Letters to the Editor

On the pricing front line

I am writing this letter on behalf of all soldiers within my troop and the dissatisfaction towards the service of Frontline Services.
Recently, I enquired about the cost of a new computer and was given a price of a Compaq Presario 5420, not including a monitor, for $2800. Within a week, I got a copy of a catalogue from Domayne with the same computer including a monitor for $2100.
On talking to my local Frontline manager, and asking her if she could get it through Domayne, I was told that their policy has changed and they couldn’t buy direct from them.
I would like to know why the price difference? If Frontline claim they are servicing the soldiers’ needs, why are they making $700 on a computer that has no monitor?
I’m sure there are others out there who agree.
Cpl A. Pitt
17 Const Sqn
Steele Barracks, NSW

Non-profit status?

I have been inquisitive about the non-profit status of Frontline for quite a while now. All of my queries regarding the following letter have been unanswered both through the chain of command and from Frontline reps themselves. It is my hope that publishing a letter will prompt some upper echelon of Frontline to give some answers.
Dispersal cheques? As yet my unit has not received a dispersal cheque.
I have been informed that the cheque is calculated on the number of live-in personnel and the profit obtained by that unit’s designated boozer.
If, in a case like ours, you share that boozer with other units then it is a ratio of yours to theirs. It seems as though a unit is being penalised for having married members.
As with most units in Townsville, we had members deployed during INTERFET. Frontline sold soft drinks to both Australian and UN personnel. Which unit has received a dispersal cheque from any of those sales?
You have to wonder about the validity of calling Frontline non-profit. I hope one day that I could buy shares in Frontline but until that time I will be happy if I could just find out the truth.
Cpl G. Frew
162 Rec Sqn
Lavarack Barracks, QLD.

Andrew Williams, General Manager – Marketing and Operations, Frontline, replies:
I apologise for the delays in response to your communication regarding issues raised regarding Frontline Electrical retail pricing.
Due to the period of time elapsed from the original events I am not in the position to answer the queries raised regarding Frontline pricing compared with a competitor.
It is, however, normal market practice for suppliers to retailers to offer bulk purchase incentives to move their inventory at various times and that such offers may result in a particular retailer obtaining a significant price advantage.
In these circumstances competing retailers such as Frontline are not in the position to meet a heavy level of discount.
It is Frontline Defence Services’ policy to be price competitive at all times with normal activity in the retail market.
It is important for us to get the message out to all our customers the value that Frontline does add and the future initiatives that we are undertaking.

A medal for PMG?

Reading the letter by Maj N. Catchlove (Army, July 4), reference the award of AASMs for service in Namibia led me to think back to submissions made by two successive commanders of the PMG in Bougainville during 2000.
The submissions related to the award of a campaign medal or decoration for service with the PMG, similar to the MFO or INTERFET medals awarded for service in East Timor or the Sinai.
If memory serves, part of the argument put forward was the maintenance of parity in awards for multi-national (not necessarily UN) operations, particularly since – to my knowledge – Bougainville is the only location where personnel are awarded a single decoration. (Think back to Western Sahara, Rwanda, Somalia, Cambodia, Namibia, MFO, et al).
However, two years down the track, no-one I know who served as part of the PMG has heard any more on these submissions, or any additional award. Can anyone tell me what is (or is not) happening in relation to a Bougainville or PMG medal?
If there is to be no additional award, why not, particularly in light of events such as upgrades of ASMs to AASMs, the creation of new awards such as the AASM 1945-1975 and awards such as the MFO or INTERFET medals – awards made for multinational peace keeping/monitoring operations in much the same vein as the PMG.
Cpl D. King
103 Sig Sqn
Lavarack Barracks, QLD

Recognition needed

The recent operational climate has meant that there are now a great many in the Army sporting a chest full of medals (or at least one).
After four months in Bougainville or six months in East Timor, those members can expect to have their ASM, AASM and/or UN Medal presented to them before departing the area of operations, or upon a welcome home-type parade soon after.
I agree that they have earned the recognition, and note that the system is seemingly quite capable of recognising their contribution in a timely fashion.
Why is it then that recipients of the DLSM and/or clasps have to wait for periods any greater than one month to receive their medal or clasp? I would hazard a guess that 15 years service does not just sneak up and surprise the “system”.
Have not members with 15 years service earned the same treatment as those in the fortunate position to put their training and skills to good use in an area of operations, or is this not worthy of timely recognition? The same goes for those eligible for clasps to their DLSM/DFSM.
Maj S. Trotter,
SATCOM-T-SPO,
Russell Offices, ACT

The trials of TRA

After being in the same locality for five years, it was with some trepidation that we received our posting order to move from Puckapunyal to Sydney. However, we would make the most of it.
As I am being posted to 8CSSB in Dundas, I will not be within the normal posting localities for housing. After furnishing a large house within my entitlement in Puckapunyal, imagine my surprise when I was informed I would have to live in a townhouse, as only 5 per cent of housing in Sydney is free standing.
However, I could live in a freestanding house outside the posting locality. The examples given were Liverpool or Richmond. I asked the housing rep if they would like to travel one-and-a-half hours to work each way every day. You can guess their answer.
I then suggested that TRA would be acceptable. No, I was told, not unless I have legitimate reasons for not taking a townhouse. Apparently limited parking for two cars, nowhere to put children’s swings etc, pets and a large amount of furniture were not good enough reasons. They will, however, pay to store my furniture even though it was bought to be used. I was also told that TRA would only be approved after we had exhausted our options and arrived in Sydney.
It was at this stage that I asked housing if they could suggest a good private school to enroll my daughter in for next year, keeping in mind that most enrolments have already closed for the year. They asked what locality I was looking at. If they can’t give me a house or approve TRA how am I supposed to know where I would be living?
Are we really concerned about retention? The Army will soon have another captain vacancy.
Capt P. Rogers,
LWDC
Puckapunyal, Vic

Bob Eames, General Manager Operations, DHA, replies:
DHA aims to provide Defence personnel options when offering housing in all regions of Australia. Unfortunately, market situations in each region, including high costs in some capital cities, mean the types of available housing will vary.
Sydney has a high proportion of medium density housing, particularly in those areas servicing the inner city and harbour Defence establishments.
Because of the cost and availability, freestanding houses are generally only available in the locations serving Holsworthy, Richmond/ Glenbrook.
Wherever possible DHA seeks to acquire properties that have good amenities with access to schools, shopping, transport, spouse employment etc. Some major improvements in regional public transport mean that localities such as Holsworthy are only a 30-minute train trip from the centre of Sydney.
We understand that some Defence members may, indeed, prefer living in or near the centre of the city, in order to minimise time spent travelling to and from work. That is precisely why we try to ensure that we can offer other options, such as townhouses, duplexes or units.
When we are able to provide those options, a Defence member may elect to accept inner city living in limited accommodation in preference to more spacious accommodation in a larger home with garden in an outer suburb.
Our staff do have a good appreciation of the difficulties confronting families when relocating, noting that some 48 per cent of DHA staff are either ex-Defence or are a partner of a Defence member or ex-Defence member.
DHA understands that sometimes ADF members can be dissatisfied with their housing solution and the limited choice available. In these cases members should contact their local HMC to discuss the matter. Alternatively, they may contact us through the Customer Service Line on 1800 249 711.

Twins worth TDY

Recently I heard a story about a serving member whose wife was required to be flown to a capital city for emergency treatment because of complications of a pregnancy. The member’s spouse was to be in hospital for an extended period.
I am told that a temporary duty was arranged so that the member could be near his wife and continue to provide unrestricted service while they awaited the outcome. Twins!
I just had to write in to say well done to those members within the units who instigated the TDY and made the judgements in order to assist the member and his family.
Stories like this are too few and far between.
Lt R. Rice
ALTC
Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla.

Half pay not born

I have been following the implementation of access to Maternity Leave at half pay for Defence members for about the last year.
I have recently contacted FIND again to find out what is happening with the approval of this leave. I was told that the approval for it has been held up because of superannuation problems and will be held up for some time until this is resolved (and to not expect an answer in the short term).
What is taking so long? Don’t we already have the option for taking LSL at half-pay, or PTLWP with no serious problems with superannuation? If we already have these other options shouldn’t it be an easier process to bring something new in that is based on the same principle?
Cpl R. Orth
1JSU
Gallipoli Barracks, Enogerra, QLD

Calling 55 Bn

I am the son of a deceased veteran of 3 Bn 1AIF who served at Gallipoli and later with 55 Bn who saw service in France.
The history of 3 Bn is well documented but I’m unable to trace the history of 55 Bn. Would any reader know of any official 55 Bn publication detailing members who served in the unit and of their operations in France?
The 55th Bn, 8 Bde, 5 Div was formed in Egypt in February 1916 after the remaining men of 3 Bn who arrived back from Gallipoli.
Should such a publication exist, please contact:
N. Clarke
PO Box 327
Bowral NSW 2576
02 4878 9406.

Still citizens

The comments of Cpl Buckingham (Army, September 11) demonstrate a comprehensive lack of understanding of Australia’s Defence realities.
The Navy, Army and Air Force of this country are dependant for their existence on the citizens of Australia, as the citizens are dependant upon the Defence Forces.
Just as the ARA cannot operate without the GRes, nor can the GRes exist without the ARA.
It is an ill-informed person who claims that the soldier is more important than the citizen, or the citizen more than the soldier, for each are inter-dependent upon the other, and each is a part of the other.
Addressing the English Parliament in 1647, Oliver Cromwell said, “When we became soldiers, we did not cease to be citizens!”.
P. Scascighini,
Area Clothing Store,
Randwick Barracks, NSW.

ADGs multi-skilled

In regard to Sgt Bishop’s assertion in Army, August 29, that ADGs should be absorbed by the infantry and the three ADG squadrons should be reborn as IRCs.
His view is a rather simplistic one and obviously made without full knowledge of the roles and tasks of ADGs, nor the history of airfield defence and the complexities of vital asset protection on an airbase.
He also doesn’t seem to know that the AFDSs based at Amberley aren’t the only units employing ADGs.
They are also employed on RAAF bases and training units conducting training and operations in weapons, tactics, search and rescue, and survival (to name a few core subjects).
There is also the not-insignificant situation that ADGs undertake training and perform roles that cross corps boundaries that would upset the green machine– ie, performance of Close Protection duties after undertaking the course with RACMP.
An infantry soldier would require additional training to be able to perform ADG roles.
These are skill sets and training that begin at the earliest stages of the ADG’s development, so it’s not like any old infantry sergeant could just slot in to any ADG sergeant’s job.
While an outward appearance of similarities between ADGs and infantry soldiers exist, the reality is somewhat different.
I should know, I’ve completed a couple of courses at the Infantry Centre, a four-month attachment to A Coy, 8/9RAR, Recon Course at Field Force Battle School and training with the British and US armies.
Flt-Sgt S. Brasher
RAAF CSU Wagga, NSW

Thanks for helping

This letter is to thank and highlight the support given to me by DCO Toowoomba and Psych Section at Oakey.
I recently separated from my wife and, as you can imagine, it was a pretty traumatic time. However, the support given to my wife and I by DCO was really encouraging. The counsellor gave me excellent advice and contacted my wife on numerous occasions to provide assistance. Irene Mullens has really gone out of her way, in her own time, to do her job. This has given me hope where there was no hope before.
Separation is a time of self-reflection and the psychiatrists at Oakey have been instrumental at helping to explore my personal issues that cause life’s calamities.
I strongly urge and recommend to everyone who faces problems to reach out and receive the support that is provided by the ADF. I also urge commanders from corporal up to know your personnel and direct them, in a timely fashion, to help when required.
Certainly any employer that creates such avenues is deserving of loyalty and acknowledgement.
Sgt S. Rogers
171 Ops Spt Sqn,
Oakey, QLD

Compassion needed

In reading the Army August 1 article on Zac the Army Dog, I was reminded of a less-inspiring incident at Holsworthy recently.
The area barber recently lost his wife to illness and not surprisingly this was a great loss both for him and the couple’s pet dog.
To keep him company and to keep the dog from pining for her Mum, this gentleman brought the dog to his barbershop on base and she spent her day curled up next to the heater, neither barking nor making a nuisance.
Most soldiers have a soft spot for animals and the majority of soldiers going in for a haircut would say g’day and give the dog a pat. Unfortunately, one officer did not agree and made a complaint.
The result is that the dog is now locked up at home alone and the gentleman is talking of leaving the Holsworthy shop after 35 years of working there.
I’m sure there is paperwork somewhere saying animals are not allowed on base but surely this is a case of common sense and compassion overruling some petty little bureaucratic regulation. Of course, that is assuming that common sense and compassion are still attributes we want to foster in our officers and soldiers.
Cpl M. Russ
4/3RNSWR
Holsworthy Barracks, NSW

 

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