Occasional Papers
Occasional papers - or monographs - are papers that provide insight into an aspect of land warfare. They provide the reader with an in-depth understanding of the character of an aspect of human conflict.
Aiding the Civil Authority: the potential for a broader Army role in domestic counter-terrorismThis paper examines what a bigger role for Army in domestic CT response could actually look like. Given the current threat environment, what might a terrorist incident requiring an Army response look like? What types of activities may Army need to perform to assist Australian governments to deter/prevent, respond to or recover from a terrorist attack? Furthermore, what could be some of the impl...
Rapid Intervention and Conflict Resolution: British Military Intervention in Sierra Leone 2000-2002The British operation in Sierra Leone is regarded as a rare success for Western military intervention. In the popular narrative, British paratroopers deployed to Freetown over a weekend and, through a mix of professionalism, organisation and chutzpah, ‘[saved] the UN from disaster and [hastened] the end of an exceptionally nasty war.’
Pre-Landing Operations: Getting Old Tasks Done in an Age of TransparencyAmphibious warfare has always been an ever-escalating race of strategy and technological ‘besting’. Dr Al Palazzo’s latest paper covers the crucial role of pre-landing plans and operations to winning this race
The Worst of Both Worlds: An analysis of urban littoral combatThis is a paper about fighting in cities on coastlines – the contemporary topic of the combat in the ‘urban littoral’. This paper argues that urban littoral combat is the ‘worst of both worlds’ and brings together two of the most difficult forms of warfare – urban and amphibious operations. As Thucydides demonstrated, the idea of the ‘urban-littoral’ – that is cities or conurbations able to be...
Understanding War's TheoryHow do we, as professionals, tell if something is military theory, or just opinion and conjecture? Knowing what military theory is, and what it is not, is vital. It helps identify what writings further our understanding of war and warfare, and guides professional military education and research for future doctrine and training.
Understanding SuicideA primer for ADF commanders to assist them with the challenge of military suicide.
Taking the Cultural Temperature in Combat BrigadesTaking the Cultural Temperature in Combat Brigades: Thematic Findings from the Australian Human Rights Commission Collaboration for Cultural Reform.
Command and control in modern warfareThis paper is the first in the series of Occasional Papers published by the Australian Army Research Centre (AARC). AARC was established by Chief of Army to foster knowledge of, and debate on, the profession of arms.
Transforming Australian Army Logistics to Sustain the Joint Land ForceThere is need for the Australian Army and its logisticians to address the transformation of its logistics capabilities, concepts and processes. This is not only because Army must look to the future and the ever-changing face of war, nor is it because of revelations gained through nearly twenty years of operational experiences. It is not simply because the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Angus...
Teaming – An introduction to gender studiesAn introduction to gender studies, unshackling human talent and optimising military capability for the coming Era of Equality: 2020 to 2050
Coming to terms with the modern way of war: Precision missiles and the land component of Australia's joint forceThis paper is intended to spark a discussion about the future of Australia’s land forces in light of advances in land-based precision missile technologies.
An Australian doctrinal concept for Special Warfare: Lessons and ConsiderationsThis paper launches this conversation by offering ‘best practice’ recommendations for the conduct of special warfare, and providing an initial reference for those assigned to mentor Iraqi forces or undertake international engagement activities with like-minded security partners.
