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Introduction (Siovahn Daly)

This article began as a response to Daniel Cook’s recent article on ‘Turning the Tap Off – Stopping the Flow of Pointless Jobs in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)’ (Cook, 2023); as such, it will address some of the points raised in that article within the context a broader trend towards what I term ‘military populism’.

Introduction

David TurnbullAustralian Defence ForceIn my previous blog (Turnbull, 2026), I explored the foundational work of building self-awareness, embracing

Ever wondered what the rest of the Air Force does when you are doing your Job.
Laura Pearson proposes an innovative way to break down the knowledge gap and enhance Air Force workforce effectiveness. Get engaged in the conversation

Education is highly valued in the Air Force, with the acquisition of highly specialised skills and expertise being an integral component of one's career progression. Training comes in various forms, including mandatory, specialist, on-the-job, and professional military education. In addition to these forms of training, members of the Air Force have access to opportunities for scholarship, where they can apply for graduate programs at Masters and PhD level through civilian universities. These programs afford individuals the chance to focus on a particular "problem" for Defence, dedicating an extended period of time to research and scholarship.

Living and Thriving Under AmbiguityLuke Houghton and Jennifer LoyGriffith UniversityWhen new problems arise in life and do not have clear answers c

The Background

Australia is a maritime, geographically vast, technologically capable, and globally connected nation. These attributes do not guarantee effective national security, but they do provide choice, and Australia is now under increasing pressure to make the right one.