Letters to the Editor

Put us in the picture
Cadet general seeks new image
Federation star
Scheyville service
Wrong ring
Now getting it all in the report
Cadet history

Fire for Effect

How to write to Army News

Put us in the picture

Unfortunately, Army news can’t give every story a full page. Photo by Pte Shannon Joyce, Army newspaper

RECENTLY the Army Newspaper printed an article about one of the milestones in Australian Army intelligence history, that is, the presentation of the Governor’s General banner.

As mentioned in the article, the banner was presented for outstanding service, and awarded for great service.

Now in saying all this, I was somewhat taken back when I opened the paper to find that such an a event was given such little recognition, page five one small photo (the heading was close to the same size as the photograph).

I contacted the paper and was informed that ads and other articles needed space as well, and that was all they could provide.

On close examinaiton of the paper (looking for areas that could have been reduced or taken out), I found the following: page three a picture of a dog in a field? P10, a large picture of medical staff around a dummy, p12, a picture of the back of a soldiers head, p14, a picture of a soldier (no comment), a two-page spread on pages 18 and 19, p21, a picture of a corporal (I only knew that after reading the caption) and the best waste of space goes to p26, a picture of a soldier doing his impersonation of Da Vinci’s ‘Virtruvian Man’.

Currently I am posted to the Defence Intelligence Training Centre (DIntTC) Canungra, in a non-corps position.

I am a member of the Australian Army Public Relations Service (AAPRS), and have been for the past 19 years, as well; I was the photographer who took the photos for the parade.

It may sound like I am a little egotistical, reference Army not printing more pictures, not this time, not after 19 years of photos being published both in Army and the world print media.

In this situation I believe that Army newspaper has not justified AustInt coverage that the corps fully deserve, for such a highlight in their corps history.

Could the editor of Army newspaper please explain the reasoning for the lack of coverage given to AustInt, on an event that will not occur again in their history?

WO2 Wayne Ryan
DIntC, Canungra

Thank you for your correspondence. It is always heartening to have our readership confirm the importance of our publication to them.

As an experienced photographer, I am sure you are aware that newspapers, like all forms of media, need to be multi-dimensional to be successful communications mediums.

They must offer material that suits a range of interests, from news in your case, through to sport, health and entertainment.

While we try to cover as many aspects of the Army community as possible, there are always space limitations owing to financial and staffing considerations.

When setting priorities on news items there are many aspects to take into account, recognising the valuable contribution made by individual units is just one, as is the Chief of Army’s requirements and the perceived overall interest in an article by our wider audience.

Allocating space to stories and balancing priorities is an aspect of the industry that editors face every day. Some times we get it right, sometimes not. Space precludes me offering a more indepth reply to your letter.

I would be only too happy to provide a more comprehensive answer if you would care to drop me an e-mail – Editor.

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Cadet general seeks new image

THE recent photograph in the letters section of Army News [edition 1107, October 7] published to ‘illustrate’ a letter from a correspondent is a false representation of the Australian Army Cadets.

The photo has obviously been staged, as the child represented is hardly aged between 12½ and 18 years, the required age to be part of the AAC – one of this country’s leading youth development organisations.

The name-plate on the adult-sized uniform would suggest that it belongs to the Army News reporter Pte Shannon Joyce.

This sort of tabloid journalism is a disappointment and is not representative of the 16,600 Australian Army Cadets who wear the uniform with pride.

The AAC HQ would like to view the parental consent form that is mandatory for public depictions of Australian Army Cadets in the media.

This HQ requests the Editor of Army News to print a clarification in regards to the origin of the photograph, which is clearly an unfair and unrepresentative depiction of cadets in 2004.

Furthermore, if Army News requires current images of Australian Army Cadets, the national HQ has an extensive library of photographs (with parental consent) that depict Australia’s youth wearing the AAC uniform with dignity.

Brig N.G. Miller
COMD AAC
Canberra

The image in question is not meant to be an accurate representation of a cadet, it is purely photography used as a graphic. You are correct in that it is the uniform of Pte Shannon Joyce.

As letters to the editor do not generally have pictures associated with them, the editor has made an attempt to enliven and draw the reader’s eye to the letters page, this is in keeping with good layout and design and a well accepted practice. There is precedence for the use of incongrous images for this purpose, hence the use of a grossly oversized uniform.

I would draw your attention to previous editions where graphics (photos) have been used to focus attention on letters regarding BMI standards and Townsville gym access, these images do not portray the authors or subjects of the letters — Director

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Federation star

YOUR edition #1105 of September 2004 reported the award of a ‘federation star’ to Maj B.Skinner.
Was that the first time the Federation Star has been awarded on the Defence Force Service Medal?
Also, has it ever been awarded on either the Reserve Force Decoration or Reserve Force Medal?

Maj-Gen Gordon Maitland
37 Cherry St, Warrawee
NSW 2074

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Scheyville service

FOLLOWING on from my letter to the Editor published in Army on July 29, I have had a number of reply e-mails.

The best information I have is that there are definitely seven OTU National Service Officers still serving in the ARA and three still serving in the reserves.

I have also had an e-mail from one non-National Service OTU Graduate who is still serving in the ARA.

Maj Neil Leckie
XO, 8/7 RVR

Anyone who would like to add their names to Maj Leckie’s list, please contact him at neil.leckie@defence.gov.au.

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Wrong ring

I FOUND it quite surprising when I looked at the latest Army front page when I saw a sergeant on the front of the paper wearing his ring whilst dressed in patrol order.

In the current OH&S environment, I find it hard to believe that a sergeant could have forgotten to take his ring off when wearing this form of dress.

Yes he is not in an environment that could involve injury, however it is common practice when wearing anything but barracks dress; rings are either removed or taped up in order to avoid injury.

Sgt D.A. Webb
RMC-A

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Now getting it all in the report

NOW a considerable way through the process of coordinating the annual reporting requirements of my unit, I have gained a new perspective on the difficulty of the task.

In the past (I’m talking two or three years ago), having only held the responsibilities of an assessor, it was my assumption that the complex nature of the AC-833 form suite, with its foundation in Webforms, was due to a “higher requirement” of document merging or data migration at unit level and above.

As an adjutant, I now manage the scheduling, collection, collation and dispatch process at unit level. I have found this process to be quite difficult due to the many steps involved in completing the cycle for each individual.

Extrapolating my assumptions upwards, I can only imagine that at the career management level, staff are going through the same types of handraulic processing that the clerks in my unit are.

On top of this is the training liability in familiarising the SNCO and junior officers with all of the tips, shortfalls and traps across the spectrum of the process.

To cut to the chase, there has to be a better, automated, non-Webforms/Delrina Formflow way of doing this.

I worked at DMO last year and saw some good examples of industry-standard, automated-approval, traceability-tracking software.

Maybe something of a similar nature to those applications could be investigated and modified. My unit clerks have some good ideas, which I’m eager to pass up the chain, but to whom?

Capt Adam Weinert
Adjutant
16 AD Regt

SO1 Information Management Army, Lt-Col Greg Tolcher replies;

Our compliments to Capt Weinert and his staff for their positive inquiry and organisational perspective.

PMKeyS continues to be developed with shared input from many Defence stakeholders.

This includes PMKeyS Self Service (PSS), which in time will be enhanced through the introduction of WorkFlow.

From the end of October, Electronic Preferences and Restrictions will be progressively activated on PSS for Army personnel.

The inclusion of Performance Appraisal Reporting within PSS and Workflow is also under consideration and any input from 16AD Regt would be appreciated and timely.

Suggestions should be forwarded to the SO2 Career Management (SO2 CM), Army PMKeyS Cell, Maj Joanne Rowe, 0408 642 039, who will ensure that the ideas offered are considered by the PSS development team.

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Cadet history

FOR its upcoming centenary, Hurlstone Agricultural High School seeks information on the history of its Army cadet unit.

It is envisaged that an honour roll listing all OCs, CUOs and CSMs will be unveiled at the centenary celebrations.

All names, dates, anecdotes, and so on would be most appreciated. Please e-mail hurlstonecadets@yahoo.com.au or mail Ashleigh Peters at 23 Young Street, Gulgong, NSW, 2852.

SSgt Ashleigh Peters
Hurlstone Agricultural High School Army Cadet Unit
NSWBDE, Australian Army Cadets

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Tracking dogs function
THE Australian Army Trackers and War Dogs Association is holding a function at the Holiday Inn (previously Travel Lodge), Roma Street, Brisbane, Saturday November 27, from 11am to 3pm.

You are invited to join us for a buffet lunch and a good time.

There will be presentations from Military Working Dog handlers, entertainment and and lucky door prizes. Three course meals are $18. It will be a great opportunity to say g’day and catch up with mates we haven’t seen in a long time. Hope you can join us. Partners and guests are welcome. Pay at the door, but let us know if you are coming.

Make up a party of eight or 10 and we can book a table for you.

All proceeds will go to the RSPCA’s Animals in War Memorial. Accommodation is available at the Holiday Inn. Ask for your Trackers Conference Discount.

Bob Bettany, Caboolture, Qld

Bookings are essential: Please ring Bob Bettany on (07) 5498 3006 or 0418 889 141. RSVP by November 22.

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Para book search
DOES anyone out there hold a copy of Eagles Alighting, a history of Australian military parachuting?

If I remember correctly, either the Airborne Association or the Australian Paratroopers Association produced the book in 1999 or 2000. There were only limited quantities and the book is no longer in print.

If anyone has a copy that they would be willing to part with, please contact me on (02) 4964 7065 or david.macphail@defence.gov.au.

Sgt Dave MacPhail, Army FAC Section, RAAF Base Williamtown

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Regie funds change
I NOTE that with effect October 1, the AMFRTF has to introduced a “Fund Maintenance Contribution” to be charged on AMFRTF loans. I was always under the impression that these loans are intended to assist applicants in solving financial problems, without having to borrow money at high interest rates or depend on consumer credit.

In general terms, loans will be made available to those experiencing financial hardship or necessitous circumstances, with priority given to cases where the situation has arisen due to unforeseen circumstances or situations beyond the control of the member.

Additionally, up until September 30, these loans and grants had been interest-free. Will the RAN and RAAF schemes be similarly affected? Finally, now that this charge is being inflicted upon soldiers, why not call it what it is – interest.

Sgt Dave Gabel, CSI-SA / 9CSSB

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Fire your well-aimed shots at a deserving target through the Fire For Effect column.
Keep them short and snappy.

Longer letters will be edited.

HOW TO WRITE TO ARMY NEWS

It is the right of all soldiers to correspond with Army. Soldiers wishing to air their views through letters to the editor have access to the newspaper without using the chain of command.

Letters will be edited for spelling and grammatical errors and newspaper style, and may be edited for space.

Preference is given to typed letters of fewer than 300 words. Letters will be rejected where they are too long, abusive, cover a subject that has been exhausted or can be answered in the author’s unit.

They will be published only when they include the author’s name, unit (where applicable), location and contact number.

Send letters to: The Editor, Army Newspaper, R8-LG-029, Russell Offices, Dept of Defence, Canberra, ACT 2600. Phone (02) 6266 7612, fax (02) 6265 6690 or e-mail : armynews@defencenews.gov.au (Please note this is not an internal e-mail address and therefore requires Sec: Unclassified in the subject line when sending from a DRN terminal)

The opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not represent the views of the editor or the Army.