6 February 2024
Transcript
Welcome to 2024, Army.
We’re all busy preparing to deliver our part in Army’s mission this year and I’m grateful for your time today, and for the opportunity to confirm our main priorities for 2024.
But firstly, I want to thank those of you who worked over these summer holidays – whether you were deployed at home supporting our communities in their time of need, or on one of the many other operations at home and abroad.
And a special thank you to all of our families who posted this year.
I do sincerely appreciate your commitment and forbearance, because I know that along with all of the opportunities that come with a posting, there are also challenges.
So thank you. And please reach out if you need some help.
2023 was a defining year for our Army and I’m really proud of what we achieved and the way in which we went about things.
I am confident that we are equal to whatever this year may bring.
Our four priorities remain – trust, readiness, being good stewards of resources and telling our story.
Today I want to talk to you all directly, and to set my immediate priorities for each of you.
If you are a soldier, I need you to focus on being an expert in your job. Listen and learn from your NCOs, understand our tactics, and practise, practise and practise until you are the best you can be. You are at the very heart of our Army’s success.
If you are an NCO, a Warrant Officer or a junior officer, I need you to focus on leadership and leading. Our Army relies on trust in our teams, and I need you to build this trust. Lead by personal example, plan well, communicate constantly, and above all ensure that our values are reflected in our behaviours everyday. Trust among teams is our main effort for this year.
If you are part of a command team - a CO or an RSM, I need you to focus on readiness. We did brilliantly last year to rebuild our readiness – but this year we need to maintain and enhance it. Our operating environment demands it. Make sure that everyone in your team knows their role in being ready: we each have a part to play.
For those of you on the staff in Army and across the ADF, I need you to focus on a critical task: leading change. We are transforming our Army to deliver our part in the integrated force. And I need you to think deeply, inform good decisions, listen to feedback, and communicate the plan. Leading change is hard, but we must get it right.
Two final points. First, we all need to think carefully about our resources. Things are tight but you know the standard – do what you can with what you have, wherever you are. I need you to use your initiative especially in how we continue to improve our training.
And finally, I need you to help tell the story of our Army. Our people are our Army, so telling your story helps to tell our Army’s story. Please take the opportunities to talk about your Service, to connect with your community, and to be proud of what you do.
I extend my thanks to you and your families for your service in our Army. An Army in our community, and an Army for our nation.