Letters
to the Editor
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the Chief
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with "ask the chief" in the subject line.
Slip,
slip sliding away
I AM writing
to comment on the article on the new rank slides being introduced for
the new cold weather items (Army, September 25, pages 16-17).
My comments
are as follows:
It appears
we've gone for the lazy option of using the current RAAF NCO rank slides
(AC to WOFF), hence the "Australia" title under the rank insignia.
I know
we're all about joint ops these days, but do we have to pinch the RAAF's
distinctive ranks just to save a few dollars?
No offence
to the RAAF, but I'd like to be recognised as soldier in the field,
not an airman.
In regards
to the officer rank slides, why go to the expense of issuing a new set
with "Australia" on them when they've already been issued
rank slides that will do the trick?
I suspect
it's just to make them look like the ex-RAAF NCO insignia being issued.
Is there
really a need to put a box around the WO2 insignia? Most soldiers should
be able to recognise that the WO2's crown is far larger than the major's
? If you can't see the difference, get down to the RAP for an eye test
immediately!
As an aside,
the British Army has been putting their rank slides on the front of
their smocks for about 30 years now and they've had no problems figuring
out their WO2s from their major's ?
Do we think
our diggers are going to be any different?
WO2 Blair Tidey
1 Int Bn
Victoria Barracks, Sydney
Maj Nick Stanton, ACPEC -AHQ, responds:
Thanks for your letter with respect to the new rank slide.
Let's have
a look at some of the issues you raise. First the implementation of
the slides is not the case of the Army seeking the "lazy option".
All members
of the Army hold a rank and given the number of new clothing items entering
service, Land, Training and Special Operations Command all agreed that
there was a requirement for a centrally located rank slide.
You are
quite correct in stating that the Australian Army has moved towards
a more joint approach in the development and introduction into service
of new clothing. While there is a financial aspect to this, the principal
factor is still related to operational requirements.
When you
consider the fact that all of the ADF's recent operations have been
as part of a multinational/coalition force, moving to a joint approach
with respect to our uniforms makes sense.
If we were
working solely with the British Army, confusion with the rank would
not be a significant issue but we have, and will continue to work with
an enormously diverse range of Defence Forces .
I trust
that you, like the rest of us will wear the new rank slide that bears
our country's name with great pride.
A
low amount
I AM writing
this letter to address the amount available for the ADF Home Loan grant.
Currently,
the ADF offers a home loan to serving defence personnel after six years
of service (without operational service), to the value of $80,000. In
addition, they can receive the Homes Purchase Assistance Scheme (HPAS),
Home Purchase or Sale Expenses Allowance (HPSEA) and the government's
first homeowners grant.
This is
a generous amount if a defence member is posted to Tasmania or South
Australia; however, this can not always be the case. As we are all aware,
the majority of Defence personnel are posted to Victoria, NSW, Queensland
and the Northern Territory.
Which brings
me to my point. property values in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and the
Northern Territory has increased dramatically, and in some cases, as
much as 125 per cent over the past 15 years.
The current
home loan of $80,000, offered by Defence, would only be sufficient to
pay a deposit in some States especially when you take into consideration
that the stamp duty in the Liverpool area of Sydney NSW is averaging
about $16,400.
My suggestion
is to have the loan increased to coincide with the geographic location
a defence member is posted in and to also coincide with the current
market trends. In addition, being able to receive HPAS and HPSEA.
Another
option available would be to open the current $80,000 loan to investment
properties, allowing personnel to purchase properties in their home
states for when they decide to leave the Defence Force. Whatever the
decision, something needs to be done.
It would
make postings to Sydney, Melbourne and Darwin more attractive by not
having a ceiling on the amount available, as long as it was a realistic
amount of course. Taking into consideration that Defence is trying to
encourage personnel to do back to back postings in various locations;
and defence members could be stuck in a location for a period of five
years or more this would substantially ease the burden of being in an
unwanted locality. A Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) could be placed
on personnel who are granted the new loan, as a condition of service,
and have not served 15 years or more, and 97to encourage retention within
the ADF. Retention is an ongoing problem throughout the Services.
It would
give Defence members the chance to have the all encompassing Australian
dream, their own home. Just a little something for providing "unrestricted
service".
WO2 Shane Campbell
IRR
Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
Recognition
due
COLONEL
Bob Breen's book, Giving Peace a Chance, details the story of
Op Lagoon, the deployment of the South Pacific Peace Keeping Force (SPPKF)
to Bougainville in 1994.
It is a
good read about what is fast becoming a forgotten operation.
I confess
to being confused as to why ADF members who deployed on the operation
have not been awarded the ASM.
The SPPKF
was a regionally initiated and UN sponsored peacekeeping force, the
first of its type in our part of the world. The members deployed performed
all of the expected peacekeeping functions, under much hardship and
with limited preparation time.
The ASM
requirement that service be "clearly and markedly more demanding
than normal peacetime service" seems to have been easily met. Indeed,
it was an armed mission with a robust rules of engagement that in some
ways prepared the ground for later successful, albeit unarmed, missions.
In Col Breen's words "Bougainville was a dangerous place in September
1994" and his book certainly supports this.
Workplace
opinion suggests that as the mission did not last 30 days, then there
is no provision for an award although I would dispute this. The ASM
with clasp "Vietnam" was awarded for seven days service to
those who served in Vietnam after the cessation of hostilities there
in 1975.
Moreover,
I understand that ADF members have received the ASM with clasp Special
Operations for service of less than 30 days.
In all,
it would seem petty to deny the ADF members who deployed on what was
an historic peacekeeping mission the recognition they deserve.
Perhaps
Army's readers could be informed in due course as to the official reason
why no award has yet been made.
Capt M.A. Pert
DINTTC
Kokoda Bks, Canungra QLD
Thanks
to SWBTA
I WISH
to extend an open letter to the SWBTA Range Control and ECC Staff for
their outstanding support to 2 Cav Regt and Battle Group Eagle during
the period August to September this year.
In particular
I would like to thank: Maj Ron Harris, WO1 John Webb, WO2 Al Sisley
and Ms Christine Bell.
Their professionalism,
understanding of user requirements and flexibility allowed my regiment
and attachments to train in the most realistic manner during Exercises;
Keldie Cup/ Flashing Sabre, Predators Gallop 03 and Croc 03.
Once again
thank you for your "can-do" attitude and assistance to the
end!
Courage.
Lt-Col A.K. Luke
CO 2 Cav Regt
Robertson Barracks, Palmerston, NT
NZ
part of Z Force
I REFER
to Maj John Liston's article on Z Special in Army, July 31.
I am delighted
that the exploits of this unit have now been recorded for posterity.
It is a pity that I was not aware of this project as I am in contact
with two of the four remaining survivors who could have added a significant
contribution.
I refer
to Sgt Frank Wigzell (AKS 173) 2 NZEF, one of some 20 New Zealand personnel
seconded to Z Special. His recent book: New Zealand Army Involvement,
Special operations Australia, is a detailed account of his service with
Z Special and SSgt Graham Greenwood( AKS179).
I note
that Maj Liston fails to mention New Zealand in the composition of Z
Special. I remind all that the "Z" in Anzac has a meaning
and it should not be forgotten.
Also worth
a mention is the fact that both the NZSAS Association and their Australian
counterpart have recognized Z Special as one of their own and brought
them into the SF community.
I am endeavouring
to obtain Australian recognition for the NZ members of Z Special in
the form of the Australian Service Medal 1939-45. If anybody can provide
supporting evidence for this entitlement I would be pleased to hear
from them.
Kevin Bovill,
Unit 2, 84 Zenobia St,
Palmyra WA 6157
Credit
where credit is due
OVER the past several years there have been numerous changes to our
removal systems which have often fallen short of the mark.
Those that
were posted over the 2001/2002 Christmas period will no doubt know what
I mean.
However,
credit where credit is due.
I recently
submitted my removal paperwork as requested by DHA (noting they received
my posting order before I did) and have been very impressed with the
service received.
Both DHA
and Toll Transitions have processed my paperwork with utmost efficiency
and I know three months before my removal date the amount of my allowances,
who is conducting my move and even which motels I am staying in.
This is
a vast improvement over the last removal conducted by the same organisations.
Well done
to DHA and Toll Transitions on getting the system to work as it should.
Lt-Col Lyndon Anderson
CO 11CSSB
Lavarack Barracks, QLD
The
benefits of MSBS
I WOULD like to congratulate Maj Priestly, Army, August 14, on his great
memory regarding the fact that the employer benefit of MSBS was originally
going to be indexed to the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings.
While I
wouldn't bet my first born on the fact, for as long as I can remember,
the employer benefit has been indexed in line with CPI.
As to the
other comments by Maj Priestly and WO2 Fardell in the same edition,
there have been very few changes specifically to MSBS over the years
since its inception.
Rather,
federal governments of both colours have changed superannuation rules
and as a complying fund.
MSBS has been affected like every other complying fund.
What both
these gentlemen fail to acknowledge is that for every ADF member who
does less than 20 years, MSBS is by far a better fund than DFRDB ever
was and to let you into a little secret, for those who serve to CRA,
or are made redundant, it is also a better deal.
I understand
that historically, at the time of changeover in 1991, no more than a
third of people ever did 20 years or more, so two thirds are immediately
better off now than they would have been if DFRDB had still been in
existence.
There is
no doubt that if you were going to do more than 20 years and were not
going to serve to CRA or very close to it, you were better off staying
with DFRDB.
For those
who made the wrong choice, my commiserations.
However
we all make some bad decisions in our lives and when they are irreversible,
the best thing to do is to forget about it and move on.
Maj Nick Read
OP Citadel
East Timor
What
value a life?
I ATTENDED
the presentation on the New Military Rehabilitation and Compensation
Scheme at RAAF Williams in Melbourne on July 22.
I found
the presentation informative, however, there was one aspect of the proposed
scheme with which I disagree: the value of compensation to a family
upon the death of a member.
The presentation
implied that the family of a member who has died as a result of warlike
service would receive a significantly greater amount than that received
by a family of a member who died as a result of peace-time service.
The presenters
justified this difference by citing it as a stipulation from ex-serving
organisations.
Apart from
the name placed upon the situation, whether it be; warlike, non-warlike
(peacekeeping), or in a training/exercise environment, there are glaring
similarities:
- In these
situations a defence member has lost their life.
- All members
signed on the same dotted line to serve their country unconditionally.
- The difficulty
it places upon their families is the same.
Although
financial compensation is never adequate for the loss of a loved one,
to imply that the compensation is dependant upon the environmental circumstances
is derogatory of the service provided by soldiers, sailors and airman
not deployed in "warlike" situations.
A death
as a result of an accident in training, peacekeeping or general duties
places the same financial burdens upon the family as a loss during war.
The presentation
made it clear that the new scheme was trying to help the member, but
this part of the new scheme actively discriminates between families
for the same tragedy.
It is my
opinion this part of the proposed scheme should be reviewed to the end
that the compensation to the family should be the same regardless of
the environment in which the death occurs.
I encourage
all members to look over the information on the scheme at DPE's website
http://www.defence.gov.au/dpe/militarycompensation2003/default.htm
and to voice their opinion on this matter by writing to the DPE at militarycompensation.2003@defence.gov.au
Capt I.J. Stewart
DMO
RAAF Williams,
Laverton, VIC
We
are better off
STOP your
whingeing. Have a look at your civilian neighbours who pay rent. Even
with excess water charges, we are a hell of a lot better off.
Air conditioners
in Darwin - don't use them and you won't have to pay for them.
Sgt Marty Baylis
3CSSB
Lavarack Barracks, Qld
Townsville issues
Editor's
note:
The following two letters are in response to the letter from Pte Paul
Carolan, AHQ, published in Army's September
25 edition.
THE Defence
Housing Authority (DHA) is required to supply housing to ADF members,
which meet the standards set down in Defence policy. Service Residences
(SRs) located in Townville have the required facilities as determined
by applicable policy.
There are
some SRs in Townsville that currently do not have TV antennas and outlets.
DHA is resolving this by installing them during the vacancy turnaround
period, as part of DHA's commitment to providing members and their families
with good quality housing. Alternatively, this service can be provided
earlier upon request by the current tenant.
Under this
planning approach, you can be assured your selected SR will have a TV
antenna facility provided before your occupation.
Not all
homes have a dishwasher cavity in the kitchen. There is an alternative
that allows members in a SR without a dishwasher cavity, to use their
appliance and staff from the Townsville office would be happy to discuss
this aspect further with you.
Air cooling
is not an amenity that DHA is required to supply in the Townsville region
under Defence policy. However, five years ago DHA made a decision to
supply air cooling to all bedrooms of newly acquired houses and to retro-fit
some level of air cooling to SRs at the same time.
The aim
of this DHA initiative is to provide an amenity that reflects community
standards for the Townsville region. I acknowledge that, in DHA's pursuit
to continually improve and upgrade the quality of their housing stock,
variations in the fit-out of SRs occur. I invite you to make contact
with the Townsville office of DHA where professional staff will assist
you in selecting a home that is most suitable to your family needs.
Bob Haylett,
DHA Housing Management Centre
Manager, Townsville QLD
Housing
options
THE purpose
of this letter is to provide you with a response that complements the
response by DHA to the Letter to the Editor regarding Group A Housing
in Townsville.
The current
classification system for housing entitlements has been in place since
the early 1990s.
Defence
recognises that this system is prescriptive and rigid, and has not kept
pace with changes in housing standards within the general community.
Defence
Housing and Removals Policy and DHA have been looking at different ideas
for a new way of classifying houses that recognises both the changes
in community standards and provides a suitable contemporary approach
to classifying housing entitlements.
The possibility
of using the length of time served in the ADF as the basis for classifying
housing entitlements was considered briefly. Significant problems were
identified with this idea.
These include
the difficulty in forecasting housing requirements and provisioning
the right houses in the right locations, and the creation of a highly
complex system that would need to also recognise rank, and family structure
as well as length of service.
The idea
is not regarded as practical by either Defence or DHA. We are continuing
to work on options for improving the system for classifying housing
entitlements.
Adrian Wellspring
Director, Housing and Removals Policy
Campbell Park Offices, ACT
Hidden
costs
RECENTLY
I discovered that some allotments made through the Army Pay System are
charged a "Commission" or Administration Fee.
I had never
heard of this fee previously - neither had my local pay rep or the Def
Pac Representative she contacted for further advice.
However,
the fact was that every fortnight on an allotment of $72.20 I was paying
a 40c commission to someone, and had been for several years.
Eventually
I spoke to a Def Pac employee in Canberra who confirmed for me that
on some allotments to certain organisations (banks and non-government
organisations excluded) there was a 2.75 per cent charge applied.
Apparently
this charge has been in place for several years, as was confirmed by
the recipient of my allotment who I had been consistently underpaying
for several years.
The point
I make is that I don't believe this practice of charging a commission
has been well advertised, leading to cases like I experienced where
the amount allotted was not sufficient to cover the financial responsibility.
Members
should be advised of any extra costs incurred when they approach their
pay office to make an allotment thus allowing them to allot the necessary
amount to cover the expense.
For those
with allotments to Defence Health, you also are paying this administration
fee, however, the employee from Def Pac could only surmise that Defence
Health include the 2.75 per cent charge to their fees, thus ensuring
they receive their full fee.
WO2 A. Shackleton
Army Bravo Sqn,17 Div
ADFA, ACT
ERS
was there
I WOULD
like to make an addition to your article "Who'll Be There"
(Army, August 3, page 4).
As it was,
the Emergency Response Squadron (ERS) used to be a small unit unto themselves,
but have now come of age and are part of IRR.
Now that
we are part of a larger unit, I assumed we would be recognised but that
was not the case. It is now that I write this as this is not the first
time we have been left out and not been acknowledged for the work we
do.
So now
in saying that, I would like to add that 1 Tp ERS from Darwin was at
Croc 03 too, and will be there for many exercises to come.
LCpl G.S Christensen
1 Tp ERS
Robertson Barracks, Darwin.
Weak
link in admin
I WOULD
like it to be known that there is a weak link in the administration
process for serving members be it human or technological error.
Having
done my part of moving paperwork through the chain, why does it take
10 or so weeks for it to be processed.
In that
time money has been paid to me for which I was not entitled.
Before
you say "that's why you should look at your SVA", one should
have an SVA to consult so one can rectify a pay fault.
The topic
of my disgust is the rate of pay for a living out member changing to
a living in member.
So I am
now left with a $600 system debt backdated to March with which I had
no warning money would be deducted - thanks.
Spr Casey Millwood
1CER,
Robertson Barracks, Darwin
The
myth of tax-free pay
I NOTICE
that the myth of tax-free Army Reserve pay has yet again raised its
uninformed head.
Sgt J Bannerman
[Army, September 25], should know
that Army Reserve pay is indeed taxed.
However,
so that the Army does not lose the services of the corporate and industrial
executives needed for co-ordination of a war effort, the tax component
is removed before payment.
That way,
Reserve pay is not added to earned income and then taxed. If that happened,
highly paid members of the Reserve would end up paying the Government.
Because
of the tax arrangement, reservists receive considerably less pay for
their day's work than regulars of the same rank and cannot claim any
tax back.
As for
"other allowances", reservists receive a small attendance
allowance, which, for most members, doesn't even cover the cost of the
petrol used to attend.
Without
the "commitment and service" mentioned by LCpl Elmore, the
Army Reserve would cease to function.
Capt S.H.Crane
Advanced Education Wing,
Blamey
Education Centre
Gallipoli Barracks,
Enoggera, Qld
Regiment,
not a battery
JUST going
through the internet looking at the Army newspaper, through the article
"Galloping into ex" [Army, September 5] when I see that the
units mentioned for the live fire, one of the units was incorrectly
named, it states " 8/12 Mdm Bty" when it is named 8/12 Mdm
Regt.
Cpl Chris Thorne
Defence Force Recruiting
Defence Plaza, Melbourne VIC
Editor's Note:
Well spotted and thanks for reminding us to pay attention to detail.
Short,
sharp shock?
I KNOW
this borders on the tediously trivial, but do you know the origin of
the phrase "Short, sharp shock?"
It has
taken on a currency of its own, but as I recall, it is from a report
a British commander sent back to England from the American colonies
in reference to his expectation that his upcoming attack (and capture)
of New York City would bring the colonists back into line.
Of course,
our President George has reinvigorated the concept with "Shock
and Awe".
Thanks
for your time and diligence. It was a pleasure reading your publication
while searching for this bit of information.
Maj Roger C. Delight,
USAF/California Air National Guard (ret.)
rdelight@comcast.net
Editor's Note:
"Short, sharp shock" was the headline used on June 5 edition's
centre feature on DFCE.
Call
for former cadets
WE ARE
seeking to to find any of the former cadet members from 201 RCU Dee
Why that are currently serving in the Army.
The cadet
unit was established in 1985 at Beacon Hill High School.
It is now
based at 7 Fd Regt, 40 South Creek Road, Dee Why.
We are
seeking to put together a contact register to enable us to keep in contact
with former members.
Thanking
you for your assistance.
Capt Laurie Hawthorne AAC
OC 201 RCU
Dee Why, NSW
rcu201@yahoo.com.au
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