He takes command of the Battalion just six months before it is due to accept responsibility for providing Army ’ s Ready Battle Group ( RBG ) and he is supremely conscious of the trust placed in 1RAR to achieve that . “ The RBG is the Army ’ s highest readiness conventional contingency force ,” he said . “ It ’ s a big responsibility . “ It is a responsibility to the nation , the Prime Minister and Government , the Australian Defence Force , the Army , the Brigade , our veterans , the local community and our families . “ They ’ re placing their trust in us .” Trust beween all members of the Battalion is also vital . “ Trust between ourselves - from junior soldier to CO , from officer to soldier and non commissioned officer ,” he said . “ Within the Battalion , this trust is underpinned by being better led , better disciplined , better trained and better equipped than any potential adversary .” It will be a theme oft-repeated as 1RAR steps out on the road to Exercise Hamel . He is excited at the prospect of going down that road again - it will be LTCOL McLennan ’ s fourth Ex Hamel . He was OC Support Coy 2RAR in 2010 for the first iteration of Ex Hamel at High Range . In 2012 and 2013 , he was at the centre of the action - as Brigade Major ( BM ) beside BRIG Shane Caughey , and , in the following year as BM for BRIG Roger Noble . “ The ‘ road to ’ and Ex Hamel itself is a phenomenal experience ,” he said . “ It is the best training opportunity Army can deliver – and we will relish it . “ After Ex Hamel , 1RAR will maintain its readiness , then facilitate the hand over of the RBG to 8 / 9 RAR in 7Brigade ( commanded by another former 2RAR officer LTCOL Tony Bennett , who succeeded LTCOL McLennan as OPSO 2RAR ). A unique dimension to this year ’ s ‘ road to Hamel ’ is that 1RAR will achieve competence in performing basic amphibious tasks . LTCOL McLennan said 2RAR officers and soldiers were Army ’ s amphibious
CO 1RAR LTCOL Ben McLennan with the CO ’ s Sword bearing the insignia of King George VI
experts , having invested extraordinary effort to build the capability . Some of their expertise will be passed onto 1RAR as it becomes the first battalion other than 2RAR to be trained in amphibious competency . No stranger to Townsville , he spent eight years in 2RAR , and two years at HQ 3Bde , but it ’ s the first time he has been posted to 1RAR . He sees himself as the custodian of The Big Blue One ’ s history and traditions , and he has taken the reins at an historically significant time . Next year , 2018 , will be the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Coral , the 70th anniversary of the formation of the Royal Australian Regiment , the 25th anniversary of 1RAR ’ s deployment to Somalia and 1RAR will receive new Colours . “ It will be a very big year ,” LTCOL McLennan said . It ’ s just another reason he is looking forward to the next two years . “ I am privileged to get the opportunity to lead such a fine Battalion ,” he said . “ At the end of my two years at 1RAR , I will be fortunate enough to have an affinity with two of the three founding Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment - the King ’ s Battalions .” You can ’ t hope for better , surely ?
74 | FEBRUARY 2017