Commando News Magazine edition 4 2020

Directorate of Honours & Awards (DH&A). The DH&A
Website link is: https://www.defence.gov.au/Medals/
Content/ApplyOnlineInstructions.asp
Should there be a problem with the ASM CT/SR
Application, please do not hesitate in contacting me.
However, be sure to mention the Donaghue Report in
your initial application to point the Staff toward the
acceptance of the recognition. Also provide as much
information as possible such as SVA for CT Clothing
Allowance; and any other evidence that will support your
application.
Commando 4 Life
Paul Copeland OAM, JP
Advocate Level 4
ACA Veteran Advocacy Advisor
Australian Commando Association
E: aca_vetentitlements@commando.org.au
BOOK REVIEW
COMMANDO FOR LIFE
‘THE COMMANDO WAY’
A Special Forces Commander’s Lessons for Life, Leadership and Success
By MAJ Bram Connolly, DSM. (Retd) Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, 2020
Reviewed by MAJ Jim Truscott (Retd) - ACA VIC
It is always fascinating to review a book
written by someone that you know
some what well, especially a combat
commander. The author did some consulting
work for my Crisis Management company in
the past but I had never seen him perform on
the job with any of our clients. As he is quite
a deal younger than me, our military paths
had not crossed in our first careers either,
although he chose to immortalize me in one
of his other fictional books ‘Off Reservation’
much to my delight! This non-fiction book
which reads like an ‘autobiographical
manual’ certainly filled in some gaps in my knowledge
about him. I was actually drawn to read the book by the
powerful testimonials that it has received from several
military notables, some of whom I have served with on
operations.
The author recounts 27 short stories primarily from his
military service in peace and war, but some from his nonmilitary
life, all examined under the topics of resilience,
optimization, leadership and values, with a concluding call
to action for all readers to pursue personal selfdevelopment.
Some of the chapters are humorous and
whimsical. Most of the story telling is reflective and near
confessional. Other vignettes are gripping and pervading
with an undercurrent of fear. All successful Special Forces
officers seem to find themselves on the wrong side of the
railway tracks for some misdemeanour at some stage in
their careers, but this is the first time that I heard this
happening from having mistakenly eaten the foot of a
goat in front of some less than impressed Afghan
warlords!
The book is not all about Bram as he uses
several case studies of many other men that
he has served under, or been in charge of. It
illuminates the unique style and criticality of
leadership in independent Australian Com -
mando subunits in the field of operations. I
cannot recall having read a similar style
Australian book about mission men and
combat leadership under often extremely
tense and very difficult operational situa -
tions. The subject has not been addressed
previously in such a singular and operator
focused way.
I liken his lessons learned to an easy to read, playbook
for life. Some readers who do not have a military
background may not full appreciate all of his experiences,
but the lessons that he summarizes at the end of each
story will be obvious to all. I was intrigued by his very last
story about humility where he recounts a consulting
experience in business that did not go so well. It begs a
follow-on book covering the application of his framework
for life covering the ten years since he left the bounds of
the military.
The author’s descanter on leadership is an informative
read for anyone seeking to take charge be they a digger
spokesperson, a junior commander, a manager of people
in their first appointment, or a doyen in business. All
leaders and all followers will find this book equally of
value as the author rightly says, to be a good leader you
first have to be a good follower, but to be a great leader
you have to remember that being a good follower wasn’t
easy. I bet the Afghan warlords will have a chuckle as well!
22 COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 4 I 2020