Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2007/The Course

Module builds on a theme

By Barry Rollings

The Maritime Single Service Module within the Military Studies Component at the college built on the General Studies themes but focused on the maritime dimension, CMDR Andy Nelson said.

He's the Directing Staff NAVY 2 MADO Module Manager/Navy Single Service Module Manager at Weston.

"It also looks at navies in a broader context, with a particular focus on the Royal Australian Navy (RAN)," he said.

"The major thrust of this module is the business of the Navy, the internal and external environments that have shaped the Navy's development and its operations today, and how the Navy goes about its business in that environment.

"To this end, main areas of course members' study include the history and theories of maritime warfare; ocean management and regulatory policies that are unique to the maritime environment; and RAN organisation, command and management.

"The module also includes a maritime operations unit focusing on operational planning within a joint context, which also sets a suitable platform for the subsequent Joint Operations Planning (JOPS) module of the course."

The ACSC full course was 46 weeks, beginning in mid-January. It was aimed at the LCDR (O4) and equivalent Officers and Public Servants, with the vision of promoting excellence in war-fighting and developing quality leaders.

"Its aim is to prepare selected career officers for command and staff appointments in single Services, joint and integrated environments," CMDR Nelson said.

"The course presently comprises 150 members from 20 countries. It is executed utilising a combination of Defence staff and contracted educational services. The strategic studies, electives and media modules are mainly provided by external academic contractors.

"There are two components to the course, which include general and military studies.

"General studies is executed in the first half of the year and includes the following broad topics:

• Management of the Australian Defence Organisation,
• Communication and Critical Thinking Skills,
• Command and Leadership,
• Strategic Studies, and
• An elective in one of three streams - management, further strategic studies, or an independent learning elective negotiated with college staff.

"The second component, Military Studies, is primarily executed in the second half of the year with the exception of a Joint Operations introduction early in the course.

"Military Studies comprises:

• Joint Operations,
• Maritime Single Service Studies,
• Land Single Service Studies, and
• Aerospace Single Service Studies.