Hip-pocket increase
SOLDIERS will receive a boost to their pay on December 5 when the first pay rise under the new ADF Workplace Remuneration Arrangement (WRA) lands in bank accounts.

6RAR strikes swiftly
PLATOON rivalries were fought out recently during Exercise Strike Swiftly, the 6RAR Platoon Competition, at Wide Bay where minimal points separated first and last place.

Keep cool in the pool
THE thermometer is rising in Townsville and units have headed to the Lavarack barracks pool to cool off.

Studying the rules of engagement
THE Asia Pacific Centre for Military Law gathered military members of several nations together in Sydney for a recent course in operational law.

Multi-user depot opens in Victor Horbour
Residents and visitors in Victor Harbor, South Australia, could have been forgiven recently if they thought the Army had invaded the town.

First nurses forum held
THE inaugural ADF Nursing Officers Forum was held at ADFA recently, focusing on nursing practices, health care and leadership.

9 Bde stars in Adelaide
The Adelaide community has clearly displayed its support and interest in the ADF with more than 50,000 people crowding RAAF Base Edinburgh for its first open day in six years.

Playing up a storm
BRITNEY Spears had better watch out because Musn Megan Holmes has started her journey to the top.

Luxury leases way of the future
Resort-style accommodation is the vision for soldiers’ holidays in the future.

Aim for total accuracy
RECORDING and measuring each shot from the mound with instant feedback from the target would refine marksmanship principles.

The French connection
In the early hours of November 13, about 102 soldiers from A Coy, 6RAR, conducted the first phase of the French-led joint exercise Croix De Sud in New Caledonia.

New policy on variable working hours issued
Soldiers who work long and irregular hours can now apply for variable working hours.

Review any duty travel to south-east Asia
CDF Gen Peter Cosgrove has directed that duty travel to south-east Asia should be reviewed in line with revised travel advisories from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

1 Bde tests new BCSS release
Soldiers from 1 Bde recently had a good look at the next generation of command support software they will be using from next year.

Data storage upgrade to cost $20 million
DEFENCE’S data storage needs are to get a boost with the announcement of a $20 million project covering 150 sites in the next three years.

Roaches gather from around Townsville
THE 100th birthday of the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps (RAAOC) was celebrated by all RAAOC personnel in the north Queensland area at Lavarack Barracks last month.

Cutting down hot air
CORPORATE Services and Infrastructure – Sydney Central (CSI-SC) has revamped its Defence Plaza complex to reduce greenhouse gas emission with the help of the Defence Energy Efficiency Program (DEEP).

ADFPC-C staff hard at work
REMEMBER when your last pay increment or debt recovery was incorrectly input and you were disadvantaged as these issues could not could be fixed at short notice?

US comforts Australia
There was not a dry eye in the house at the Memorial Service in Washington for the Australians slain in Bali as acclaimed guitarist Tommy Emmanuel played a soulful and searching rendition of the moving ballad.

5/7RAR take control
AUSBATT 7, the 5/7RAR Bn Gp, hit the ground running when it took over responsibility for AO Matilda earlier this month as part of UNMISET.

Digital bugles tested at US vets funerals
The US Department of Defense is studying the use of a digital bugle to render taps at veterans’ military funerals.

AUSMIN talks focus on global effects against terror
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, and the Minister for Defence, Robert Hill, met with the US Secretary of State Gen Colin Powell (Rtd) and US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld at the annual Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) in Washington DC recently.

Brits plan to equip tanks for desert
PLANS are being drawn up by the British Army for the desertisation of 234 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks.