Australian officer upholds tradition of service

By Megan Paice, RDECOM Public AffairsJuly 11, 2017

Lt. Col. Leslie Juckel
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- With his father having served alongside the U.S. Army's 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, it seemed a natural progression for Lt. Col. Leslie Juckel to enter the Australian Army.

This decision led to his role as an officer commanding a Signals Squadron and, eventually, becoming the current Australian Foreign Liaison Officer, or FLO, to the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command.

Juckel's father was part of the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, in 1965. During the Vietnam War, his battalion was the first Australian unit to serve with U.S. Soldiers, as part of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

"It seemed to be a natural progression growing up around all things Army, leading to my graduation from the Royal Military College into the Signals Corps," Juckel said.

In the Australian Army, Juckel has participated in joint exercises and deployments, but his current position at RDECOM, which began in 2016, is his first post in the continental U.S.

In addition to working with RDECOM's six research, development and engineering centers and the Army Research Lab, Juckel works with other Army organizations, such as the Army Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, Ga., and the Program Executive Office for Command, Control and Communications-Tactical at APG.

"My areas of responsibility are broadly spread across two areas -- acquisition and the alignment of research and development organizations."

Juckel is the liaison between the R&D and S&T communities, including a host of RDECOM scientists and engineers, and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group.

With similar R&D and S&T requirements, acquisition processes and future challenges, sharing advancements and results between U.S. and Australian organizations helps avoid duplication of effort and maintains interoperability.

"We actively invest in U.S. technology and try to exchange as much information as possible," he said.

His favorite part of the FLO program is people.

"My contact officer, Randy Everett [in RDECOM's International Cooperation & Exchange office], has taken great care of me. It's good for me to influence and put coalition perspectives into people's minds. For me, it's a great opportunity for us to put that consideration forward in various programs."

As a career officer, Juckel considers the opportunity to lead Australian Soldiers on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan a big highlight and accomplishment.

Before arriving in the U.S., Juckel worked in acquisition for the Australian Army communication programs.

"That was a challenging and complex environment but after four years, it is satisfying to know you made a difference to the future of the Army's capabilities," he said.

After nearly 18 months as a FLO, Juckel has curated some fond memories, including a trip to the Kennedy Space Center where he and his wife experienced a satellite launch.

He said he misses a few things from home, including meat pies, chiko rolls and iced coffee.

On July 4, 2018, the Australian Embassy will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Hamel in WWI, the first time Australian and U.S. troops fought side-by-side.

With his father a U.S. ally in Vietnam, Juckel understands the important tradition of continued coalition operations that Australia shares with the U.S.

"I am proud that my family has a couple generations serving in joint operations with the U.S. and believe in the importance of our alliance, now and in the future."

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The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command has the mission to provide innovative research, development and engineering to produce capabilities for decisive overmatch to the Army against the complexities of the current and future operating environments in support of the Joint Warfighter and the Nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.

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