Security Challenges Journal

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Debate: The ADF and Operational Art

Contributors: Jim Molan, Ray Funnell, Chris Barrie, Ross Thomas, and Michael Evans

Volume 4, Number 2 (Winter 2008), pp. 133-146.

Abstract

This debate contains responses to Michael Evans, ‘The Closing of the Australian Military Mind: The ADF and Operational Art’, Security Challenges, vol. 4, no. 2 (Winter 2008), pp. 103-129.

About the Contributors

Major General A.J. Molan AO DSC, has spent over 40 years in the ADF, 13 of them as a one or two star general. He retired from the ADF in mid-2008 after extensive experience at the tactical and operational levels, in peace and war. HarperCollins will publish his book Running the War in Iraq in July 2008. jim.molan@defence.gov.au.

Air Marshal Ray Funnell (retd) served in the Royal Australian Air Force until 1992, the last five years as Chief of the Air Staff. He brought into being the College of Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS), of which he was Principal from 1994-98. rayf@netspeed.com.au.

Admiral Chris Barrie (retd) was Chief of the Australian Defence Force from 1998 to 2002, and is now a Visiting Fellow at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre of the Australian National University. cbarrie@ozemail.com.au.

Ross Thomas is a former public servant who left the Australian Public Service in 2000 after 34 years with the Department of Defence. His career in the Defence Organisation was mainly in strategic and international policy and in intelligence. His final appointments were as Deputy Director of the Defence Intelligence Organisation (1993-96) and later as Director of Studies at the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies (1996-98), and the Australian Defence College (1999-2000). ross_thomas@optusnet.com.au.

Dr Michael Evans is the Australian Defence College Fellow and author of the article ‘The Closing of the Australian Military Mind: The ADF and Operational Art’ that is the topic of this debate. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official views of either the Australian Defence College or the Department of Defence. drme@ozemail.com.au.