Quarter century between patrols
Volume 11, No. 50, August 24, 2006
By Maj James Baker

He’s back: WO1 Dave Ashley (centre) with 5 Sect, 1RAR, on patrol after a 25-year break. Photo by Sgt John Carroll

A QUARTER of a century after commanding the section, the former boss of 5 Sect, 1RAR, has returned to his old callsign.

Now RSM 3 Bde and JTF631 in Timor-Leste, WO1 Dave Ashley couldn’t resist the invitation from the section to join them on a patrol through Dili.

WO1 Ashley last commanded the section in the early 1980s in Townsville, and said that soldiering had come a long way since he was last on patrol with 5 Sect 25 years ago.
“Certainly soldiers are more disciplined these days, particularly with regard to self-discipline,” WO1 Ashley said.

“A lot more is expected of the junior leader and his soldiers, and this operation demonstrates that, with Australian Federal and Malaysian Police an integral part of the commander’s section.”
WO1 Ashley said that today’s soldiers had superior training, better-thinking leaders and far better equipment.

“Soldiers today criticise our equipment and it is their right and responsibility to do so,” he said. “But 25 years ago, we didn’t have GPS, personal role radios, night-fighting equipment or effective body armour, and many of the weapon systems were worn out.

“My pack was scarcely bigger than today’s day pack, and I often had to tie sandbags to the outside to carry all of the equipment.

“That pack was so dumb, the only part camouflaged was the inside of the top flap.

“I think today’s 5 Sect would have given my blokes a run for our money.”