From the adaptation of commercial off-the-shelf drones in Ukraine to the demands of littoral and undersea warfare, the Australian Defence Force doctrine continues to evolve in response to a rapidly changing strategic environment.
To ensure doctrine continues to support effective joint force employment amid strategic change, the ADF Doctrine Directorate conducted a dedicated induction event from April 7 to 9.
In a changing strategic environment, drawing on both ADF legacy knowledge and emerging global circumstances, doctrine provides the intellectual foundation for integrated force employment.
"Within rapid strategic change, integrated operations and accelerated capability introduction, how do we situate ADF doctrine?" Lieutenant Colonel Garry Henkel asked during the design and development of the most recent ADF Doctrine Directorate induction event.
Against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine, ADF doctrine publications are required to remain relevant and clearly articulate principles that guide the integrated force. These range from Joint Warfare Notes that explore emerging ideas, technology and innovation through to strategic concepts that inform force design and operational thinking.
Collectively, ADF Doctrine defines the fundamental principles, philosophy and guidance for the ADF's achievement of military objectives.
'Doctrine manages uncertainty but does not eliminate it.'
The induction event brought together service representatives and doctrine teams from across Australia, including authors, editors, graphic artists and publication developers.
Conducted at Russell Offices and the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, the program was designed to ensure doctrine informs and directs Defence with immediacy and relevance.
Across sessions spanning sea, land, air, space and cyber domains, the nature of uncertainty in doctrinal application was a central theme.
"Doctrine manages uncertainty but does not eliminate it, rather, it provides guidance for use with judgement," Director Stuart Pearson of the ADF Doctrine Directorate said.
He also noted the increasing complexity and diversity of conditions that Defence personnel must prepare for across the ADF, APS and contractor workforces.
"Doctrine Directorate induction training directly assists personnel across Defence by establishing a common baseline. This improves cross-service coordination and enables more effective collaboration," Lieutenant Colonel Henkel said.
"In the contemporary era, the training supports Defence by enabling doctrinal outputs that underpin joint force employment, capability integration and decision-making in increasingly complex and contested environments."
