Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an absolute privilege for me to reach out to you all in my first year as Corps RSM of the Royal Australian Corps of Transport. I would like to extend a warm welcome to the soldiers and officers who are just starting their careers within the Corps and are receiving this correspondence for the first time.

Firstly, I would like to thank BRIG Natasha Ludwig former Head of Corps for all the work, time and effort she gave to the appointment all whilst commanding 17th Sustainment Brigade. An incredible achievement and the Corps wishes you all the best in you next position as Director General Logistics – Army.

Secondly, I would like to thank WO1 Lance Keighran for all the work he did as the Corps RSM especially in the Corps 50th Birthday year in 2023. The parade and subsequent activities throughout the year were a huge success, all thanks to the many hours you and the HOC Cell invested into an important milestone for the Corps.

I would like to congratulate BRIG Colin Bassett on his appointment as the Head of Corps for the foreseeable future. BRIG Bassett is currently Director-General platforms which will be beneficial for the Corps especially with the introduction of new platforms within the Land Domain into the future.

I have a few points to cover and they are in no particular order.

Subject Matter Advisor (SMA) ECN 218 WO1 Mark Ambrose was farewelled by DHOC LTCOL J Mar Fan on 07 Mar 25 during our recent visit to Maritime Wing. Mark has separated from the ADF, and we wish him all the best for the future.

I would like to congratulate WO1 Dale Reeves (ECN 171), WO1 Robert Foster (ECN 218) and WO2 David Young (ECN 035) on their appointments as SMAs for 2025.

I would like to thank all of you who are Corps subscribers, have become Corps subscribers for the first time, or are re-commencing your subscription. The funds raised through the subscription are used for the benefit of all RACT members, to help subsidise RACT Dinners, birthday cakes for Corps birthday activities, to help purchase gifts and SOM awards and mementos for key career milestones.  Without the funds raised through subscriptions the ability to support members of Corps through the above endeavours is limited.

Lastly, the new RACT website is now live and the HOC Cell has previously sent out the link. I encourage all members to provide photos IOT build on the library as a way to document our past, present and moving into the future. Previous Corps journals are available to view or download on the website along with Corps policy statements and link for members to subscribe to Corps funds.

The best method of contact for any Corps related questions or issues is ract.hoccell@defence.gov.au

Kind Regards

WO1 Ritchie