resilience in the modern Army to exploring lessons from combat operations, command culture, human performance, and the future of land power, The Cove Podcast reveals how the Australian Army thinks, learns, and fights. Whether it’s a Regimental Sergeant Major reflecting on combat, a general discussing Warrior Culture, or a psychologist unpacking mental readiness—each episode delivers a grounded look at the people and ideas driving the Australian Army forward.
Insightful, grounded, and authentic — this is where the Australian Army thinks out loud.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 22, 2017 • 19min
Amphibious Series: Episode 3 - Using the Amphibious Capability to contribute to Contemporary Operations with Lieutenant Colonel Doug Pashley
In this episode, Lieutenant Colonel Doug Pashley Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment discusses: How the Australian Army is using its amphibious capability to contribute to contemporary operations; what opportunities does an amphibious capability offer commanders; lessons learned about conducting amphibious operations on Exercise Talisman Sabre and other unit experiences; the importance of junior leadership; the importance of communications architecture and the orchestration of effects.
Nov 22, 2017 • 18min
Amphibious Series: Episode 2 - The Unit at the heart of Army’s Amphibious Capability with Warrant Officer Trent Morris
In this episode, Warrant Officer Class One Trent Morris Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment discusses: How 2 RAR’s structure supports amphibious operations; the development of the pre-landing force; unique challenges with the unit’s composition; the importance of robust Standing Operating Procedures, challenges of working in the Joint space, balancing multiple chains of command and transitioning to direct command under the 1st Divisio
Oct 10, 2017 • 14min
Amphibious Series: Episode 1 - Defining Australian Amphibious Capability with Captain Samuel McKenzie
In this episode, Captain Samuel McKenzie from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment discusses: the definition of amphibious capability; what we need to know about amphibious operation; the littoral environment; how the relationship works between the Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF – Navy) and the Commander Landing Force (CLF – Army) and Australia’s amphibious platforms.
Oct 10, 2017 • 14min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 16 - Colonel Richard Vagg - Final Episode
ADF on operations - In this final episode, Colonel Richard Vagg looks back on what has been achieved as the men and women of Task Group Taji IV complete their mission and prepare to return home.
Oct 10, 2017 • 8min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 15 - Reflections On Taji
ADF on operations - In episode fifteen, members of the Task Group reflect on their deployment experiences as they prepare to return to Australia.
Oct 10, 2017 • 11min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 14 - A Visit To The Anzac Hospital
ADF on operations - In episode fourteen, we visit the Anzac hospital at the Taji Military Complex to meet some of the medical specialists from the full-time Army and the Army Reserve delivering healthcare to the Task Group.
Oct 10, 2017 • 11min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 13 - Major Brian Hickey
ADF on operations - In episode thirteen, we meet Major Brian Hickey, the Officer Commanding Task Group Taji IV’s ‘Advise and Assist’ unit. His team is on a mission to support Northern Baghdad Operations Command to prevent terrorist attacks and secure northern approaches to Baghdad.
Oct 10, 2017 • 9min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 12 - Sergeant Peter Papalia
ADF on operations - In episode twelve, we meet Sergeant Peter Papalia who is delivering training to Iraqi Security Forces at the Taji Military Complex just north of Baghdad.
Oct 10, 2017 • 10min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 11 - Captain Isabelle Cowley
ADF on operations - In episode eleven, we meet Captain Isabelle Cowley who tells us about the training delivered to Iraqi police at the Taji Military Complex just north of Baghdad.
Oct 10, 2017 • 11min
Our Stories: Series 2 Episode 10 - Craftsman Adrianna Rogers
Task Group Taji is a combined force of Australian and New Zealand Defence Force personnel that first deployed to Iraq in May 2015 at the request of the Iraqi Government. In series two, we follow the members of Task Group Taji IV as they complete their six-month deployment in Iraq. In episode ten, we meet Craftsman Adrianna Rogers who tells us about her job as a heavy diesel mechanic in support of the mission.
