Australian Defence College
Encyclopedia
The Australian Defence College (ADC) comprises three tri-service educational organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force
in Canberra
, Australian Capital Territory
:
The ADC is headed by a two-star
officer
, currently Rear Admiral James Goldrick
AM, CSC
, RAN
. Each of the educational organisations is headed by a one-star officer, or civilian of equivalent status, titled Commandant / Principal of their organisation.
Officers from other countries are sponsored to attend the courses offered at each organisation. Typically these people are paired with Defence 'foster' families in Canberra who can offer guidance and support during the visitor's stay.
The first two organisations are sited at a campus at Weston
, ACT. This campus has been sold to private hands and leased back by Defence.
Both campuses maintain extensive libraries.
The ADC was officially opened on 18 January 1999 by the Hon Bruce Scott
MP, Minister Assisting the Minister of Defence. The founding Commander of the ADC was Rear Admiral Raydon Gates CSM, RAN.
The first two courses that were run at the ADC in 1999 were the Defence Staff Course (DSC) and the Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC). In 2000 these two courses were merged to form one course, the Defence and Strategic Studies Course, which is run by the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS).
On 14 March 2001 the then Governor–General
, Sir William Deane
, commemorated the establishment of the ADC, and officially opened the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC). Prior to the establishment of the ACSC, middle management officer Command and Staff training was conducted at separate single Service staff college
s:
On 1 October 2007 the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC) and the Australian Defence College merged under command of the Commander ADC, as part of the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group.
They are now under the Commander, Joint Education, Training and Warfare.
The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) - formerly known as the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies, and the Joint Services Staff College - opened in January 2001 as part of the reorganised Australian Defence College. The CDSS is intended for senior Service and civilian officers of mainly Colonel (equiv) rank.
The main course is an intensive Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC), primarily using study modules from various Australian universities. The DSSC is intended to give officers of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Public Service and overseas participants with the knowledge and skills required by senior leaders and managers operating in the national security environment. The DSSC concentrates on the Asia-Pacific region. The interconnected thematic core curriculum blocks that are:
Successful completion of this course is considered necessary for promotion to Brigadier (equiv) rank in the Australian Defence Force.
Distinguished Guest lecturers are used to give the course a practical context. Visiting Fellows include prominent academics from overseas.
Other courses are preparations for these:
s, and postgraduate degrees.
ADFA is operated as a campus of the University of New South Wales
(UNSW) and has academic and support staff employed by the university. Military staff maintain a separate training program in non-academic time.
The campus is in Campbell
, ACT, and is located between Russell
, Campbell Park
and Duntroon
.
Current Commandant: Commodore Bruce Kafer
AM, CSC, RAN
Rector: Professor John Baird
Australian Defence Force
The Australian Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the defence of Australia. It consists of the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force and a number of 'tri-service' units...
in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
:
- the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS),
- the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC) (both located at Weston Creek), and
- the Australian Defence Force AcademyAustralian Defence Force AcademyThe Australian Defence Force Academy is a tri-service military Academy that provides military and tertiary academic education for junior officers of the Australian Defence Force in the Royal Australian Navy , Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force .Tertiary education is provided by the...
(ADFA).
The ADC is headed by a two-star
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
officer
Officer (armed forces)
An officer is a member of an armed force or uniformed service who holds a position of authority. Commissioned officers derive authority directly from a sovereign power and, as such, hold a commission charging them with the duties and responsibilities of a specific office or position...
, currently Rear Admiral James Goldrick
James Goldrick
Rear Admiral James Vincent Purcell Goldrick AM, CSC is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, author, and a naval historian. He currently holds the position of Commander Joint Education, Training and Warfare-Early life and education:...
AM, CSC
Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia)
The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations...
, RAN
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
. Each of the educational organisations is headed by a one-star officer, or civilian of equivalent status, titled Commandant / Principal of their organisation.
Officers from other countries are sponsored to attend the courses offered at each organisation. Typically these people are paired with Defence 'foster' families in Canberra who can offer guidance and support during the visitor's stay.
The first two organisations are sited at a campus at Weston
Weston, Australian Capital Territory
Weston is a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. On Census night 2006, Weston had a population of 3,176 people....
, ACT. This campus has been sold to private hands and leased back by Defence.
Both campuses maintain extensive libraries.
History of College
The current Australian Defence College has its origins in the report of the Defence Efficiency Review that was issued in May 1997. The report recommended sweeping changes to officer education in the Australian Defence Force.The ADC was officially opened on 18 January 1999 by the Hon Bruce Scott
Bruce Scott
Bruce Craig Scott , Australian politician, has been a National Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since March 1990, representing the Division of Maranoa, Queensland. He was born in Roma, Queensland, and was a wool and grain grower before entering politics...
MP, Minister Assisting the Minister of Defence. The founding Commander of the ADC was Rear Admiral Raydon Gates CSM, RAN.
The first two courses that were run at the ADC in 1999 were the Defence Staff Course (DSC) and the Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC). In 2000 these two courses were merged to form one course, the Defence and Strategic Studies Course, which is run by the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS).
On 14 March 2001 the then Governor–General
Governor-General of Australia
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative in Australia at federal/national level of the Australian monarch . He or she exercises the supreme executive power of the Commonwealth...
, Sir William Deane
William Deane
Sir William Patrick Deane, AC, KBE, QC , Australian judge and the 22nd Governor-General of Australia.-Early life:William Deane was born in Melbourne, Victoria. He was educated at Catholic schools including St. Joseph's College, Hunters Hill and at the University of Sydney, where he graduated in...
, commemorated the establishment of the ADC, and officially opened the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC). Prior to the establishment of the ACSC, middle management officer Command and Staff training was conducted at separate single Service staff college
Staff college
Staff colleges train military officers in the administrative, staff and policy aspects of their profession. It is usual for such training to occur at several levels in a career...
s:
- the Army Command and Staff Course was conducted at Fort QueenscliffFort QueenscliffFort Queenscliff, in Victoria, Australia, dates from 1860 when an open battery was constructed on Shortland's Bluff to defend the entrance to Port Phillip. The Fort, which underwent major redevelopment in the late 1870s and 1880s, became the headquarters for an extensive chain of forts around Port...
in VictoriaVictoria (Australia)Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
; - the RAAF Staff Course at RAAF FairbairnFairbairn, CanberraFairbairn was a base of the Royal Australian Air Force located in Australia's national capital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Over the years the name of the establishment, and the use of the land, has changed...
in the Australian Capital TerritoryAustralian Capital TerritoryThe Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
; and - the RAN Staff Course at HMAS PenguinHMAS Penguin (naval base)HMAS Penguin is a shore establishment of the Royal Australian Navy located at Balmoral on the shore of Sydney Harbour in the suburb of Mosman, New South Wales...
in SydneySydneySydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, New South WalesNew South WalesNew South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
.
On 1 October 2007 the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC) and the Australian Defence College merged under command of the Commander ADC, as part of the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group.
They are now under the Commander, Joint Education, Training and Warfare.
Commanders
| Commander, Australian Defence College | ||
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Term began | Term ended |
| Rear Admiral Raydon Gates CSM Conspicuous Service Medal The Conspicuous Service Medal is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the Australian Defence Force, it is awarded for meritorious achievement or dedication to duty in non-war like situations. The CSM was introduced in 1989 and is a distinct Australian military award. It is the second... , RAN Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces... |
18 January 1999 | 21 August 2002 |
| Major General Major General (Australia) Major General is a senior rank of the Australian Army, and was created as a direct equivalent of the British military rank of Major General. It is the third-highest active rank of the Australian Army, and is considered to be equivalent to a two-star rank... Jim Molan Jim Molan Major General Andrew James Molan AO, DSC is a retired senior officer in the Australian Army.-Education:"Jim" Molan joined the Australian Army following completion of his schooling in Victoria. On graduating from the Royal Military College, Duntroon, in 1971 he was allocated to the Royal Australian... AO |
22 August 2002 | April 2004 |
| Rear Admiral Mark Bonser Mark Bonser Rear Admiral Mark Bonser, AO, CSC, RAN is a flag rank officer in the Royal Australian Navy, and since October 2005, Head of the Military Justice Implementation Team for the Australian Defence Force.-Early years:... AO, CSC Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia) The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations... , RAN |
3 May 2004 | 15 January 2006 |
| Major General David Morrison David Morrison Lieutenant General David Lindsay Morrison AO is a senior officer within the Australian Army, currently serving in the position of Chief of Army.-Early life and career:... AM |
16 January 2006 | 2 April 2007 |
| Brigadier Brigadier Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general.... Brian Dawson AM, CSC (Acting) |
3 April 2007 | 2 August 2007 |
| Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas Davyd Thomas Rear Admiral Davyd Rhys Thomas AO, CSC, RAN is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy.-Service history:Davyd Rhys Thomas was born on 2 May 1956 in Newcastle, New South Wales, and joined the Royal Australian Navy College from that city in 1974... AM, CSC, RAN |
August 2007 | January 2008 |
| Commander Joint Education, Training and Warfare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Term began | Term ended |
| Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas Davyd Thomas Rear Admiral Davyd Rhys Thomas AO, CSC, RAN is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy.-Service history:Davyd Rhys Thomas was born on 2 May 1956 in Newcastle, New South Wales, and joined the Royal Australian Navy College from that city in 1974... AM, CSC, RAN |
January 2008 | May 2008 |
| Rear Admiral James Goldrick James Goldrick Rear Admiral James Vincent Purcell Goldrick AM, CSC is a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy, author, and a naval historian. He currently holds the position of Commander Joint Education, Training and Warfare-Early life and education:... AM, CSC, RAN |
May 2008 | Present |
Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS)
- "Joint Services Staff College" is also the former name of the British Joint Service Defence CollegeJoint Service Defence CollegeThe Joint Service Defence College was a training academy for British military personnel in the period from 1983 to 1997. It has now been amalgamated into the Joint Services Command and Staff College.-History:...
The Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS) - formerly known as the Australian College of Defence and Strategic Studies, and the Joint Services Staff College - opened in January 2001 as part of the reorganised Australian Defence College. The CDSS is intended for senior Service and civilian officers of mainly Colonel (equiv) rank.
The main course is an intensive Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC), primarily using study modules from various Australian universities. The DSSC is intended to give officers of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Public Service and overseas participants with the knowledge and skills required by senior leaders and managers operating in the national security environment. The DSSC concentrates on the Asia-Pacific region. The interconnected thematic core curriculum blocks that are:
- Development of Strategic Thought;
- Command, Strategic Leadership and Management;
- The Contemporary Strategic Setting;
- Future Strategic Settings;
- Australian Strategic policy - Past, Present and Future; and
- Higher Command and Staff Studies.
Successful completion of this course is considered necessary for promotion to Brigadier (equiv) rank in the Australian Defence Force.
Distinguished Guest lecturers are used to give the course a practical context. Visiting Fellows include prominent academics from overseas.
Principals
The following is a list of the Principals, Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.| Principal | Term began | Term ended |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Varsanyi | 18 January 1999 | 5 January 2005 |
| Myra Rowling | 6 January 2005 | 8 December 2005 |
| Maurice Hermann | 5 January 2006 | 3 December 2006 |
| Dr Alan Ryan | 4 December 2006 | Present |
Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC)
The Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC) conducts courses intended to prepare junior officers (Major / Lieutenant Commander / Squadron Leader / Defence civilian equivalent) for staff duties and subsequent promotion to command positions. Courses conducted are the:- Australian Command and Staff Course,
- ArmyAustralian ArmyThe Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
Reserve Command and Staff Course, and - RANRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
Staff Acquaint Course.
Other courses are preparations for these:
- Overseas Course Member Orientation Period (OCMOP),
- ACSC Course Member Orientation Week, and
- Directing Staff Development Course (DSDP).
Commanders
The following is a list of the Commanders, Australian Command and Staff College.| Commander | Term began | Term ended |
|---|---|---|
| Air Commodore Air Commodore Air commodore is an air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force... Peter McDermott AM, CSC Conspicuous Service Cross (Australia) The Conspicuous Service Cross is a decoration of the Australian Honours System. The CSC is awarded only for outstanding devotion to duty, or outstanding achievement in the application of exceptional skills, judgment or dedication, in non-warlike situations... |
14 March 2001 | 19 December 2002 |
| Commodore Commodore (rank) Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always... Campbell "Cam" Darby AM, RAN |
20 December 2002 | January 2005 |
| Brigadier Brigadier Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general.... Michael Clifford CSC |
January 2005 | 14 July 2005 |
| Brigadier Wayne Bowen SC Star of Courage (Australia) The Star of Courage is a bravery decoration awarded to Australians. It is awarded for acts of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. The SC was created on 14 February 1975. The decoration recognises acts of bravery by members of the community. They selflessly put themselves in... , AM |
15 July 2005 | 18 September 2006 |
| Brigadier Chris Appleton CSC | 20 February 2007 | 14 December 2007 |
| Captain Captain (naval) Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel.... Richard McMillan CSC, RAN (acting) |
15 December 2007 | March 2008 |
| Brigadier Barry McManus CSC | March 2008 | January 2009 |
| Brigadier Wayne Goodman AM | January 2009 | May 2010 |
| Commodore Richard Menhinick CSC, RAN | May 2010 | Present |
Roof collapse
At about 4.15pm on 30 January 2006, part of the roof collapsed into the staff offices on the second floor used by the ACSC at the Geddes building. Several staff had minor injuries. Classes were moved to the ADFA campus while restoration work was completed.Australian Defence Force Academy
The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is the educational institution for cadet officers of the Australian Defence Force, offering three- and four-year primary degreeAcademic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
s, and postgraduate degrees.
ADFA is operated as a campus of the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
(UNSW) and has academic and support staff employed by the university. Military staff maintain a separate training program in non-academic time.
The campus is in Campbell
Campbell, Australian Capital Territory
Campbell is a suburb of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Covering an area to the South East of the central business district, Campbell sits at the base of Mount Ainslie. On Census night 2006, Campbell had a population of 4,797 people...
, ACT, and is located between Russell
Russell Offices
The Russell Offices is a complex of office buildings located in the Canberra suburb of Russell.Together with Campbell Park, these two complexes are home to the Australian Department of Defence and contain the administrative headquarters of the Australian Defence Force.The Office of National...
, Campbell Park
Campbell Park, Australia
Campbell Park, together with Russell Offices, is the headquarters of the Australian Defence Force. It is located in Canberra, the national capital of Australia, in the suburb of Campbell, Australian Capital Territory....
and Duntroon
Royal Military College, Duntroon
The Royal Military College, Duntroon is the Australian Army's officer training establishment. It was founded at Duntroon, in the Australian Capital Territory, in 1911 and is situated on picturesque grounds at the foot of Mount Pleasant near Lake Burley Griffin, close to the Department of Defence...
.
Current Commandant: Commodore Bruce Kafer
Bruce Kafer
Commodore Bruce Kafer AM, CSC is the current Commandant of the Australian Defence Force Academy, a position he has held since December 2009.-Naval career:...
AM, CSC, RAN
Rector: Professor John Baird