Australian Defence College

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Australian Defence College
Australian Defence College.png
Agency overview
Jurisdiction Commonwealth of Australia
Headquarters Canberra, Australia
35°19′11″S149°3′29″E / 35.31972°S 149.05806°E / -35.31972; 149.05806
Minister responsible
Parent agency Department of Defence (Australia)
Website Australian Defence College

The Australian Defence College (ADC) comprises three joint education and training organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory:

Contents

The ADC is commanded by a two-star officer. Each of the educational organisations is commanded by a one-star officer or Colonel (equivalent), titled Commandant of their organisation.[ not verified in body ]

The last known commander was Major General Mick Ryan, from January 2018 to February 2022. [1]

The Australian Defence Force Warfare Training Centre and Peace Operations Training Centre are sited at a campus at Weston, ACT.[ not verified in body ]

History of Australian Defence College

The current Australian Defence College has its origins in the report of the Defence Efficiency Review from May 1997. The report recommended sweeping changes to officer education in the Australian Defence Force.

The Australian Defence College (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 new 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.

On 14 March 2001 the then Governor–General, Sir William Deane, officially opened the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC). Prior to this date, middle management officer Command and Staff training was conducted at separate single Service staff colleges: [2]

On 1 October 2007 the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC) came under command of the Commander ADC, as part of the Vice Chief of the Defence Force Group.

In July 2017, the Australian Defence College transferred to the new Joint Capabilities Group.

In 2019, under the command of General Ryan, the Australian Defence College implemented a major organisational reform after nearly two decades. The changes included the amalgamation of the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies and the Australian Command and Staff College to form the Australian War College, to focus on Joint Professional Military Education. Individual training delivered by the Australian Defence Force Warfare Training Centre, Peace Operations Training Centre, Defence Force Chaplains College, Defence International Training Centre, and Defence Force School of Languages was centralised to the Australian Defence Force Training Centre.

Commanders

Commander, Australian Defence College
CommanderTerm beganTerm ended
Rear Admiral Raydon Gates CSM, RAN January 1999August 2002
Major General Jim Molan AO August 2002April 2004
Rear Admiral Mark Bonser AO, CSC, RAN May 2004January 2006
Major General David Morrison AM January 2006April 2007
Brigadier Brian Dawson AM, CSC (Acting)April 2007August 2007
Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas AO, CSC, RAN August 2007January 2008
Rear Admiral Davyd Thomas AO, CSC, RAN January 2008May 2008
Rear Admiral James Goldrick AO, CSC, RAN May 2008August 2011
Major General Craig Orme AM, CSC August 2011July 2013
Major General Simone Wilkie AO July 2013January 2018
Major General Mick Ryan AM January 2018February 2022 [1]
[ needs update ]February 2022

Australian War College

Badge of the Australian War College Australian War College Logo.png
Badge of the Australian War College

On 15 February 2019, the Hon Darren Chester MP, Minister for Defence Personnel, officially opened the new Australian War College.

The War College delivers the Australian Defence Force's core Joint Professional Military Education continuum through the War College's two principal courses: The Australian Command and Staff Course and The Defence Strategic Studies Course.

Both courses use distinguished guest lecturers to give the course a practical context. Visiting Fellows include prominent academics from overseas.

Commandants

The following is a list of the Commandants, Australian War College.

CommanderTerm beganTerm ended
Air Commodore Matt Hegarty CSC January 2019January 2020
Commodore Richard Boulton AM RAN January 2020Present

Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC)

"Joint Services Staff College" is also the former name of the British Joint Service Defence College

In 2019, 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 - was amalgamated with the Australian Command and Staff College to form the Australian War College, which is now responsible for the delivery of CDSS' main course, the Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC). The DSSC is intended for senior Service and civilian officers of mainly Colonel (equiv) rank.

The intensive Defence and Strategic Studies Course (DSSC) primarily uses study modules from Australian universities. The DSSC is intended to give officers of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Public Service and overseas participants the knowledge and skills required by senior leaders and managers operating in the national security environment. The interconnected thematic core curriculum blocks that are:

Successful completion of the DSSC is considered necessary for promotion to Brigadier (equivalent) rank in the Australian Defence Force.

Past Principals Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies (CDSS)

The following is a list of the Principals, Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies.

PrincipalTerm beganTerm ended
Paul Varsanyi18 January 20005 January 2005
Myra Rowling6 January 20058 December 2005
Maurice Hermann5 January 20063 December 2006
Dr Alan Ryan4 December 2006January 2012[ citation needed ]
Ian ErringtonJanuary 2012February 2018[ citation needed ]
Colonel Charles WellerFebruary 2018December 2018

Australian Command and Staff Course (ACSC)

The Australian Command and Staff Course intellectually prepares future leaders to fulfil command and staff appointments in single-Service, joint, multi-national and interagency environment.

Other courses conducted are:

Other courses are preparations for these:

The Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC) conducts courses intended to prepare field ranking officers (Major / Lieutenant Commander / Squadron Leader) and their Defence civilian equivalent for staff duties and subsequent promotion to command positions.

Past Commandants Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC)

The following is a list of the Commanders, Australian Command and Staff College.

CommanderTerm beganTerm ended
Air Commodore Peter McDermott AM, CSC March 2001December 2002
Commodore Campbell "Cam" Darby AM, RAN December 2002January 2005
Brigadier Michael Clifford CSC January 2005July 2005
Brigadier Wayne Bowen SC, AM July 2005September 2006
Brigadier Chris Appleton CSC February 2007December 2007
Captain Richard McMillan CSC, RAN (acting)December 2007March 2008[ citation needed ]
Brigadier Barry McManus CSC March 2008January 2009[ citation needed ]
Brigadier Wayne Goodman AM January 2009May 2010[ citation needed ]
Commodore Richard Menhinick AM, CSC, RAN May 20102012
Brigadier Peter Gates AM, CSM 20122017
Air Commodore Matt Hegarty CSC 20172018

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. [3] Classes were moved to the ADFA campus while restoration work was completed.

Australian Defence Force Training Centre (ADFTC)

Badge of the Australian Defence Force Training Centre Australian Defence Force Training Centre Logo.png
Badge of the Australian Defence Force Training Centre

The Australian Defence Force Training Centre was stood up in 2019 following the Australian Defence College organisational changes and centralised joint individual training for Defence, Government Agencies and selected foreign students.

The ADFTC is as follows:

Commandants

The following is a list of the Commandants, Australian Defence Force Training Centre.

CommanderTerm beganTerm ended
Captain Ray Leggatt AM, CSC, RAN January 2019November 2019
Captain David Luck RAN November 2019Present

Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA)

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is the educational institution for trainee officers of the Australian Defence Force, offering three- and four-year primary degrees, and postgraduate degrees.

ADFA's academic services are provided by the University of New South Wales Canberra and academic and some support staff are employed by the university. Military staff conduct a separate Joint Military Education and Training program to prepare the trainee officers for their military careers.

The campus is in Campbell, ACT, and is located between Russell, Campbell Park and Duntroon.

Current Commandant: Air Commodore Jules Adams

Rector: Professor Emma Sparks

References and notes

  1. 1 2 "Mick Ryan — Adjunct Fellow (Non-resident), Australia Chair". csis.org. Retrieved 25 May 2025.
  2. The History of the Australian Command and Staff College Archived 21 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine , Australia Defence College website. This page also contains: RAAF Staff College History; RAN Staff Course History; and History of the Army Staff College.
  3. Staff (31 January 2006). "No major injuries sustained in college roof collapse". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2020.