Safe return to all in 2005

Lt-Gen Peter Leahy, CA

The Australian Army has experienced another year of high operational tempo. We have been called on to serve the nation at home and around the world in places as far afield as the Solomon Islands, Ethiopia and Eritrea, PNG, Bosnia, East Timor and the Middle East. Many are on exchange or on postings with our coalition allies

The variety of tasks Australian officers and soldiers have been called on to do in 2004 demonstrates the changing nature of operations and warfighting. Peacekeeping, peace monitoring, humanitarian assistance and security tasks in increasingly complex environments are some of the challenges we are required to face. I am pleased that the Australian Army has risen to these challenges and will continue to do so in the future.

Our success on operations is testament to the training, preparation and support the entire Defence organisation provides to our soldiers on operations. The continued development of our training and preparation – particularly the use of new technologies – is a priority for the Australian Army. We must adapt and learn if we are to maintain our combat edge.

The Army’s members continue to make a real and positive contribution to the lives of the people they touch at home and deployed around the world on operations. I am very proud of how our soldiers strive to become part of the community and do the right thing by the population they are living among. Their’s is a complex task. They are playing a significant role in making the world a safer and more peaceful place.

The continuing high operational tempo has brought about an increase in the role of the Army Reserve. All our recent operations have had reserves deploy and play an important role in their success. Enhancements to legislation, support and training for reserves have made them critical element of the Army’s future.

The Australian Army Cadets continue to provide opportunities for young people to take part in adventurous, fulfilling and educational activities in a military setting. It is an excellent endeavour that helps to promote responsibility, leadership and respect of self and others.

The Australian Army has gained a reputation world wide for professionalism, courage, dedication and compassion. Australian soldiers are respected and admired wherever they go. This reputation has been earned through hard work, determination and experience.

The support and understanding of families and friends is crucial to the success of the Australian Army. They have my respect and appreciation for their continued support.

Despite the high operational tempo the Australian Army is coping well with current deployments. The draw down of our force levels in East Timor and the Solomon Islands offers a welcome respite and we are now well prepared for future challenges.
2005 will be another busy year, but we look to the future with confidence, knowing that Australia has a modern, capable and professional Army ready to defend Australia and its national interests.

I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and I look forward to the safe return of our soldiers on operations after the successful completion of their mission.

Peter Leahy
Lt-Gen
CA

Maj-Gen Michael Jeffery, Governor-General

As Commander-in-Chief I extend season’s greetings and congratulations to all ADF personnel on a job well done in 2004.

Many of you will spend Christmas with family and friends enjoying the atmosphere in traditional style.

Others will be on station in locations throughout Australia and overseas. I’m sure those absent on duty will find some time to share in the festive season in the knowledge that at home, their commitment is especially valued.

It has been a demanding year for the Defence Force and all of you should be proud of the high performance standards you have achieved at home and abroad.

It is a special time to reflect on our wonderful way of life in Australia, the people and the communities who together bind our nation across vast distances and often tough, uncompromising land.

Our ADF personnel, whether on the ground, in the air or at sea, are serving the nation, and in that role are recognised around the world for their professionalism, enthusiasm and compassion in support of democratic rights and freedom.

Marlena and I take this opportunity to express our great appreciation to all servicemen and women, and also to their families, who provide much needed support for this vital contribution to peace and stability.

Keep up the good work, have a safe and happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year.

Michael Jeffery
Maj-Gen
Governor-General

Gen Peter Cosgrove, CDF

2004 has been a busy and challenging year for the ADF. Our performance on operations and on training exercises has been impressive.

As the year draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication during the past 12 months. You continue to prove that the ADF is combat capable, rapidly deployable, responsive and thoroughly professional. In troubling times you all make a real, daily contribution to the Australian people’s confidence in their security.

The great work done by many individuals and teams within the ADF has been recognised this year with a number of awards presented for bravery, distinguished conduct on operations, professional excellence within industry and service to the community. I congratulate those people who have received awards this year for your outstanding achievements.

For those of you moving on to a new posting, I wish you all the best in your new position. For those of you staying on in your position, the continuity you bring to the team is vital to the quality of our performance.

I would especially like to thank the families and loved ones of our men and women in uniform: without your support, we couldn’t do what we do for our country.

Everyone in Defence can be very proud of what they have done in 2004 to keep Australia safe. In turn, the Australian people are very proud of all of you.

My very best wishes to you and your family for a happy and safe Christmas and New Year.

Peter Cosgrove
Gen
CDF


Always look out for your mates

WO Kevin Woods, RSM-A

It has been another busy year for Army and for most a well-earned leave is about to start.

In this, my first year as RSM-A, I have endeavoured to get around the Army and visit as many units as possible. In all cases I have been impressed with the attitude, dedication, commitment and professionalism displayed by all our people, so to you, bloody well done.

Our people who are deployed on operations continue to win praise from the Australian people and our coalition partners for their tremendous performance.

My observations from visiting some of these operations is that our people continue to display, at all levels, outstanding leadership, command and tactical skills.

This reinforces my view that the training we do here in Australia, both collective and individual, prepares our people well for operations.

I would also like to take the opportunity to recognise the efforts of the family and friends of our people.

Your continued support for our people overseas and here at home working very long hours has been nothing short of outstanding. Well done and thank you.

I will continue to ask for your support in making the Army better. As indicated above, the majority of our people do an outstanding job, however at times there are a small minority of individuals who let the Army down.

We need to work together as a team to stop unacceptable behaviour, alcohol and drug abuse.

All I ask is for you to look after your mate when he or she looks like over stepping the mark and have the moral courage to do what’s right.

The chain of command is an important and powerful tool, and I ask you to give it a chance, it does work.

As you now take a well-earned break I wish you and your families a safe and Merry Christmas and I ask you to spare a thought for those that remain on operations around the world.

I thank you for all your hard work this year.

Kevin Woods
WO
RSM-A


Thanks from Army staff

Team Army news at Russell Offices. Photo illustration by AB Kade Rogers, Navy news

On behalf of the Army newspaper staff, I would like to thank all the people who help fill each edition.

Our unit correspondants and PROs, civilian readers as well as our overseas military publication colleagues.

Special thanks to our dedicated roving photographer/reporter Bill Cunneen, thanks for your tireless efforts.

We look forward to continuing the evolution of The Soldiers’ Newspaper next year, under incoming Editor David Edlington.

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