Australian Army Journal

EDITORIAL
based on a broad and current view that few if any other can replicate.
Somewhat juxtaposed to the RSM’s opinion are those of two officers who
examine the strengths and weaknesses of elements of Army culture based
on their recent experiences.
On a more personal level, I am very pleased with the response that the Journal
has received to the call for submissions for this edition. I am heartened not only by
the number and the quality of submissions that we received, but by the diversity of
the authors. From Army Reserve lance corporals to Regular Army major generals,
from academics to RAAF amateur poets and a Swedish military officer, the fact
that people felt strongly enough about subjects to write is a reflection of how
widespread interest in the topic has been. With the large number of submissions
we also had to call on an extensive body of reviewers, and the team utilised the
expertise of reviewers from both the Regular and Reserve components, the Army
History Unit, DSTO, ASPI, DFAT, ANU, UNSW and the universities of Melbourne
and Southern Queensland. Our grateful thanks go to them all.
Because of the number of submissions we received, we have held some articles
over to later editions of the Journal. This will ensure that the subject continues to
feature in the current debate, which can only be a good thing. And finally, for a
small organisation such as the Land Warfare Studies Centre, a special edition
such as this takes a great deal of effort, not only to seek out authors and reviewers,
but to collate submissions for the Board’s review and then to ensure that,
where required, the recommended changes are incorporated and the appropriate
editing is completed. My thanks on this occasion to LTCOL Nerolie McDonald,
Chloe Diggins and Cathy McCullagh for their efforts in this regard.
On a more sombre note, this Journal has once again to honour the service of
another brave soldier killed on operations in Afghanistan since we last went to print.
On 22 June 2013 CPL Cameron Stewart Baird, MG, of the 2nd Commando
Regiment was on his fifth tour of Afghanistan when he was killed by small arms
fire during a contact with the enemy. Our thoughts go to his family, friends and
comrades.
Australian Army Journal
Culture edition 2013, Volume X, Number 3 Page 10