RSL NSW Election Nomination
Additional information – James Alexander Brown
Date/Place of Birth: 24 June 1980, Sydney
Occupation: Director of Research, United States Studies Centre
Particulars of Service:
Australian Army 2003-2010, Australian Army Reserve 2010-2017
Royal Australian Armoured Corps officer
Operational service: Iraq, Afghanistan, Solomon Islands
Postings: 12/16th Hunter River Lancers (Muswellbrook), Sydney University
Regiment, Royal Military College (Duntroon), School of Armour (Puckapunyal),
2nd Cavalry Regiment (Darwin), Al Muthanna Task Group (Iraq), Combat Arms
Training Centre (Puckapunyal), Headquarters Joint Operations Command,
(Garden Island NSW), Headquarters Joint Task Force 633 (Baghdad Iraq), ISAF
Special Operations Forces (Kabul Afghanistan), 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers
(Parramatta), 1 Commando Regiment (Randwick), Land Warfare Studies Centre
(Canberra).
Campaign Medals, Decorations and Awards:
Deputy Chief of Joint Operations Silver Commendation
Australian Active Service Medal (with clasps “Iraq 2003” and “ICAT”)
Afghanistan Campaign Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal
Australian Defence Medal
NATO Medal (with clasp “ISAF”)
Army Combat Badge
Returned from active service badge
RSL Service: Joined the RSL in 2008, joined the committee of North Bondi RSL
Sub-branch as a general committee member in 2012 before later becoming
Honorary Secretary. Since 2013 I have been Vice President of the Sub-branch.
Business Skills:
Completed Bachelor of Economics and Social Sciences at the University of
Sydney and previously worked in management consultancy at the accounting
firm KPMG. During my time serving as a military fellow and research director at
two think tanks (Lowy Institute for International Policy and US Studies Centre) I
have managed and been accountable for multimillion dollar budgets, as well as
the relevant corporate governance and reporting requirements. I have also
managed teams, worked with non-profit groups, corporate sponsors, and
governments at state and federal level.
Since I transitioned from the Army I have worked extensively on veteran’s
issues, defence policy, and military strategy. I have published two books on these
topics, including Anzac’s Long Shadow which generated national attention for the
needs of veterans who have served our country.
Importantly, I understand how the RSL operates at a local, state, and national
level and the governance and ethical requirements necessary to operate a
trusted charity. I have worked with a range of other ex-service organisations as
well.
I understand how to engage with the media and public, and have done so in
support of the RSL’s objectives. I was the military consultant to the award
winning TV documentary Afghanistan: Inside Australia’s War, which screened in
2016 and have also contributed to a range of other TV programs on Gallipolli and
the importance of Anzac.
Director/Management Training:
Finance for non-financial managers course, University of Sydney CCE, Diploma of
Government, Diploma of Personnel Management (Royal Military College)
Professional qualifications and affiliations
Bachelor of Economics and Social Sciences (University of Sydney)
Masters of Arts in Strategy and Policy (University of NSW)
Military Courses: Cavalry Officers Regimental Course (School of Armour), Arabic
Short Course (ADF School of Languages), Special Operations Planning Course,
Information Operations (ADF Warfare Centre), Joint Operations Planning Course
(ADF Warfare Centre), Chemical Biological Nuclear Radiological Defence Adviser
(School of Military Engineering), Certificate IV in Workplace Training and
Assessment (Combat Arms Training Centre).
Current and previous appointments to boards:
Advisory Council, University of Sydney Skills Training and Reintegration
Initiative for Veterans Education (Strive)
Appointed as Chair, NSW Veterans Affairs Minister’s Contemporary Veterans
Forum
I have not previously been a State Councillor or director of RSL Lifecare.
Statement:
The continuing welfare of our veterans and their families depends on the RSL
being strong, relevant, and enduring. We must work hard to restore +trust
amongst our members and in the public eye. We must preserve the mateship
and tradition that is at the heart of our organisation as we look to new ways to
guarantee our financial stability and build greater strength as an advocate for
veterans. Greater transparency and more listening to the needs of Sub-branches
is critical. It would be a privilege to serve the RSL, and to help ensure that all
generations of those who have served and those still serving have a voice.