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 26, 2016 • 7min
Episode 23 - Elite Athlete - Private Kate Lutkins
There are similarities between sport and military life, such as teamwork, respect, physical training and competition. The Army has recently had three of its members drafted into the inaugural AFL Women's League. Major Mick Cook spoke with Private Kate Lutkins about her selection and future in the Army as an elite athlete.
Nov 19, 2016 • 7min
Episode 22 - Elite Athlete - Lieutenant Clare Lawton
Can you balance military service with an active sporting life? What happens if you are selected to play in the AFL and you are a serving Army member? Major Mick Cook met with Lieutenant Clare Lawton, a draftee for the inaugural AFL Women's League in 2017, to discuss these questions and more.
Nov 12, 2016 • 8min
Episode 21 - Royal Military College - Staff Cadet Luke Hughes
What is it like to train for four years to become an Australian Army Officer? What is the difference between life at the Australian Defence Force Academy and life at the Royal Military College - Duntroon? What hope do these officer trainees at the college have for the future? Major Mick Cook sat down with Staff Cadet Luke Hughes to discuss these questions and more.
Nov 5, 2016 • 8min
Episode 20 - Royal Military College - Staff Cadet Alice Brabazon
What makes someone choose to be an officer in the Australian Army? What is life like for trainee officers at the Royal Military College - Duntroon? Major Mick Cook sat down with Staff Cadet Alice Brabazon to discuss these questions and more.
Oct 29, 2016 • 12min
Episode 19 - Exercise Hamel - Warrant Officer Class 2 Luke Burgess
How does the Australian Army assess the decisions made and actions taken during an exercise? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses this question, and others, with Warrant Officer Class 2 Luke Burgess, a tactical analyst from the Combat Training Centre.
Oct 22, 2016 • 10min
Episode 18 - Exercise Hamel - Lieutenant Colonel Ruth Perry
How does the Army incorporate the lessons it learns in the field into what is taught in its training institutions? How is are the best practices learnt through experience developed to provide new soldiers and officers with the training they need? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare spoke with the Commanding Officer of the Army School of Logistic Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Ruth Perry, to answer these questions.
Oct 15, 2016 • 9min
Episode 17 - Exercise Hamel - Major Derek Hayles
How do you build a realistic environment for a modern military exercise? What is required to make the scenarios match reality? Major Derek Hayles explains how his team ensured Exercise Hamel was a reflection of what the modern soldier may face in the contemporary operating environment.
Oct 8, 2016 • 10min
Episode 16 - Exercise Hamel - Brigadier Paul Nothard
What does it take to supply an Army in the field? How are essential service, such as medical support provided to the men and women in combat? Brigadier Paul Nothard explains what his brigade, the 17th Combat Service Support Brigade, contributes to the army during activities such as exercise Hamel.
Oct 1, 2016 • 10min
Episode 15 - Exercise Hamel - Brigade Maintenance Area
How do you keep a combat brigade on the move? In this episode Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare interviews some of the men and women who support the logistical operations of the combat brigade in the Brigade Maintenance Area. The Brigade Maintenance Area is the first line of supply, maintenance and medical support for the combat brigade.
Sep 24, 2016 • 11min
Episode 14 - Exercise Hamel - Brigadier Tony Rawlins
How does the Australian Army provide a realistic 'enemy' for exercises such as Exercise Hamel? Captain Sharon Mascall-Dare discusses this question, and others, with the commander of the 7th Brigade, Brigadier Tony Rawlins.
