Letters
to the Editor
ICB
not a RAAF award
AFTER serving
20 years in the Army, I made a career move to the Air Force.
There was
no break in service and I was able to wear my parachute badge and my
marksmanship badge as there are similar badges in the Air Force honours
and awards system.
However,
I'm not entitled to wear the Infantry Combat Badge (ICB) awarded for
service in East Timor with 3RAR because the Air Force doesn't have an
award similar and the ICB is a single service award.
I have
received response back through the chain of command stating that the
dress manual does not allow for the wearing of the ICB or the submariners
badge if ex-Navy. I was aware of this, I read the dress manual prior
to joining.
Why is
there such negativity in the Air Force towards these two awards and
why can't the dress manual be changed to allow service members who have
served in other services to wear awards that highlight the diversity
in our Defence Force when members are given the opportunity to service
transfer.
Currently
all medals that I have been awarded were for Army service; however I
am unable to wear the ICB that I am very proud of and believe that as
a serving member I should be able to wear.
Past-serving
members are able to wear this award on recognised uniforms such as police,
ambulance, taxi, etc.
Does the
CDF have the power to add weight to this request. Of note the CDF, although
Army and a recipient of the ICB, represents the entire ADF.
Flt-Lt C.W. Drew
395 ECSW
RAAF Base Townsville
DCOORD-AF Gp-Capt Grant MacDonald responds:
The decision as to what embellishments are worn on military uniforms
is the prerogative of each individual Service, with the resultant badges
reflecting the role and traditions applicable in each case, eg RAAF
flying brevets.
The Air
Force policy on the wearing of badges awarded by another Service or
country is that if an equivalent RAAF badge exists then the RAAF badge
may be worn.
However,
if no equivalent badge exists, then the original badge may not be worn.
While the ICB recognises service which is relevant to the Army's role,
such activity is not related to the core business of the RAAF, and therefore,
there has never been a requirement for badges or brevets depicting field
combat experience on Air Force uniforms.
Hence,
there is no equivalent embellishment which may be worn by personnel
entitled to wear the ICB who transfer to the RAAF .
Navy and
Army have similar dress regulations and a number of Air Force brevets
and badges, which have no equivalence in those Services, cannot be worn
by members transferring to them from the RAAF.
The current
approach to badges/accoutrements on the Air Force uniform is to restrict
them to those which have direct application to current or future operations.
Not
compulsory
THERE has
been a lot of public comment in NT last year regarding soldiers being
forced to attend boozer parades and being made to drink at these occasions.
There have
also apparently been reports of public complaint being made by partners
of soldiers about the allowed rest and recreation period in Rockhampton
between Exercise Predator's Gallop 03 and Exercise Croc 03 because they
"went on a wild drinking spree ... were given access to their pay
in advance and just blew it".
One of
the benefits of being in the Army has always been the opportunities
provided to build mateship and trust by having a few beers at a sports
parade or at a unit function on a Friday afternoon.
At no function
I have ever attended has drinking been mandatory, and the option has
always been there to continue to work if you didn't wish to attend.
The problem
as I see it is that there are certain soldiers within the ranks who
would rather lie to their partners/wives/girlfriends rather than exercising
restraint.
Perhaps
those members should quit using the Army as an excuse and take responsibility
for their own actions like adults and professional soldiers.
Pte A. Knowlton
HQ 1 Bde
Robertson Barracks, NT
Trying
to save water
CAN somebody
tell me what planet DHA are living on?
Recently
I contacted DHA to inform them that my automatic watering system was
leaking when it was turned on.
Considering
Sydney has been placed on water restrictions and being a responsible
person I felt that it required attention.
To my disbelief
I was told that they would send a plumber around to disconnect the timer.
I thought
I should clarify my request, again told them that the tap does not leak
when turned off, it only leaks when the tap is on and the timer is being
used.
Again I
was told that it was DHA policy to disconnect the timer due to water
restrictions.
Hey, if
I use the timer then I pay the fines, not DHA, so why remove it?
The timer
has since been removed.
I have
several questions:
Would it
not have been cheaper to just fix the leaking timer, than to disconnect
the timer and replace it when water restrictions are lifted?
Who will
be paying for the installation and purchase of a new timer? I bet it
will be us, the users, through higher MQ rates.
Is DHA
going to give all ADF members an undertaking not to bill us for the
dead grass on vacation of our MQ, as my grass is now dead and rapidly
turning to dirt?
How long
after the water restrictions are lifted can I expect the timer to be
replaced so I can water the grass (dirt) again?
WO2 Greg Young
HQ 5 BDE
Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
Keith Lyon, managing director, DHA, responds.
I APPRECIATE WO2 Young's concerns for the effective maintenance of his
DHA home and understand the additional pressures placed on tenants during
the current period of water shortages.
While the
decision to remove the timer was made with the best of intentions I
accept that the explanation to WO2 Young may not have been as sympathetic
or helpful as it could have been.
The use
of timer watering systems is prohibited under the current water restrictions
in WO2 Young's locality.
DHA considered
that in these circumstances it was not necessary to immediately fix
or replace an appliance that cannot be used for the time being.
It is likely
that water restrictions in their current form will continue for some
time. If timers do not experience regular water flow they generally
seize up and require replacement. As soon as the restrictions are lifted
we will contact the member and replace the timer.
I would
like to assure members that DHA's rates are determined by independent
valuers and are unrelated to DHA's maintenance costs, including the
cost of maintaining irrigation systems.
Tenants
have an obligation to maintain their properties and this is important
as properties are turned over and must be in good condition for incoming
tenants.
However,
DHA will also take a commonsense approach to tenant obligations and
take account of water restrictions imposed in the public interest.
This includes
ADF members hand watering where this is permitted and ADF members' circumstances
allow.
In future
where similar situations arise, we will ensure the matter is fully discussed
with affected tenants.
I encourage
any members with similar concerns to contact their local DHA Housing
Management Centre.
Not
given a chance
I FEEL
it a disgrace that in this day and age with the introduction of PmKeys
and other Triservice computer systems, that the Defence Long Service
Medal still gets issued several years after the individual has met the
criteria.
Through
my own personal endeavours I have contacted DPE Honours and Awards on
several occasions and my last response was they are currently processing
December 2001 - this is simply not good enough.
Surely
a procedure change is in order so that the individuals concerned receive
their medal on time.
I have
decided to take discharge at the end of 16-years service and will never
be given the chance to wear my medal with pride while I am in service.
Sgt A.R. Finn
ALTC
Bandiana, Vic
Editor's Note: the Directorate of Honours and Awards has declined
to reply to letters on medals issues.
Audacity
and outrage
WITH reference
to Sgt Southern's letter, "Ups and downs of C130s," [Army,
February 12]. It has always been my experience when working with the
RAAF that they are a highly professional, disciplined and efficient
arm of the ADF. I can't believe Sgt Southern's audacity in calling our
flying brothers in arms "civvies in uniform" and his outrageous
suggestion that all troop movements be outsourced to Qantas.
I shudder
to think of the amount of times I have been delayed by Qantas in both
Australia and around the world.
Sgt Southern,
while we are outsourcing our Air Lift capability why don't we also outsource
our catering capability to McDonald's? I hear their new tastes menu
is just what the troops are asking for.
Lt S.D. Richards
ARTC,
Blamey Barracks, Kapooka
Cook
a pot of harden-up
GT Southern
[Army, February 12], after years of service I would like to point out
that the RAAF have never failed to get me and the many other military
members safely home from overseas or from around Australia.
Yes, at
times I have been delayed and inconvenienced, but how long has it been
since you flew on a civil aircraft - it happens all the time.
You have
never had a vehicle breakdown or arrive late? If a light is indicating
a fault on the C-130 aircraft, that is not the aircrew's fault. Did
you ever think there is a good reason why the crew may not take it into
the air - such as, it may crash?
I thank
God the aircrew are professional and don't take the aircraft into the
air and put all lives on board at risk.
I'm sorry
if the RAAF has a priority like the support of combat operations, medical
evacuation of Bali bombing victims or other people both military and
non-military that the RAAF consistently support, and save lives in doing
so.
I find
it disappointing that as a SNCO you would dishonour not only serving,
but also fallen member, of the RAAF or any service by calling them "civvies
in uniform".
But then
again getting you home on time should be priority one to Defence. Did
you have to walk home? Did you get home safe?
I hope
you are good at cooking because you need to cook yourself up a big pot
of harden up and start eating, or go fly Qantas.
WO2 Phillip Sutherland
Combat Arms Training Centre
Puckapunyal VIC
User-friendly
... not
WOULD anyone
else agree with me when I suggest that the electronic copy of the Defence
Security Manual is by no means as user friendly as the old Secman Series?
Try as
I might, I constantly struggle to find simple references and do not
believe that those who have redesigned it have done us any favours.
Capt Stephanie Lacey
Adjutant RTC-VIC
Simpson Barracks, VIC
Food
fit for kings
MOST letters
I write to the Army newspaper are to point out faults in the system
or to point out things that should be looked at. Well, finally a different
letter.
I would
like to thank the cooks who ran the APOD kitchen for Op Anode in the
Solomon Islands. The conditions under tents and the heat/humidity they
worked in were very trying, yet the end product was an excellent meal
every time.
The Christmas
lunch they prepared was fit for a king. I know I am only a corporal
but I would like to say thanks guys and girls, you did an outstanding
job with excellent results.
Cpl T.R Gibson
JMCC
Honiara, Solomon Islands
Ask
the Chief
Would you
like to ask CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy a question? It could be about acquisitions
or uniform, operational tempo or a general welfare issue.
As part
of hearing soldiers' views, CA has agreed to start Ask the Chief
in Army newspaper.
He wants
to know your questions so he can answer them in a future edition as
part of his look back at what the Army has achieved and been part of
in 2003.
As with
Letters to the Editor, it is the right of all soldiers to ask CA a question
through Ask the Chief in Army without using the chain of command.
Submit
your questions in e-mail form to armynews@defencenews.gov.au
with "ask the chief" in the subject line.
From
the kids...
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Dear
Service Person,
First let me express my thanks for your efforts in this war.
My name is Alastair Berg and I am a student at Camberwell Grammer
School in Victoria. I am currently doing year 10.
What you are doing for this country and the free world is a noble
act.
Contrary to any protests or marches you may or may not have seen
or heard of, I give you my full support in what you are doing.
I am proud that you have travelled so far to serve this country
and to represent our people.
I hope this letter has cheered you up and showed you that your country
supports you, stay safe and remember to duck! Alastair Berg.
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