The Combat Training Centre (CTC) in conjunction with the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) Gregg Centre (GC) for the Study of War and Society recently conducted the Gregg Centre Conference. This year’s event was held at the Crowne Plaza, in Fredericton and was streamed live on 28 and 29 February, 2024.
This year’s keynote speaker was Major-General (Ret.) Mick Ryan of the Australian Army. MGen Ryan spent 35 years in the Australian Army and commanded soldiers at troop, squadron, regiment, task force and brigade levels. He has a long-standing interest in military history and strategy, advanced technologies, organizational innovation, and adaptation theory. He was inaugural President of the Defence Entrepreneurs Forum (Australia) and is a member of the Military Writers Guild. He is a keen author on the interface of military strategy, innovation, and advanced technologies, as well as how institutions can develop their intellectual edge.
He is a regular columnist in the Sydney Morning Herald and ABC Australia. He also has frequent commentary appearances on ABC TV, the BBC and CNN. His latest book, White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan, was published on 4 May 2023 by Casemate Books. His next book, about strategy and adaptation in the Ukraine War, will be published in 2024.
During his keynote address he shared his strategic observations from Ukraine and Israel and discussed how to effectively build combat leaders for warfighting in modern conditions. The conference saw military and academic experts share perspectives, and participants took part in several break-out panel discussions, including soldiers from CTC Schools in Gagetown alongside UNB students who are studying at the GC.
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