Meet our graduates: Daniel Kent – from the rugby field to national security

Growing up in coastal Macksville, NSW, Daniel Kent's path seemed set – weekends at the beach, camping, playing representative rugby. 

"I had a very normal working-class, coastal childhood”, he reflects. 

But beneath this quintessentially Australian upbringing lay a deeper calling. 

After serving in the Australian Defence Force, a career in the prison systems of NSW and Queensland and a law degree, Kent found himself drawn to the complexities of national security. 

"I am passionate about ensuring the safety and well-being of all Australians and am motivated to be in a role where I can provide a contribution to achieving this”, he says. 

This drive led him to pursue a Master of National Security Policy at the Crawford School of Public Policy and the ANU National Security College. 

The transition wasn't always smooth. "I never envisaged though that I would complete a Masters at a top university in the Australian capital though, especially at the age of 39”, Kent admits. 

Yet his experience at Crawford proved transformative, particularly through his participation in a research subject, the Applied Policy Project for the Office of National Intelligence. 

"What was especially beneficial with studying at Crawford was the access to highly experienced practitioners with vast practical experience and knowledge to impart”, Kent says. 

This hands-on experience revealed the intricacies of global security. 

"I had very limited understanding of the staggering effects of international policy on such national security concerns as supply chain dependence, critical minerals and overall geoeconomics”, Kent explains. 

His project work examining Australia's critical technology capabilities opened his eyes to the complexity of modern security challenges. 

"What I learned from trying to come to recommendations when weighing such conflicting and intersecting interests was that there is no easy answer, and often trade-offs between interests are required”. 

Now poised to begin his role in the APS Graduate Lawyer program, Kent offers this advice to prospective students: "Be open to new ideas. Think widely and strategically, read broadly, and remember that in today's geopolitical climate, no policy issue exists in a vacuum”. 

For those considering following in his footsteps, Kent’s career and academic pathway show that practical experience combined with academic rigour can open new doors for those seeking to contribute meaningfully to national security. 

As he puts it, "Studying at Crawford, namely the NSC was a great experience I would recommend for any graduate who wishes to understand the myriad of risks and opportunities facing Australia's national security”.