Certa Cito: A Century of Connection

From the early days of Morse code, telegraph wires, and radio, to today’s advanced satellite communications, cyber operations, and electronic warfare, the Royal Australian Corps of Signals (RA Sigs) has been the backbone of connectivity for the Australian Army. For 100 years, the Corps has enabled secure and reliable communications across every operational environment.

Today, RA Sigs leads the way in electronic warfare, signals intelligence, telecommunications, IT, and cyber security, providing the critical communications infrastructure that supports the Army’s mission success.

In 2025, RA Sigs proudly celebrates its centenary. To mark this historic milestone, we sat down with our Managing Director, Brad Junk-Gibson, who served with RA Sigs for an extraordinary 38 years.

This week, Brad had the honour of joining Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Corps of Signals, to commemorate 100 years since the Corps’ formation.

Read on to find out Brad’s reflections and the defining moments of his service.

Joining the Corps: A Journey Begins

As a young man living in Perth back in 1986, I wondered what I was going to do that goes beyond WA, so I joined the Army and landed in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals. I was allocated as an Operator and commenced my first course as a Keyboard operator, hence my amazing ability to type at 60 wpm. I went on to do my Radio course, Cypher and standard promotional courses in the corps.  

Since its official formation on 14 February 1925 (when Army Order 71 transformed the Signal Engineer units of the Citizen Forces into a dedicated corps), RA Sigs has evolved dramatically. Back then communication was flags, lamps, and Morse code. It's a far cry from today’s cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. But one thing stands out throughout, the Corps has always been at the forefront of military communications.

A Community of Signaller

At this year’s centenary events, starting at the RMC Mess in Canberra on 14 February, I’ve taken time to look around and appreciate the crowd. That's the veterans, families, young officers and soldiers, who are all part of the Australian Signals community.

Over 100,000 signallers have served since World War I. Today, the Corps boasts over 3,000 trained personnel, with hundreds joining each year. The motto Certa Cito—“Swift and Sure”—continues to resonate.

40 Years of Reflections

Over my 40 years, I’ve operated comms equipment that many today may not even recognise. For nostalgia (and a chance to Google), my journey started with the AN/PRC-77 (VHF), AN/PRC-25, AN/PRC-F1 (HF), AN/GRC-106, MD-522A CRATT, AN/UGC-74, AN/VRC-46, Raven RT-F100 and RT-F200, AN/PRC-117, AN/PRC-152, MBITR, and many more I can’t recall or can’t disclose.

From sending data over CRATT to SATCOM on the move, I've witnessed the Corps’ transformation. From bulky field radios to portable devices accessing classified networks from a briefcase and all things in between.

In the last 20 years, I transitioned into Capability Development, managing Defence projects and preparing the Corps for the future. It was a privilege to work on JP2072, L75, L200s, L4100s, DEF500, and SOCOMD’s Redfin, Bluefin, and Greyfin programs. 

A Celebration to Remember

This year, centenary events have taken place across Sydney, Brisbane, and Canberra, culminating in Corps Week this November. The final celebration will be a symbolic 100km bike ride around Canberra, beginning and ending at RMC. A fitting tribute to a century of service.

At every event, I take a moment to reflect. Behind every battlefield victory, humanitarian mission, and secure transmission, there was a signaller—swift, sure, and silent. It just happens.