Enlisted perspectives shape strategic dialogue

More than 200 senior enlisted leaders from 19 nations attended the inaugural Senior Enlisted Leader Symposium in Canberra.

CAPTION: International senior enlisted leaders held a panel discussion during the Senior Enlisted Leader Symposium at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Story and photos by Corporal Michael Rogers.

Held at the Australian Defence Force Academy on February 2-4, the symposium was hosted by Australian Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chief of the Defence Force, Warrant Officer Ken Robertson.

“Senior enlisted leaders from different countries and services benefit greatly from engaging together,” Warrant Officer Robertson said.

“It builds trust, strengthens strategic partnerships and enhances interoperability across coalition forces.”

CAPTION: From left, Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chief of the Defence Force Warrant Officer Ken Robertson, Warrant Officer of the Navy Warrant Officer Andrew Bertoncin, Regimental Sergeant Major – Army Warrant Officer Kim Felmingham and Warrant Officer of the Air Force Warrant Officer Ralph Clifton.

Attendees included warrant officers from across all ADF services, international counterparts and a small group of emerging non-commissioned officers.

The United States, United Kingdom, India, Canada, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, Fiji, Tonga, Brunei, Timor-Leste and NATO were represented at the symposium.

Presentations covered a wide range of contemporary issues, including China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific, lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, military ethics, and space and cyber operations.

A highlight of the symposium was an international panel of senior enlisted leaders, who took the stage to answer questions on leadership and the importance of the non-commissioned officer cohort.

CAPTION: An Australian Army Warrant Officer First Class asks a question of the international senior enlisted leaders panel during the Senior Enlisted Leader Symposium.

The symposium theme, ‘People and Partnerships’, reflected the growing importance of the enlisted workforce and international relationships in modern military operations.

“Enlisted leaders offer perspectives that are often unavailable to commissioned officers because they live much closer to the daily realities of the force,” Warrant Officer Robertson said. 

“They understand how policy, training, tempo, culture and leadership decisions actually land on soldiers, sailors, aviators at the tactical level. 

“As a result, they can provide a ground-truth perspective that complements and often sharpens the views of commissioned officers.”

He said the symposium delivered a deeper shared understanding of regional security challenges and fostered closer relationships between partner forces.

“The level of openness and engagement showed just how valuable the enlisted perspective is in shaping strategic outcomes,” Warrant Officer Robertson said.

“Delegates agreed to enhance information sharing, increase future training and professional military education exchanges, and explore opportunities for more touch points between partner forces.”

The ADF Senior Enlisted Leader Symposium is planned to be a biennial event, with strong engagement from this year creating momentum for the valuable forum to continue. 

CAPTION: Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston addresses the Senior Enlisted Leader Symposium.

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