Quicklinks
to Letters
Thirsting
for answers
Will fuel allowance rise, too?
March-in madness
Loggies’ lament
Bird pictures cause a flap
Weighing up the evidence
Imbalance in awards system
Credit not given
WRITE
TO US
Thirsting
for answers
I,
LIKE many, have recently been privileged to be trained via the new Heat
Injury Management Training Presentation.
One of the lessons that I learnt was that I should eat foods with a high
salt content, like salted peanuts, to increase my thirst, thereby making
me drink more.
This is interesting when I consider the many years of being instructed
to decrease my salt intake to decrease my chance of heart disease.
This morning I read the green sheets that accompany the Combat Ration
Five Man. Under the sub heading “Salt Intake” it states that
“salt supplementation is not recommended even if you are working
hard in hot environments. There should be enough salt in your diet to
fulfil your dietary requirements”.
So what is it: to increase your salt or not? I expect both documents are
produced by subject matter authorities, now all we have to decide is which
is the correct way to decrease the likelihood of injury to our soldiers,
either now or in the future.
Then we may have another presentation, that must be attended by all, and
be noted in PMKeyS, so we can all get it straight, because God knows we
have nothing else to do.
Capt Steve Bovey
Norforce
Larrakeyah Barracks
Col Stephan Rudzki, Director OHS-A, responds:
Thank you for raising an important issue. In producing the DVD there was
a need to balance simplicity of message with the complex detail that this
subject involves.
Salt is an essential component of the human diet and has had a long association
with Armies. Roman soldiers were paid with salt, hence the phrases “worth
your salt” and “salt of the earth”. The word salary is
derived from the latin word salarium which meant “ money paid to
a soldier in lieu of his allowance of salt”.
Salt is made up of sodium [Na] and Chloride [Cl]. Sodium is the key factor
in determining the quantity of body fluid, that is, fluid in the tissues
(extra-cellular fluid) and fluid in the blood (plasma volume).
Because increased sodium leads to increased fluids, in some people this
leads to high blood pressure. The first medical treatment for high blood
pressure was diuretic drugs, which caused increased loss of sodium from
the kidneys. Many doctors advised patients to adopt low salt diets if
they had high blood pressure. In normal people, the kidney regulates sodium
to smooth out the dietary intake variations.
In hot climates individuals sweat to varying degrees, but many sweat profusely.
You lose both salt and water in sweat, and this loss can be substantial
depending on the amount you sweat. If you just drink water without salt,
your body will not retain the fluid as effectively as if you consume salt
at the same time.
While it is true that the ration pack contains adequate salt for the average
individual, this only applies if you eat all of it. The recommendation
to eat salty foods was a lesson learnt from the tragic death of Tpr Angus
Lawrence in the NT last year. The investigation revealed that most soldiers
found the existing ration pack unappetizing in hot temperatures.
So the real issue is not whether to increase your salt intake, but whether
you have replaced your salt losses. If you sweat a lot, you will lose
a lot of salt, which you need to replace. If you don’t eat much in
the heat, you must make sure that what you eat has sufficient salt. In
normal people if you overdo it the kidney will adjust the levels.
Obviously if you work in an air-conditioned office and rarely break into
a sweat, then you have no need to watch your salt intake. But the DVD
was aimed at soldiers who have to operate in the heat, and they are a
group who do sweat a lot.
DSTO has been approached to review the possibility of a hot weather ration
pack that contains lightweight and palatable foods such as jerky and nuts.
TOP
Will
fuel allowance rise, too?
AS the cost of fuel has been steadily increasing over the past year or
so and requirement for members to be posted still exits, I would be interested
to know if there is any future plans to increase the amount of vehicle
allowance (cents per kilometre).
It would also be of interest to know if the allowance is brought about
by taking into account a national average of fuel costs, considering the
great variations across the country.
Cpl Brandt Grollmus
Norforce
Alice Springs
TOP
March-in
madness
IN
recent times, I have noticed the now all too common practice of units
releasing a signal to indicate their individual unit march-in requirements.
Each day the never-ending inundation of signals and emails advising me
of when, how and what I need to do when marching into a unit is beyond
belief.
This practice, combined with the originator’s discretion to utilise
the six major AIG address groups to forward their requirements to every
unit within Australia, is not only a burden on the signal network, but
unproductive.
Three simple practices should be considered to reduce the amount of unwarranted
message traffic.
First, a demi-official letter of introduction to the gaining unit is still
the common means of communication by posted personnel. In turn the unit
would respond with a letter outlining the individual unit requirements
and policies upon arrival. Second, a simple phone call by the member,
or from the gaining unit, can quickly and effectively provide a means
to pass on all relevant information. Third, and possibly the least underused
method to pass this information, is the unit intranet site. The unit website
is an excellent tool to provide this directive and other valuable information,
without imposing on units and personnel who don’t need to know.
A signal may formalise a unit’s requirement in writing, however one
of these three methods could be easily adopted in order to work smarter,
if not to use our civilian and military R&F clerks for more productive
roles.
WO2 M.G. Smith
DMO
Melbourne
TOP
Loggies’
lament
I AM writing
to publicly express my appreciation for the efforts of members of 1
Div who were actively involved in raising significant amounts of money
for the 2005 Legacy Appeal.
I want to mention two units in particular – 1JSU, which raised
almost $90,000 in one day in Brisbane, and 3RAR, which raised about
$92,000 in Sydney.
Members from all brigades of 1 Div have raised in excess of $300,000
on Legacy Day alone through the efforts of soldiers “holding out
their hand” and the public generously giving. The public continues
to demonstrate its support for the Defence Force through its generous
donations.
The recent death of WO2 Nary reminds us of Legacy’s wonderful work
through support to those left behind when partners die as a result of
service to their country, whether in training or on operations.
WO1 Stephen Ward
RSM 1 Div
TOP
Legacy
thanks
I NOTE
with interest ongoing media focus in our forces deployed on operations
overseas.
In particular, I recall strong images of Sydney Harbour lined with well-wishers
to welcome home a ship filled with naval men and women on their return
from dangerous deployments in support of Australia’s national interests.
Similar images are also readily available of RAAF squadrons and ECSS
groups on their return and the various rotations of Secdet and AMTG
after serving on operations.
Parades are an essential part of a unit’s return from operations.
The pride felt by unit members is well justified and is representative
of the goodwill and respect of the hundreds of Australians that watch
these parades with obvious patriotism.
I’d like to draw your attention to a group of ADF representatives
that serve on operations and ask you to consider their service and subsequent
return to Australia. Supporting the MEAO task elements is a Joint HQ
(JTF633) and a Joint Force Level Logistics Asset (FLLA). The FLLA is
based in two locations, including Baghdad, and is one of the few true
triservice organisations in the MEAO.
I read with interest the honours and awards lists and can not help but
feel that many people who serve in this organisation are probably anonymous.
Like LCpl Fraser Couts, LAC Van Hoof and Cpl Maclachlan, who repaired
the essential services of “The Flats” following a VBIED attack;
Sgt Carmen Costello, who worked 18-hour days, seven days a week for
six weeks straight to demonstrate an improvement in the JOD report;
Pte Jak Evans who spent 13 days out of the 17 leading up to the elections
in bunkers, facing rocket and mortar attacks, securing fresh water and
rations for deployed forces; Flt-Sgt Allana Mackenzie, who regularly
coordinated the response to such threats, thrust deep into the practicalities
of a land-based insurgent battle and assigned the responsibility of
FLLA-B ops and defence, as did Leut A.J. Willet, probably more at home
at the helm of a ship than in command of a motley crew of loggies in
Baghdad.
Successive padres have made comment on the unassuming professionalism
of members of the FLLA, regardless of corps, gender or service. Evidence
can be found on the wall in the bunker at FLLA-B of the rate at which
these members take shelter from indirect (and direct) attack both at
their normal place or work and forward with their supported units.
Given these experiences, certainly no less unique than those of other
task elements, it is a shame that these members, all changed (in part)
by their experiences, most deeply empowered, should return to Australia
in the same anonymous manner in which they deployed. Not in a formed
body, but in ones, twos and small groups. Not formed up in carefully
prepared dress uniforms and paraded in front of assembled crowds of
onlookers and invited dignitaries. In fact, most are met at the airport
by loved ones or a cabbie and whisked home for a well-earned rest.
A by-product of having such a rotation plan is the personnel administration
processes required to support members constantly rotating in and out
of FLLA (and HQ JTF633). In a formed body, all of the RTA administration
is smoother, the booking of RTA medicals, POPS and the ongoing admin
support for honours and awards is conducted by a parent unit.
I am aware of significant delays in the awards of AASM and other honours,
some of which have been addressed and rectified. Recently I have been
made aware that several nominations for service awards have run into
difficulties. I understand that RAAF in particular won’t issue
CAF awards for personnel deployed with a joint unit on a joint operation
who are nominated for an ADF award. Meanwhile, ADF awards pass through
JOC for approval first.
If a nomination for a CAF award is rejected it can’t go “down”
to a lower authority, so the member gets nothing, but if a nomination
for an ADF award is not supported it can still go down to a JOC award
or even a JTF award, so there is a good chance of recognition. That
considered, it may be these delays that secure my belief that a number
of those on the list of honours are those that are there by virtue of
rank or appointment, rather than those that demonstrate the quiet unassuming
professionalism of members of the FLLA.
Apart from such difficulties in providing recognition for individuals,
the psycho social rituals involved in RTA of members should be considered
for future ad hoc reinforcement cycles, lest we stand to learn the same
lessons of psychological damage caused by similar programs in the past.
I read recently further reminders to commanders to ensure the POPS attendance
of members that have RTA. I am aware there is a national database being
maintained by 1 Psych Bn which ensures members do not fall through the
gaps. That said, recent correspondence from Land Command places more
responsibility on the member to seek out and attend POPS. In doing so,
Land Command is placing more faith that members that may fall into a
higher risk category would have the motivation to seek out and attend
a POPS of their own volition.
Capt A.W. Evans
HQ 13 Bde
Irwin Barracks
Wg-Comd Jo Elkington, Deputy Director Communication and Reputation Management,
AFHQ, responds on behalf of the ADF:
Several Logistic Support Agency staff have been interviewed regarding
their personal experiences upon return to Australia. All interviewees
were met by their family at the airport with no fanfare, however this
was their preference – they were able to go home and spend time
with their loved ones without having to worry about formalities.
You will also find that many commanders commit staff to meet members
at the airport on their return to Australia. No fanfare, but the knowledge
that their unit does respect and value them and is happy to have them
home safe and well.
Although welcome home parades can be a valuable part of a member’s
return, they are not always possible. The very nature of our current
operational tempo, staggered rotations and operational security requirements
mean that individual members, rather than larger formed bodies, continue
to be attached to various units and task element groups to contribute
to our commitment in the MEAO. This was also the case with other operations,
such as East Timor.
These staff need not miss out on participating in parades. Those who
would like the honour of marching with their units could consider marching
as a formed body on Anzac Day with the unit they deployed with. We expect
many more members to deploy to the MEAO, and events such as Anzac Day
enable us to acknowledge all serving members in any capacity.
Regarding the issue of awards, any members formally assigned for duty
within the MEAO (or any other AO for that matter) are done so by HQJOC
and fall under the command and control, ultimately of CJOPS. In accordance
with Defence Instructions, CJOPS is the reviewing and awarding authority
for all nominations for honours and awards against ADF personnel serving
in joint operations positions. Nominations for operational commendations
are processed through HQJOC with DCJOPS being the first link in the
chain. DCJOPS, CJOPS and CDF commendations are able to be awarded to
personnel on operations.
Air Force will not issue CAF awards for personnel deployed in a joint
unit because current Defence Instructions do not permit this. Air Force
members should not have personnel being nominated for single service
awards while operating in a joint environment. Commanders are always
encouraged to recognise the efforts of their personnel.
The Mental Health support which is provided to members is outlined in
Health Bulletin 11/2003 and states that Return to Australia Psychological
Support (RTAPS) should be conducted in the AO. The Post-Operational
Psychological Support (POPS) is conducted six months after the deployment
and is administered by the member’s servicing psychology element.
However, as the psychology support is the responsibility of Defence
psychology elements it does state in the Health Bulletin that “it
is mandatory that all commanders ensure that personnel who have been
on deployments complete both RTAPS and POPS”. This makes it a command
responsibility, and does not place faith in members attending of their
own volition. If left to their own devices many people would either
forget or not bother (they are home, they feel good, so why worry).
A LSA-AF member who was part of JTF633 (of which FLLA is a task element)
noted the following in-theatre farewell arrangements on return to Australia
– CJTF633 presents a certificate of appreciation to all personnel
before departure and AASMs are presented to individuals in theatre.
TOP
Bird
pictures cause a flap
WHILE I
support the awareness that the two articles by Sqn-Ldr Belinda Ball
has raised in regards to bird flu and the possibility of a human pandemic,
I would question the accuracy of the photographs that accompanied the
two articles.
Sqn-Ldr Ball has discussed the role of “migratory” birds in
the spread of bird flu. However, the two photographs show a Pacific
Black Duck (Army, November 17) and a Black Swan (Army, December 1).
Neither of these two bird species is migratory. They are nomadic within
Australia and therefore could not be involved in bringing the virus
into the country.
There has been a degree of hysteria raised in some media elements regarding
bird flu. This hysteria can in some measure be countered by the application
of accuracy and attention to detail by media organisations when reporting
on the issue.
Lt-Col Murray Coward
HQ LWC
Canungra
TOP
Weighing
up the evidence
I READ
with interest the letter from Sgt Amiet and the reply from Lt-Col Blakley
regarding the use of BMI to indicate whether a soldier is fit or fat
(Army, November 17).
I believe, like Sgt Amiet has alluded to, the use of the BMI is misleading
in that while it indicates that there could be a problem it does not
allow for any natural growth of the body during years. Rather it states
that if you are this old, this height, then you must be this weight.
With respect to the lieutenant-colonel, I don’t believe, ma’am,
you have answered the question posed by the sergeant. That is, why does
the BMI indicate that an individual is obese when he or she presents
for an annual medical assessment when the individual is obviously not
physically obese but, when compared to a “clinical setting”,
is deemed to be.
Now I am aware of middle age spread and I myself cannot get rid of the
spare tyre forming in my midriff, but I assure you I am still only 85kg
and have been for more than 20 years of military service. I complete
my BFA in around 10min 30sec, have completed the CFA in better than
the time required and am only 45 years old.
How do we combat this? Is there another more modern system available
to better gauge the effects of time, age and the physical ability of
an individual?
WO2 A.W. Ryan
1CSSB
Robertson Barracks
IN reply to the response of Lt-Col Ros Blakley to the letter “Fighting
fit or fighting fat” I am concerned that Lt-Col Blakley did not
answer the question.
I discharged from the Army in 1998 (fully fit), however at one stage
during my career I too was classed as obese as I was 178cm and weighed
105kg.
However, I could still get a pass in my BFA, pass the CFA and complete
all other physical activities.
I also know of others who have fallen into the same basket.
Perhaps it is time for Army and the ADF to change the measurement tools
that they use.
Tony McKeown
DSA-NSW
Defence Plaza Sydney
TOP
Imbalance
in awards system
MY faith
in the objectivity of the Army’s honours and awards system was
further eroded when I read the June 30 issue of Army.
I was not really surprised when I counted the generous number of awards
(23) given to officers, mainly lieutenant-colonels and colonels, compared
with a modest amount (12) given to the ORs, mainly WO1s and WO2s. Compare
these figures with the British Army’s operational awards, where
20 awards were given to officers (from 2nd lieutenant up) and 44 given
to the ORs (from private up), including one VC. Anyone who wants to
check this information should refer to the British Army’s Soldier
magazine, May 05 issue.
I stress that these were all operational awards, not given for merely
“doing one’s job” at home. While there are avenues for
our soldiers to be recognised, e.g. the Soldiers Medallion, it’s
not difficult to see how ORs can be perceived as being under-represented.
Based on these figures, one could debate which army truly recognises
and looks after its soldiers.
Officers have a responsibility to, not only for, their soldiers. This
includes giving credit where it’s due. It’s disappointing
that only one Australian private was deemed worthy enough to receive
an award while on operations. Well done to Pte Lee, not only for his
award, but also for managing to get his name in print despite being
grossly outranked.
As an army, we need to keep it real, and recognise the good work done
by our soldiers, every day, at the coal face. In the interest of maintaining
soldier morale, perhaps it’s time to follow the British lead and
aim for a more objective, balanced and realistic representation, across
all ranks, in the allocation of honours and awards.
Capt I.G. Robertson
1 Int Bn
Porton Barracks
TOP
Credit
not given
I AM the
OPSWO AD at 176 AD Sqn and I would like to raise a number of issues
in regards to a number of articles in Army dated November 17.
On page 3 of this edition there is an article about the relief that
Australia is sending to Pakistan and how RAAF 707 and C-130 were used
to move the bulk of personnel and stores. I would like to bring to your
attention, and to those that read the paper, that 176 AD Sqn was called
on at very short notice to prepare and rig the L-pallets for the move
to Pakistan, and that it took about 15 hours to rig nine L-pallets which
consisted of about 41,000lb of stores, rations, water, generators, tents
and a large amount of dangerous goods that had to consigned prior to
air move. No mention of the work that went on in the background.
On page 11, there is an article about record drop in final hit, about
A Fd Bty guns being airdropped in Singleton. In the article it thanks
the help from 3RAR and the RAAF. Yes, they had some involvement, however,
the drops would not have gone ahead had 176 AD Sqn not been involved.
176 AD Sqn members spent up to three days rigging the guns for airdrop
from RAAF C-130s. No mention of the work that went on in the back ground.
As you can see, not all the recognition was given, even though it is
the Army newspaper, to key units that were involved in the background.
Maybe the personnel that write the articles should investigate all aspects
of the activity and give recognition where recognition is deserved.
WO2 D.L. Craker
176 AD Sqn
RAAF Richmond
The
editor, David Edlington, responds:
While reporters do their best, they are not always made aware of every
last detail relating to articles that are prepared for publication.
Units are encouraged to inform us if they believe they have something
newsworthy to contribute to the paper.
TOP
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