The strength of Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Royal Brunei Armed Forces' (RBAF) people-to-people connections was on full display during a people-focused ‘Human Performance and Workforce Interaction Program’ as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 in Brunei.

Recruitment, career management, retention and workforce design were all key topics in the two-day workshop that involved Royal Australian Air Force Director of Personnel, Group Captain Suzi Keddie, and her team engaging with RBAF counterparts on both defence forces' number-one capability, their people.

"Working with our Bruneian counterparts to examine deep people challenges from how we recruit, retain and manage our valued members provided the opportunity for information exchanges to learn from each other," Group Captain Keddie said.

"These peer-based exchanges enable both nations to share valuable knowledge on the similar kinds of issues we face, while fostering relationships at the personal and organisational level that are essential to achieving a common understanding of shared security challenges."

The program included a tour of the RBAF Performance Optimisation Centre (POC), Sports Medical Centre and Human Performance Lab.

“It was interesting to learn about the strategic role the POC plays for the RBAF in prevention, management and rehabilitation of training and operational injuries among their Armed Forces personnel,” Group Captain Keddie said.

The facility also includes a diagnostic facility, rehabilitation facility and an advanced physiotherapy treatment centre.

Enhanced military-to-military engagement activities between the ADF and RBAF not only provide training opportunities but build connections between both of the defence forces while forging people-to-people links that foster trust, cooperation and enhanced interoperability in the long-standing defence partnership.