20 July 2025
Sitting at the far edge of the Army’s Land Domain Training Systems is Advanced Collective Training, which provides an opportunity to put into practice weeks, months and often years of military learning within an integrated, combined and realistic warfighting scenario.
Inside the 2nd Health Battalion’s Role 2 Echo (enhanced) hospital sits a perfect mix of different trades and training pathways that come together to provide critical care to Australian members in the field.
Dissatisfied with her career in sales and administration, Corporal Jade Hipkiss-Winder identified an opportunity as an Australian Army medic and the rest, as they say, is history.
“Not long after I made the decision, I was on a bus to Kapooka,” Corporal Hipkiss-Winder said.
“From there it was onto Latchford Barracks for 18 months, where I was qualified as an enrolled nurse and received my paramedic qualification, and then began my military training.”
Her training did not end there. On Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, Corporal Hipkiss-Winder is part of the Hospital Operations cell, tracking casualties and providing planning support. Her changing role highlights the Land Domain Training system’s commitment to provide realistic, continuous and collective training on behalf of Army.
“We are really refining our combined skills to work in hostile environments," Corporal Hipkiss-Winder said.
"For me personally, I’ve moved from the field into the operational space and I’m now learning from the inside looking out how to best care for our casualties.”
Platoon leader Lieutenant Matthew Burgess' training journey started at Royal Military College before he entered the world of military health care.
“I went through RMC, inside of the generalist officer space, and that set me up for leadership, command responsibility and taught me small infantry tactics,” Lieutenant Burgess, who is from Jimboomba in Queensland, said.
“I have now just completed my Health Officer Basic Course, which has really focused on health management and health planning support, all of which has really come together for this training exercise.”
