First-class kit
The gear is great, but fix the delivery
Volume 11, No. 49, August 10, 2006

Well dressed: CA, Defence Minister and soldiers at the announcement of the report’s findings.Photo by Sgt Dave Grant.

Review recommendations include: Involving serving and former soldiers in the feedback system about the quality of soldiers’ clothing and equipment – otherwise known as the RODUM system, Ensuring all soldiers who submit feedback receive a response, Establishing a specialist office in the DMO to manage the acquisition and sustainment of clothing and personal equipment, Ensuring the certification of Defence suppliers to make sure they can deliver, Conducting industry forums for the clothing industry, Introducing a Defence soldier clothing and equipment capability plan based on the Defence Capability Plan for major Defence acquisitions, Better management of intellectual property rights for clothing and equipment issues.

THE ADF Clothing Review has found that while personal equipment and clothing provided to the ADF is of a high standard, the system that is delivering this equipment is in need of further reform.

Defence Minister Dr Brendan Nelson said the report identified deficiencies with business practices, systems and management associated with the procurement process.

“I am satisfied that the clothing and equipment being provided to ADF personnel is as high a standard as it’s ever been. It is the system that is delivering this equipment that is in need of further reform,” Dr Nelson said.

He said he visited soldiers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Timor-Leste who confirmed their equipment and clothing was of a high standard.

“The report does not contain any findings to the contrary,” he said.

Lt-Col Roger Noble, who led AMTG1, expressed confidence in the quality of the Army’s kit.

“Since 2003 soldiers from my regiment (2 Cav Regt) have been conducting demanding operations in Iraq. On a number of occasions they have been subject to direct attack by committed adversaries using a variety of highly lethal weapons, including large improvised explosive devices and rockets,” he said.

“To date, we have survived these attacks. One of the reasons for our survival is the outstanding quality of our equipment. The families and friends of our deployed troops should be reassured that the kit is good and we have confidence in it.”

In March a Clothing Review Team was appointed to review systems in place to ensure soldiers had the best possible clothing and personal equipment.

All 29 of the report’s recommendations will be implemented, addressing the five key areas of business practices and processes, management and organisation, industry and commerce, governance and probity, and Defence science and technology.

Dr Nelson said the Government was committed to ensuring the procurement system was world class.

“Ensuring that our soldiers continue to have the best equipment and clothing available is one of my highest priorities,” he said.

He said DMO was already acting on some of the recommendations.

“This review is a win for soldiers, a win for Defence and a win for industry,” he said.

The ADF Clothing Review report is available on the Defence web site at www.defence.gov.au