Letters to the Editor

Every soldier’s day
DHA policy offline
Use reserve MPs
Don’t misunderstand the regiment’s motto
Make a decision
Caught on video tape

Fire for Effect

How to write to Army News

Every soldier’s day

Should Anzac Day be the only occasion on which Australian soldiers take to the streets?Photo by LS Bill Louys, NIU-E

IT MAY sound like I’m beating a dead horse, but why do some people insist on doing this every year. We will stop traffic, march down the main streets of our respective capital, and this makes the old and bold happy.

Now before all of you old and bold get stroppy, lets look at what we have, in the name of the Defence Forces, each year to march: Anzac Day – one for all. Battle of Australia. Long Tan day for Vietnam Vets. Coral Sea day. And the list could, and most likely will, be added to by someone or other who retires and is looking for some way to keep his hand in.

In the beginning, we had the Reserve Forces Day march and it was a bottler. I marched in that one, but no more. I have noted the crowds over the past three years and they are getting smaller, will it get down to the people who are waiting for a bus.

Let’s look at the facts. We are told that we are one Army and that is a part of the ADF. Anzac Day is the day, for not only Veterans to march, but also all serving members. Let us all get our boots on and march on Anzac Day to show the public that we do have one defence force with three services, not four defence forces.

I am a reserve solider of nearly 29 years standing and I’m proud of the fact. As I’m proud of the fact that I have nearly 18 years service with the Army cadets – better drop that or we could have the cadet forces day march.

WO1 R. Wicks
WOTD, SUR
Sydney

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DHA policy offline

I’M SURE that many Defence personnel would be interested to know that, while a cable broadband internet connection service fee is reimbursable following a publicly funded relocation, an ADSL broadband internet connection service fee is not.

For reasons beyond my control, I requested to be moved from my MQ to a different MQ in the same locality. This move was granted at public expense, with the kind assistance of the local DHA staff.

The move required that I have my broadband ADSL service, used for DASS-approved study, disconnected from my original residence and re-connected at the new residence, incurring a re-connection service fee of $139.

When I approached DHA regarding a reimbursement of the re-connection fee, I was advised that, as this fee was not viewed as being for a labour-based service, it was not reimbursable.

I was further informed that a broadband cable connection or re-connection is reimbursable as there is a physical installation of cable from the street to the residence. This reimbursement is also applicable to a cable television connection or re-connection. DHA also advised that a portion of the reimbursement for a cable connection can be claimed from the property owner, as the installation of the cable is classed as a capital improvement to the property
As explained to DHA, an ADSL connection or re-connection uses the existing telephone line, but requires that testing be carried out to confirm that the telephone line is capable of carrying the ADSL signal, and reconfiguration of the exchange from which the telephone line originates. This testing and reconfiguration is done by the carrier (usually Telstra) and charged to the ISP who passes the cost on to the customer. The charging process is the same for both cable and ADSL connection fees.

DHA staff maintained that the testing of the line and reconfiguration of the exchange for an ADSL connection did not constitute labour and was not reimbursable, despite the fact that this fee was payable as a direct result of the disconnection and re-connection of a service following a publicly funded removal.

I believe that a large number of Defence personnel using ADSL broadband, due to the higher cost of a cable connection or lack of street cabling within their locality, are being disadvantaged by this seemingly inequitable policy based on semantics.

Finally, this is not a letter of complaint about DHA staff. At all times during my many relocations, the DHA staff at each locality were helpful and courteous. I acknowledge the fact that the staff assisting me with this complaint were simply applying written policy. It is the policy which is ambiguous in its definition of what constitutes a service labour cost.
Clarification of this policy would be greatly appreciated.

Cpl C. Telford
138 Sig Sqn
Macleod

This letter has been forwarded to DPE for a response.

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Use reserve MPs

I HAVE been in the Army now for 27 years (20 regular, seven reserve) and have a problem with the current employment opportunities being offered to reserve commissioned military police officers.

I am well aware that we are all considered to be GSOs and therefore employable in any staff appointment, but when it comes to a specialist job like policing, I believe I really do have a constructive suggestion to make. As a military police officer I am continuously told that there are no regimental jobs for people of my rank in South East Queensland, so I must be satisfied with remaining a staff officer doing things other than policing.

I believe that there should be a database of reserve MP officers, who do not hold regimental postings, but are used to conduct investigations into matters as directed by higher commands. There are countless investigations being done all over the Army, forced onto officers who are already working a full-time position and, in many cases, may feel underqualified to do such complex or menial (as the case may be) investigations, such as fraud, property theft and sexual harrassment complaints, and still achieve the outcomes of their full time jobs.

Reserve MP’s who are civil police are trained in all investigation, questioning techniques and court document preparation.

The Army has an amazing resource, trained by external authorities at no expense to the service, which we just don’t use and instead keep it in jobs that bear no resemblance to the qualifications these officers hold.

Secondly, it is a well publicised fact that the Federal Police use State Police to supplement their overseas contingents.

I wonder why the Army isn’t offering their MPs on secondment to the Federal Police. This would create a multi skilling opportunity for these officers, the benefits of which are endless in their application to future deployments of Australian contingents. What an opportunity to keep these officers in the system, instead of telling them every year that there are no policing jobs to be done in the Army unless they are posted to an MP unit. I am a Military Police Officer, please employ me as one.

Maj G. Newman
Regional Training Centre
Canungra

CO 1 MP Bn and Provost Marshal – Army Lt-Col Cheryl Pearce replies:

As the author has pointed out, there are a limited number of RACMP positions for both part and full time officers in South Queensland and at present, all positions are filled. However, both 1 MP Bn and the Defence Police Training Centre employ a large number of part time members under very flexible work arrangements, which are tailored to meet the needs of the corps and the member.

At present, there are a number of long-term projects and investigations that need to be staffed and any expression of interest to undertake project work for 1 MP Bn would certainly be welcome. If the author is interested, he should contact the Adjutant of 1 MP Bn on (02) 9339 3672.

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Don’t misunderstand the regiment’s motto

I AM writing in response to Capt Martin’s Fire for Effect letter of September 23 [Army #1106]. Capt Martin accuses WO2 Lynch of “shooting off at the mouth” and of “pettiness’ in regard to the issuing of medals and awards.

WO2 Lynch has every right to express his view on a topic that is close to many OR’s and SNCO’s hearts – the fact that officers always seem to figure more prominently [on honours lists], particularly in comparison to their numbers.

Capt Martin then goes on to question WO2 Lynch’s professionalism by stating the RAR motto, “Duty First”, therefore inferring that by making comments in Army newspaper, WO2 Lynch’s work performance was somehow tainted or less motivated by professional desire than his peers.

For Capt Martin’s benefit “Duty First” is a motto that broadly calls for the professional soldier to put his duty and country before himself and his personal wishes. It does not require members of the Royal Australian Regiment to serve in silence, in order not to upset, or say something a junior officer doesn’t like. They are able to express their views on topics through the appropriate forums, the Army newspaper being one such forum.

While Capt Martin has the right to disagree with WO2 Lynch, he does not have the right to question his commitment to the Royal Australian Regiment.

WO2 B. McClean
CSM D Coy, 6RAR
Enoggera

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Make a decision

I HAVE the privilege of being the Officer Commanding of the 78-strong Spt Coy, UN Security Force, serving in Timor Leste. Spt Coy is part of the 103-person Australian contribution to the revised UNMISET mission.

There are now approximately 1000 Australian service personnel who have served under the UNMISET mission, since the mission was declared non-warlike service. These same service personnel are yet to receive formal recognition from the Australian Government, in respect to honours and awards, as the ASM has not been approved for this mission. On July 22, we received advice that our conditions of service package had finally been approved, some two months after the commitment to the mission. The following day we were advised that the award of the ASM must still be approved.

If the ASM is to be approved, when will this happen? Why does a serving member need to apply for the Defence Long Service Medal (DLSM), for 15 years of service, when there will be no requirement to apply for the ADM?

Will those of us currently waiting for our DLSM receive the ADM first?

The answers will assist the members of Spt Coy in knowing that their service is valued by the Government.

Maj D. Lavers
OC Spt Coy, UNSF
Moleana, Timor Leste

This letter has been forwarded to DPE for a response.

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Caught on video tape

ON DECEMBER 6, 1992, a Red Faces Concert was held in the old theatre of the Force Communications Unit Headquarters, Pteah Australii, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The FCU was deployed in support of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia.

I am searching for any video footage taken that night with a view to creating a DVD of the night.

Anyone with footage or information can e-mail me at barry.james@defence.gov.au or call (07) 3332 7577.

WO1 B. James
Regional Training Centre
Enoggera

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What’s the big issue?
IT IS with growing puzzlement that we are continually being told that we can’t wear “non-issue” field gear. I understand the argument about no replacement being available if it gets lost or damaged on exercise, but not once have I seen the logistics element taking spare ADF issue minimi or steyr pouches out field.

I thought webbing was meant to improve a soldiers’ ability to participate in battle. Some of the webbing I have tried has held more, been more comfortable and spread the load over the body better.

So why are we not allowed to spend our salary on, and wear, our choice of one of the most fundamental pieces of equipment a soldier can have?

Cpl P. Spiranac, 2CER
Enoggera

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You can’t beat the tax
WARNING – The ATO always manages to get your money. When you deploy on non-warlike operations and gain a tax exemption under 23 AG, your tax free dollars are added to your gross annual income and taxed as part of that income. This means your tax free dollars are not completely tax free.

Yes, I have battled with the ATO, DTMO and DEFPAC and parted with 975 of my tax free dollars.

My advice: If you receive a rebate from the ATO as a result of an amended tax zone during a deployment, put some of that rebate aside to give back to the tax office.

WO2 C. Bowen, Chief Clerk, 2HSB
Enogerra

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Rewarding removals
My letter relates to a signal I received from Army HQ “Delays in applications for removals being submitted”, dated November 8.

This Message calls for members to quickly return their Applications for Removals (AFR), so that DHA and Toll can ensure removal arrangements are provided in a timely manner. The signal also states that the submission of an AFR is a trigger for listing properties on Homefind and providing a larger selection of houses.

Wouldn’t this be nice, to have a large number of houses available. Perhaps an incentive-based initiative, legitimately giving early submissions a wider selection of MQs is the answer.

Capt B. Edwards, RSO, 5 Avn Regt
Townsville

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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.