the australian reservistdra.org.au/371/images/tar2_2019_web.pdf · 2020. 10. 16. · the australian...

THE AUSTRALIAN RESERVIST

Defence Reserves Association

Issue 33, November 2019 The Official Journal of the Defence Reserves Association

“GET THE POWER OF SERVICE THAT GIVES YOU PEACE

OF MIND.”

TO FIND YOUR NEAREST STORE Call 13 21 91 or visit tyrepower.com.au


1

THE AUSTRALIAN RESERVIST - November 2019(Official Journal of the Defence Reserves Association)

ISSN 1835-694X

CONTENTSDRA Office Bearers 2

From the President 4

The Orchard and BigSky Publishing Prize for Best Articles 6

Call for Contributions and Membership Enquiries 6

Chaplaincy with Army Cadets - Chaplain Mark J Dunn 8

Maritime Component Command - Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 - LTCOL John Pearse 11

The Origin of the RFD and RFM - MAJ Graeme Rees-Jones 14

2019 Colonel Jim Wood, MURA Travel Scholarship - LT Matthew Taylor 16

VALE Colonel Graham John Montague Farley 18

VALE Lieutenant Colonel Richard (Dick) Cook 20

Key Presentations from the 2019 DRA National Conference The Government View - Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC 22

The Opposition View - The Hon Shaynne Neumann MP 26

Update on Reserve and Youth Division - RADM Brett Wolski 29

Naval Reserve Update including the Total Work Force Model - CDRE David Greaves 31

‘Growing the Pie’– the TWM in Army - MAJGEN Katherine Campbell 33

Update on the Air Force Reserve - ACDRE Robert Rodgers 36

Effective Employer Engagement - Jane McAloon 39

The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the DRA. Contributions and comments or queries regarding the content of the DRA Journal should be directed to the Editor at email: [email protected] or post to PO Box 7264, POINT COOK VIC 3030.

The Journal is published by arrangement with Ontime Publications.

Enquiries regarding advertising should be directed to Steve Moxey Mob. 0400473200 or Ph. 02 9643 8314 or via email: [email protected]


2

DEFENCE RESERVES ASSOCIATIONwww.dra.org.au

DRA PATRONMr. Jack Smorgon AO

NATIONAL EXECUTIVENational President: MAJGEN Paul Irving AM PSM RFD

Immediate Past President: MAJGEN Jim Barry AM MBE RFD EDDeputy-President: MAJGEN Ian Flawith AO CSC

Vice President Navy: CAPT Joseph Lukaitis AM RFD RAN Vice President Army: BRIG Phillip Bridie AM

Vice President Air Force: AIRCDRE Kathryn Dunn Vice Pres. Def Health: MAJGEN Jeffrey Rosenfeld AC OBE

• National Secretary: LTCOL Laureen Grimes National Treasurer: WO2 Catalina Sankey

email: [email protected]

Editorial Committee: CMDR Peter Hicks OAM RFD RANLTCOL Neville Taylor RFD LTCOL Stefan Landherr RFD

LTCOL Ian George OAM RFD ED MAJ Elizabeth Bedggood RFD PO Box 7264, Point Cook VIC 3030


STATE EXECUTIVES NEW SOUTH WALES

President: COL Graham Fleeton RFD Treas: LTCOL Catherine Lewis psc RFD Sec: WO1 Warren Barnes OAM

PO BOX 1065, Singleton NSW 2330 VICTORIA

President: BRIG Peter Alkemade RFD Treas: LTCOL Bruce McClure RFD Sec: MAJ Brian Smith

PO Box 7264, Point Cook VIC 3030 SOUTH AUSTRALIA

President: BRIG Robert Atkinson AM RFD Sec/Treas: LTCOL Stefan Landherr RFD

PO Box 530, St Agnes SA 5097WESTERN AUSTRALIA

President: COL Michael Page RFDTreas: BRIG Duncan Warren AM RFD Sec: CPL David Cooper

21 Ednah Street, Coma WA 6152 TASMANIA

President: COL Stephen Carey RFD Acting Sec: MAJ Brian Smith

PO Box 7264, Point Cook VIC 3030QUEENSLAND

President: COL Rick Olive AM RFDTreas: MAJ Peter Jenkins Sec: MAJ Trevor Herrod

PO Box 384, Everton Park QLD 4053 NORTHERN TERRITORY

President: COL Jeff Dunn OAM CSM RFDSec / Treas: MAJ Jim Wright

PO Box 1091, Darwin NT 0801




Vice President Navy: CAPT Joseph Lukaitis AM RFD RAN Vice President Army: MAJGEN Neil Wilson AM RFDVice President Air Force: AIRCDRE Kathryn Dunn

Vice Pres. Def Health: MAJGEN Jeffrey Rosenfeld AC OBE National Treasurer: COL Jenny Cotton



MAJ Elizabeth Bedggood LTCOL Ian George OAM RFD ED PO Box 7264 Point Cook VIC 3030



President: COL Graham Fleeton RFD Treas: LTCOL Catherine Lewis psc RFD

Sec: WO1 Warren Barnes OAMPO BOX 1065, Singleton NSW 2330

VICTORIA President: BRIG Peter Alkemade RFD

Treas: LTCOL Bruce McClure RFD Sec: MAJ Brian Smith PO Box 7264 Point Cook VIC 3030

SOUTH AUSTRALIAPresident: BRIG Robert Atkinson AM RFD Sec/Treas: LTCOL Stefan Landherr RFD

20 Grevillea Drive Banksia Park SA 5091

WESTERN AUSTRALIAPresident: COL Michael Page RFD

Treas: BRIG Duncan Warren AM RFD Sec: CPL David Cooper 21 Ednah St Coma WA 6152

TASMANIA President: COL Stephen Carey RFD

Treas: MAJ Richard James Sec: MAJ Malcolm McWilliams GPO Box 729 Hobart TAS 7001

QUEENSLANDPresident: COL Jenny Cotton

Treas: MAJ Peter Jenkins Sec: MAJ Trevor Herrod PO Box 384 Everton Park QLD 4053

NORTHERN TERRITORYPresident: COL Jeff Dunn OAM CSM RFD

Sec / Treas: MAJ Jim Wright PO Box 1091 Darwin NT 0801

00


























00


























00



3

Discounted holiday accommodation is available for min 2 day or up to 1 week stay at Army Amenities Fund owned facilities. Each location offers a different experience. Army members and other eligible persons are welcome to book direct through the property managers – details on the website.

For more information go to http://www.armyholidays.com.au and select Accommodation

Thinking about a holiday?

Coogee Beach Sydney 2 x 2 Bed Apartments

Attractions: • Walk to Coogee Beach and shops • Close to Sydney CBD • Outdoor swimming pool & BBQ

Docklands Melbourne 1 x 3 Bed Apartment 1 x 2 Bed Apartment

Attractions: • Within Melbourne’s South Bank Precinct • Short walk to CBD & sporting events • Shops and restaurants • Gardens, Gym and outdoor swimming pool


4

In 1969, the indefatigable MAJGEN Paul Cullen AC, CBE, DSO*, ED, following his period as Citizens Military Forces Member of the Military Board, founded the Citizen Military Forces (CMF) Association. In 1987, the name was changed to the Army Reserve Association and in 1992, it became tri-service and changed its name to the Defence Reserves Association (DRA).

Paul Cullen’s military contribution spanned over 70 years. He enlisted in the Militia in 1927, joined the 2nd AIF in 1939, served with the 2/2nd Battalion in Bardia, Tobruk, Greece, Crete and Syria before being promoted to command 2/1st Battalion in 1942. He then saw service on the Kokoda Track, Sandakan and in the Aitape-Wewak campaign. He was awarded the DSO and Bar for his service in New Guinea.

Following World War II, Paul had a distinguished career in the CMF where he established the Officer Cadet Training Units, the Bushman’s Rifles, the CMF Officer Tours of South Vietnam and the CMF Association. What would Paul Cullen think of the DRA after 50 years? The three Services have embraced the concept of the Total Force, the Reserve Forces are being “operationalized”, legislation has been enacted to protect Reservists, longstanding cultural barriers between the Permanent and the Reserve forces are breaking down and the Reserve Forces are providing significant capability to the ADF.

Paul was totally committed to the Reserve taking its rightful place as part of the Total Force. This will be achieved when Reservists can seamlessly transition to full-time service and back again, and, when the remuneration, conditions of service and the provision of superannuation for Reservists properly reflect modern industrial standards for other part time employees in Australia.

Importantly, the DRA must continue to strive to ensure that Government initiatives, such as Non-Liability Health care, applies to all Reservists and not just to those who have served one day of Continuous Full-Time Service. The requirement to serve one day of Continuous Full-Time Service completely belittles the service of those Reservists who have not had the opportunity to undertake full-time service, many of whom have undertaken considerable periods of service, (some in excess of 150 days per year whilst serving in Regular units), in the defence of the Nation.

Paul Cullen was a regular attendee at our National Conferences and I am sure that he would have been impressed by the quality of the presentations at the 2019 DRA National Conference held on Saturday 17 August 2019 at the United Service Club, Brisbane.

“Building on the Success of the Total Force” was the theme of the Conference with the aim to better understand and discuss how the Reserve Forces can be used to build on the success of the Total Force and how ADF leaders can further leverage the capacity of our Reserve Forces.

The conference was opened by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland and a former Reservist. Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC, Minister for Defence also a former Reservist, gave a keynote address. We also welcomed for the first time at a DRA National Conference, the Hon Shayne Neumann MP, newly appointed Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel. Also, for the first time at a DRA National Conference, five of our speakers were female.

A highlight of the Conference was a focus group of current ADF Reservists, conducted by MAJ Kate Ames, who spoke candidly about their views on how to further leverage the capacity of our Reserve Forces.

MAJGEN Greg Melick, recently appointed National President of the RSL, outlined his vision of the RSL working more closely with other ex-service organisations, including the DRA, and also with DVA, in enhancing service delivery to veterans and their families.

Most of the presentations delivered at the Conference have been published in this edition of the Australian Reservist and/or on the DRA website.

At the conclusion of the Conference, a tri-service all ranks formal dinner was held where MAJ Andrew Bernie, a Reservist and Manager of the Army’s Unrecovered War Casualties Team, provided a brilliant after-dinner speech, (complete with plastic skull), about the recovery of a body from Eora Creek on the Kokoda Track. Incidentally, this is where Paul Cullen and 2/2 Battalion successfully attacked Japanese defensive positions.

A special thank you goes to the Queensland Branch of the DRA for organising the Conference, for WO1 Warren Barnes as the Conference Secretary and for Neil James, from the Australia Defence Association, who once more ably chaired the four Open Forums which provided ample opportunity for Conference participants to raise a wide range of issues affecting the Reserves with the presenters at the Conference.

Planning for the 2020 DRA National Conference is well underway and we intend to hold it on Saturday 22 August 2020 in Adelaide, so please put this date in your diary now.

I am pleased to advise that the South Australia Branch of the DRA initiated a prize to be awarded to a student on the Australian Command and Staff Course (Reserve) course who achieves the highest mark in the Contemporary Army Issues paper covering a topic about the Army Reserve. The prize is awarded at the Cullen Dinner at the conclusion of the Command, Leadership and Ethics Module in November. This year, our Deputy President, MAJGEN Ian Flawith, will present the prize.

Sadly, just before the Conference, we lost LTCOL Dick Cook AM, RFD, Past President of the Western Australia Branch of the DRA. Dick was untiring in his work for the DRA Branch and the 28th Battalion (the Swan Regiment). Our deepest sympathies go to his wife, Lyn and family.

The DRA Annual General meeting was held the day following the conference. I am pleased to advise that Jack Smorgon AO, former Chair of the Defence Reserves Support Council, agreed to be Patron of the DRA; BRIG Phillip Bridie AM agreed to be appointed as Vice President Army vice MAJGEN Neil Wilson; and LTCOL Laureen Grimes agreed to be appointed as the National Secretary.

With my best wishes

Paul Irving

FROM THE PRESIDENTIn recent months, the DRA has been heavily involved in a significant number of inquiries and proposed legislative changes affecting ‘veterans’ that now include Reservists, regardless of whether they have had operational service. Despite the political turmoil with three Ministers for Veterans’ Affairs in the last nine months, there has been plenty of action on issues affecting veterans.In addition to DRA State Branches being represented on State and Territory Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Consultative Forums, Jim Barry, Immediate Past President represents the DRA on the Defence Force Welfare Association (DWFA), whilst I represent the DRA on the Ex-Service Organisation Round table (ESORT); the main forum of advice to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, as well as on the Alliance of Defence Service Organisations (ADSO). Through these consultative forums, the DRA is providing submissions to Government, the Productivity Commission, National Audit Office, People Group in the Department of Defence and DVA

on issues affecting Reservists.In particular, the DRA is continuing to advocate that all Reservists who have had one day’s service in the ADF should be entitled to mental health treatment without the need to link the condition to the Reservist’s ADF service (non liability health care). Whilst the 2018 Federal budget extended eligibility for mental health treatment to Reservists who had rendered Reserve service days with disaster relief, border protection or involvement in a serious service-related training accident, we are hopeful that the 2019 Federal budget will extend this benefit to all Reservists.ADSO has long advocated that there should be an Australian Military Covenant to recognise the unique nature of service with the ADF. It was pleasing that in October 2018, the Australian Government launched an Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant to provide better recognition of the unique nature of military service and further acknowledge the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families. On 14 February 2019, the Australian Veterans’ Recognition (Putting Veterans and their Families First) Bill 2019 was introduced into Federal Parliament to provide recognition to veterans and their families. As part of the recognition package, a lapel pin and the Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant will be distributed to veterans. The lapel pin will allow veterans to be easily identifiable by the Australian community.Also on 14 February 2019, the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Single Treatment Pathway) Bill 2019 was introduced into Parliament which removes the dual treatment pathway model under the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) and replaces it with a single treatment pathway model. Subject to the Bill passing Parliament, effective from 1 July 2019, all MRCA clients, like other DVA clients, would have access to a DVA health card (White Card), simplifying the way they access health treatment and reducing the financial pressure and administrative burden on veterans and their families. This measure will benefit 4000 MRCA clients currently under the reimbursement pathway who would no longer need to pay up front. More information on the Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant and the other Bills affecting veterans introduced to Federal Parliament can be found on the DVA website.Arising from recommendations of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee in its report “The Constant Battle: Suicide by Veterans” which found the legislative framework for the veterans’ compensation system to be complex and difficult to navigate, the Government tasked the Productivity Commission with inquiring into compensation and rehabilitation for veterans. The Productivity Commission has issued its draft report that made a number of quite controversial recommendations, including the abolition of DVA. The detailed response by ADSO to the Productivity Commission Inquiry can be found on the DRA website. The Productivity Commission will now review all submissions received with a view to releasing a final report around July 2019. Currently, Defence provides details to DVA of all enlistments and discharges of permanent members of the ADF but provides no details of Reservists to DVA. Following representations, People Group has recently advised that the Defence policy is being amended that will allow the details of all Reservists on enlistment and discharge to be provided to DVA.The Chief of Navy recently advised that as Navy reforms the workforce under Plan Pelorus, the RANR post-nominal is now redundant. To promote a one Navy team culture, all serving and retired Naval officers are to adopt the post-nominal RAN or RAN Rtd.Heartiest congratulations to the following Reservists who were recognised in the Australia Day 2019 Honours List. Officer (AO) in the General Division - MAJGEN Kathryn Campbell CSC.Officer (AO) in the Military Division - MAJGEN Stephen Porter AM.Member (AM) in the General Division - Mr Joseph Lukaitis RFD RANR (DRA Vice President Navy); Her Honour Judge Sylvia Emmett RANR; Dr David Stevens RANR.Public Service Medal (PSM) - Mr Robert Marsh RFD.Medal (OAM) in the General Division - Mr Peter Colliver (RAAFR); Mr Brian Daley(ARes); LTCOL David Deasey RFD; LT COL John Howells RFD; Dr Russell Lain RANR; Dr Robert Likeman CSM (ARes); Mr Robert Joseph (ARes); Dr Christopher Lowry RANR; Ms Carolyn McMahon (ARes); Mr Robert Patterson RFD; Mr Mark Squirrell (ARes); Dr Richard Tooth RFD; and Mr Barry Ward (ARes).Medal (OAM) in the Military Division - CAPT Mark McConnell RANR.Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) - CAPT James Renwick SC RANR; LT COL Mark Smith.Conspicuous Service Medal (CSM) - LT COL Jake Kearsley.Commendation for Distinguished Service - BRIG Bill Date.Planning for the 2019 DRA National Conference is well underway. It will be held on Saturday 17 August 2019 at the United Service Club in Brisbane, so please put this date in your diary now. The theme for the Conference will be advised shortly and clearly, we will not be able to finalise the speakers until after the Federal election. Details will be posted on the DRA website when available.With my best wishes, Paul Irving

01


FROM THE PRESIDENT50 Years Milestone


5

Forever perfect Each piece of Xennox jewellery includes a manufacturing guar-antee and professional cleaning for life ensuring confidence and capturing its original beauty forever.

A cut above Our Internationally recognised diamond grader hand selects each diamond especially for you, so you will always get the most brilliant diamond in its class.

Craftsmen with superpowers Multi award winning Master Craftsmen with 152 years com-bined experience hand crafting one-off pieces of art meaning each ring is as unique as you are.

Unrivalled Experience Indulge with your favourite drink; single malts, champagne, wines or craft beers and experience viewing diamonds like you never have before.

Personal Concierge From selecting your dream rings to creating your Unforgettable Proposal and everything in between our Rockstar team is at your disposal.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. EVERYTHING IS UNIQUE.Defence Force Jeweller. Preferred pricing for ADF membersBrisbane’s largest range of diamond engagement rings & wedding rings

Celebrate with Xennox Diamonds.

Level 2, 141 Queen Street Mall Brisbane, QLD 4000(07) 3210-6288 [email protected]

www.xennoxdiamonds.com.au


6

MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIESThe Defence Reserves Association is a tri-service organisation with the aim of supporting the Australian Defence Force and, in particular, promoting the interests and safeguarding the concerns of the Defence Reserve component of the ADF. Further information can be found on the DRA website www.dra.org.auMembership is open to all individuals and organisations with an interest in defence. Reservists, both retired and current serving members, are welcome to join the DRA regardless of their membership of other associations. Application for Membership should be made to the Secretary or Membership Officer of the appropriate State Branch.

NSW: PO BOX 1065 SINGLETON NSW 2330 [email protected]: PO BOX 1091 DARWIN NT 0801 [email protected]: PO Box 384 Everton Park QLD 4053 [email protected] SA: PO Box 530 ST AGNES SA 5097 [email protected]: c/o PO BOX 7264 POINT COOK VIC 3030 [email protected]: PO Box 7264 POINT COOK VIC 3030 [email protected]: 21 Ednah Street COMA WA 6152 [email protected]

THE ORCHARD & BIG SKY PUBLISHING BOOK PRIZES FOR BEST ARTICLESThe Orchard Prize: In order to encourage the submission of high quality and interesting articles, Captain Malcolm Orchard RFD ED (DRA SA Branch) initiated the Orchard Prize for the best published articles. There are potentially two prizes each edition: one for the best article by an officer and a further prize for the best article by a non-commissioned officer or other rank. Also the editor-in-chief may award a prize for thought-provoking articles.

The Big Sky Publishing Book Prize: Big Sky Publishing (www.bigskypublishing.com.au) generously offer a book prize for historically-themed articles.

The prize winners are chosen by the Editorial committee taking into account the relevance of the topic in promoting Reserves, the overall quality of the article, the issues raised, the topicality and the perceived interest level. The prize winners for this edition are:

LTCOL John Pearse receives The Backroom Boys by Graeme Sligo (Big Sky Publishing) for his article ‘Maritime Component Command – Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019’ which describes a fully integrated joint operations centre staffed by both full and part-time personnel from three separate nations.

CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS The Journal is published twice yearly, in April and October. Our aim is to have a quality publication that promotes the interests of Reservists and the Australian Defence Force. Articles of interest include but are not restricted to: reports from Reservists on operations, issues for debate, Reserve Policy, structural reforms, awards, current events, Reservists in the news, historic articles with links to the Reserve, letters to the editor, relevant book reviews, etc. Articles (preferably in electronic format - Word Format) should be sent to the editor c/- PO Box 7264 Point Cook, VIC 3030 or if submitting by email send to [email protected] Pictures should be submitted as separate high-resolution JPEG format files or print quality originals. Articles for the October 2019 edition should be submitted by 10th September. Early submission is greatly appreciated.

Major Graeme Rees-Jones wins the Big Sky Publishing Book Prize. He receives Pioneers of Australian Armour by David A. Finlayson & Michael K. Cecil (Big Sky Publishing) for his informative article describing the Origin of the RFD and RFM medals.


7

With an ever-growing number of health and wellbeing services available, it can sometimes be difficult to know who to go to for information and help.

As Australia’s leading provider of mental health and wellbeing support for current and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel and their families, Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling is a great place to start.

Open Arms is a national, family-centred, free and confidential service that specialises in helping veterans and their families. Designed by veterans for veterans, they work with a range of partners to ensure clients have access to the services they need, when they need them.

While all families experience routine daily challenges, there are unique stressors that military and veteran families experience relating to the posting cycle, training exercises, deployments, partner employment, transitioning and more. As many Open Arms staff are veterans themselves, they understand these challenges.

But, not all clients need help with service related issues. Similar to other community-based mental health services, Open Arms clients experience depression, anxiety, substance use challenges, workplace struggles, and relationship, parenting and family concerns.

With this in mind, Open Arms free services include:

• Confidential counselling for individuals, couples and families

• 24-hour telephone counselling

• Mental health training programs

• Peer support

• Self-help resources

• Crisis accommodation support

• Relationship retreats

• Group treatment programs

• Suicide intervention workshops

Open Arms has recently increased its workforce with the introduction of Community and Peer Advisors who work with veterans, family supports, community agencies and mental health clinicians to provide a more holistic and therapeutic experience for clients. As ex-ADF veterans and family representatives, they have had the experience of accessing mental health services for their own recovery and wellbeing and are well placed to support veterans and their families to find solutions for better health and wellbeing.

With an increased focus on the lifetime wellbeing of veterans, Open Arms has also expanded their services to include eMental Health products and applications. This means information on fitness, nutrition, sleep, social connections and much more are all available through Open Arms Self-help menu at openarms.gov.au. There are also resources on resilience, safety and PTSD available via mobile apps – High Res, Op Life, PTSD Coach and The Right Mix.

If you or a family member need support, Open Arms is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 011 046. And, to learn more about Open Arms services and online self-help tools visit Openarms.gov.au

ADVERTORIAL Open Arms for veterans and

their families


8

CHAPLAINCY WITH ARMY CADETS Chaplain Mark J Dunn

Australian Army Cadets Victoria Brigade Headquarters

IntroductionWhen I received my posting to Australian Army Cadets (AAC) Victoria Brigade Headquarters commencing January 2019, I confess to being somewhat disappointed. After serving proudly for the previous fi ve years as Coordinating Chaplain to 4th Brigade (‘Victoria’s Own’), was I leaving the real Army? Was this posting almost a demotion away from the action of Forces Command? Was this move a step closer to the back gate at Simpson Barracks from where I will eventually be farewelled?A New RoleSix months into this new role and I’m very happy to say that I’m excited and passionate

about serving the young people and adult staff who proudly wear our uniform in Australia’s premier youth development organisation. Nationally, 17,500 Army Cadets supported by 1,250 Adult Cadet Staff belong to AAC and there are 3,500 in Victoria spread across the state within four battalions. In fact, Army Cadets in Victoria is nearly the same size as Army in Victoria!It had been quite some years since there had been any chaplaincy presence within AAC (Vic) Bde and I found that both good and bad. Good in the sense that I could bring my years of experience and confi dence to ‘reclaim the ground’ by exercising an effective and proactive Chaplaincy ministry; bad in as much as many people did not know much about the role of chaplains and were uncertain if indeed it was necessary or even helpful.With the excellent support of the AAC Commander COL Jason Cooke and now his successor COL John Molnar, together with the DCOMD LTCOL Michelle McCormack, I have been able to make good progress with all of the tasks allotted to me. Knowing what was ‘coming down range’, I leant in to support EX EMU at Puckapunyal in September 2018, getting to know the distinctive AAC organisation and culture. I worked with 1,000 Cadets from school-based units across the fi rst week of EX then we conducted RSO&I (Reception, Staging, Onward movement, and Integration) for a further 1,000 cadets from community-based units who had come with hopes and expectations for the big annual camp. With each unit working in their BN formations, I got around to make myself useful and well-known amongst the dedicated Adult Cadet Staff (ACS) who were then confi dent to refer to me cadets who might benefi t from some pastoral care.Boosting MoraleMany conversations were general in nature and broadly supportive as I worked to boost morale and encourage all. Some were very signifi cant and I’m reminded that the opportunity to shape and infl uence young lives is indeed sacred space. A 16 year old cadet shared with me that one year earlier he was ready to kill himself. His mother - a drug addict - had died from an overdose three years ago and his life was in his words: ‘rubbish’. He joined Army cadets and eight months on it had transformed his focus with a newfound passion to care for and support others while challenging himself to achieve a future career in Army. He will go far, as he has also found God recently to guide and encourage his journey. He was a grateful recipient of an Army Bible, one of many I’ve given out in the dust of Puckapunyal over the years.Supporting AAC Courses Camp 2In December 2018 I was able to support AAC Courses Camp 2, held this time in the buildings of the Puckapunyal National Service Lines. 350 Cadets participated in six different promotion courses gaining skills and abilities relevant to the training continuum of Army Cadets. Leadership, Robotics, Weapons Handling and Field Engineering courses provided lots of opportunities for cadets to be challenged and tested. With that came

CHAPS Dunn, Terrell, Thomas and Wendy Oh at Puckapunyal.

01


0



9

the call for chaplaincy support to encourage, guide and grow resilience in our young people. What a sacred privilege it is for me to be given the opportunity to work with and help to infl uence young lives for the better. While on average 22% of Cadets will join the ADF in their adult life, recruitment is not a primary motivator for why Army invests in and supports this organisation. As I see it, we’re investing in these young people in order to grow their capability to lead and infl uence others in positive ways. As we do this (ADF members and AAC Staff working in partnership collaboratively), we are shaping the hearts and minds of our future leaders and, ultimately then, we’re growing a better Australia which in turn is better placed to contribute to a better world.AAC (‘blue patch’) chaplainsOne of the particularly exciting opportunities I was glad to embrace during the early months of 2019 was to recruit, train and sustain four new AAC (‘blue patch’) chaplains – one for each of the battalions across Victoria. There had been long unfi lled vacancies on paper, so I employed my networks and my long reach of connections after 40 years of ordained ministry and am pleased to report that our Vic BDE now has an excellent, diverse and fully staffed team of capable chaplains adding signifi cantly to the care and support of cadets and staff alike.31BN (Victorian school-based units) have CHAP (AAC) Steve Terrell. A former XO at 417SQN(AAFC) Sandringham then a full-time RAAF member prior to his Uniting Church training and ordination (1991). Steve is currently a school chaplain on staff at Beaconhills College in Melbourne’s south-east. His principal agreed that Steve can now serve a wider AAC constituency, so we’re gaining the benefi t of his past ADF experience, his understanding of a chain of command organisation, his passion and considerable experience in working with youth and his desire to see young people thrive and fl ourish. I commissioned Steve for this new ministry in his home congregation at Cranbourne Uniting Church on Sunday, 28 April 2019.32BN (Western Victoria) have CHAP (AAC) Margaret Benoit. A well regarded Offi cer Commanding of the Sebastopol Army Cadet Unit for the past six years, Marg was ready to take on the fresh challenge of a wider responsibility in Cadets. Margaret brings plenty of familiarity with AAC, having been an adult cadet staff member for 18 years after being a cadet herself. Her civilian chaplaincy ministry at Ballarat High School and her completion of pastoral studies and a Diploma in Ministry (2018) have all shaped her readiness. I commissioned Margaret for this new ministry in her home congregation at Enjoy Church, Wendouree, Ballarat on Sunday, 09 June 2019.33BN (Northern Victoria) have CHAP (AAC) Darren Thomas. A full-time ARA WO2 member currently posted as a Technical Offi cer to CASG (Capability and Sustainment Group), Victoria Barracks, Darren has had a long history supporting church youth work. He leads the local chapter of the Military Christian Fellowship and has been accepted as a candidate for Anglican ministry, having already completed part of his studies towards a BMin. Darren of course brings long ADF experience and he has been keenly learning about the distinctive culture and practices of AAC. He has hopes of becoming a full-time army chaplain and in the meantime, is contributing well to our AAC chaplaincy capability. I commissioned Darren for this new ministry in his home congregation at All Saints Anglican Church, Greensborough on Sunday, 14 April 2019.

34BN (Eastern Victoria) have CHAP (AAC) Wendy Oh. Wendy has a 20 year service history as an ARA Army member (CPL) behind her. Understanding ADF culture and traditions, Wendy is quickly embracing her new AAC role while trying not to be a Corporal. She is trained and endorsed as a lay minister in the Anglican Church and completed a Diploma of Ministry in 2015. Wendy’s strong personal faith clearly informs her character and prompts within her a desire to serve others, particularly in the exercise of quality pastoral care with young people. With her husband (WO1 George Oh), they are the parents of two teenage sons – further helpful hands-on training which always informs. I commissioned Wendy for this new ministry in her home congregation at All Saints Anglican Church, Greensborough on Sunday, 14 April 2019 alongside her new colleague Darren.RequirementsOf course, all of our AAC chaplains must have the endorsement Bible distribution.

2



10

of their faith group, complete the Defence Youth Safety (Levels 1, 2 &3) Courses and undergo the mandatory police checks and Working with Children Checks. On top of this we have all completed the ADF approved Youth Mental Health First Aid Course and the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Course to be well equipped for the challenges of our roles.Making a difference at Courses Camp 1Having supported Courses Camp 1 back at Pucka for the fi rst week of the school holidays in July 2019 alongside CHAPs (AAC) Terrell and Oh, I can honestly say that we’re making a difference. In that activity we were able to dedicate a chaplain to each of the three courses being conducted so that pastoral relationships were established as trust grew from day one. Low self-esteem, coping skills, resilience, relationship problems, self-injury and suicide ideation were among the many issues we dealt with. There were also some lively spiritual conversations in the breaks and some took the opportunity to attend a fi eld communion service for the fi rst time as we made that ministry available to any who wished to participate.Memorandum of Arrangements While ADF Chaplaincy remains predominantly Christian, and all of my team work out of that faith framework, ADF chaplains (including AAC chaplains) remain committed to provide care and support to all members and their families, irrespective of their personal faith or absence thereof.The Memorandum of Arrangements (MoA) for ADF Chaplaincy has historically included Christian and Jewish members for many years; however, on 12 June 2019 the MoA was updated to include Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. A Sikh member is being sought. This updated agreement recognises that the religious, spiritual and pastoral needs of all Australian Defence Force (ADF) members is a matter of the highest importance, and demonstrates Defence’s continued commitment to ensuring provision is made for all ADF members, to practise their faith within operational and training constraints.Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell AO, DSC at the signing, said: ‘Physical, mental and spiritual health are essential for the building of ADF capability through its people. In an increasingly multicultural ADF, it is important that the ADF is able to meet the service-related spiritual and religious needs of all its members’.ConclusionChaplains provide religious services on behalf of their faith group, source other faith group advice as required and care for all members, religious or not. Chaplains also provide guidance and advice for Command and all ADF personnel and their families on religion, religious practices and spirituality. The ethical life in war and peace is inherent to the work of ADF Chaplaincy and we must ensure that chaplains who join our ranks can serve in a multi-faith environment at home and abroad. Victoria has led the way in this space and I’m honoured to have played my part, contributing as I have written about in this article. I’m quietly confi dent that as we roll out chaplaincy capability across Army Cadets Australia-wide, we will enhance the effectiveness of this wonderful organisation and in so doing; we’ll be making a positive difference in the lives of future leaders in our country.About the Author Rev’d Mark J Dunn is Chaplain to AAC (VIC) Brigade HQ, Simpson Barracks, Macleod Victoria. A Uniting Church Minister, he enlisted as an Army Reserve Chaplain in June 2009 and was posted to 4th/19th Prince of Wales’ Light Horse Regiment. In 2013 he was posted to 5/6 Royal Victoria Regiment and deployed on CTF 635 OP ANODE to the Solomon Islands. In 2014 he was posted to 4th Brigade HQ Simpson Barracks as Coordinating Chaplain. In December 2015 he was advanced to a Div 2 (MAJ) Chaplain. He was posted to AAC (Vic) BDE HQ in 2019. He retired from civilian Parish leadership at St John’s Essendon on 31 Oct 2016 and was appointed Minister-in-Association (Honorary) at Coburg Uniting in 2019 and serves as Secretary to the Uniting Church Defence Forces Chaplaincy Committee. In June 2019, Mark successfully completed the Kokoda Trek. He remains ‘Positioned to Serve’.

CHAPs Dunn, Benoit and Thomas.

3


MARITIME COMPONENT COMMAND - EXERCISE TALISMAN SABRE 2019Lieutenant Colonel John Pearse

Commanding Offi cer - 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment

Introduction

There will be many stories written about Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS-19) but one that may not be fully appreciated is the part played by the Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) within the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) HQ. The MOC was responsible for the command and control of the maritime and amphibious assets involved in the exercise. For the fi rst half of the exercise this command was supported by the rest of the CJTF and took the lead in conducting the sea battle and amphibious lodgement of the land forces that secured suffi cient air, sea and land space for a Brigade sized follow on force. For the second half of the exercise, MOC was the priority of supporting efforts including amphibious raids, sea battles and naval fi res for the land battle. The command was predominantly staffed by Navy personnel from Australia, the United States of America and Canada, and of those staff, 31% were Reserve personnel. To complete the joint nature of the command, there was also a small contingent from the Australian Army and United States Marine Corps (USMC) who assisted with the land planning. For three weeks this group of highly motivated professionals came together to deliver an agile strategic capability that continually punched well above its weight.

Delivering a range of effects for the CJTF Commander

For exercise TS-19, the MOC delivered a range of effects for the CJTF Commander. It soon became apparent that this relatively small Component HQ was capably providing the Commander with the required coordination and command capable of landing forces ashore while simultaneously dealing with sea and air threats. This also included dealing with real-time issues which presented themselves such as out of exercise threats. As the Maritime Component Commander (MCC), CDRE Ivan Ingham explained, “this HQ was responsible for real-time command and control, support and operational responses for a maritime collective of three major Task Forces”. He also noted that, “the force of 20 ships included the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the USS Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group comprising an aircraft carrier, seven large amphibious ships, seven combatants and fi ve major supply support ships”. This formidable

01


0



11

MARITIME COMPONENT COMMAND - EXERCISE TALISMAN SABRE 2019Lieutenant Colonel John Pearse

Commanding Offi cer - 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment

Introduction

There will be many stories written about Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 (TS-19) but one that may not be fully appreciated is the part played by the Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) within the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) HQ. The MOC was responsible for the command and control of the maritime and amphibious assets involved in the exercise. For the fi rst half of the exercise this command was supported by the rest of the CJTF and took the lead in conducting the sea battle and amphibious lodgement of the land forces that secured suffi cient air, sea and land space for a Brigade sized follow on force. For the second half of the exercise, MOC was the priority of supporting efforts including amphibious raids, sea battles and naval fi res for the land battle. The command was predominantly staffed by Navy personnel from Australia, the United States of America and Canada, and of those staff, 31% were Reserve personnel. To complete the joint nature of the command, there was also a small contingent from the Australian Army and United States Marine Corps (USMC) who assisted with the land planning. For three weeks this group of highly motivated professionals came together to deliver an agile strategic capability that continually punched well above its weight.

Delivering a range of effects for the CJTF Commander

For exercise TS-19, the MOC delivered a range of effects for the CJTF Commander. It soon became apparent that this relatively small Component HQ was capably providing the Commander with the required coordination and command capable of landing forces ashore while simultaneously dealing with sea and air threats. This also included dealing with real-time issues which presented themselves such as out of exercise threats. As the Maritime Component Commander (MCC), CDRE Ivan Ingham explained, “this HQ was responsible for real-time command and control, support and operational responses for a maritime collective of three major Task Forces”. He also noted that, “the force of 20 ships included the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the USS Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group comprising an aircraft carrier, seven large amphibious ships, seven combatants and fi ve major supply support ships”. This formidable

01


0



12

force fi elded 60 strike aircraft (including six F-35 Joint Strike Fighters), ten MV-22 Ospreys, 24 attack and lift helicopters and 15 combat ASW helicopters. A total of over 17,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen were amongst the force. It is interesting to note that the MOC staff represented only 12% of the total JTF 667 HQ staff.

The Deputy Commander (DCOM)

The Deputy Commander (DCOM) of the MCC was Captain (USN) Anthony Gareffa whose career spans 28 years of which 18 years have been in the reserve. During his reserve service, Captain Gareffa had two ‘At Sea’ commands and mobilized to the Middle East. When asked how he balanced his reserve career against his civilian career as a fi nancier with JP Morgan, CAPT Gareffa said with a wry smile, “not well”. CAPT Gareffa went on to say that “my priorities were my family, my service career and then my civilian job”, and that by engaging with his civilian employer he was able to build an understanding of where he fi t in the business. Ultimately it meant that other people got promoted in lieu of him, which he fully supported, however JP Morgan supported him and his family when he took command and deployed overseas. This US example of reserve service and the proactive interaction is reminiscent of contemporary reserve service in Australia.

Reserve Staff Support

As most people would understand, the coordination and control of the MOC is the responsibility of the Chief of Staff (COS). The MOC COS was Commander Phillipa Hay (RAN). CMDR Hay is a full-time offi cer who has been in the role for approximately 18 months. CMDR Hay’s strength lay in her ability to quickly organise and lead an initially disparate staff into a harmonised, proactive group of people working to a common purpose. Her sense of humour and engagement at both the group and individual level did much to ensure that the MOC remained focused and motivated throughout the exercise. Other regular offi cers included the current operations, future operations, legal, medical, signals, meteorology and logistics lead staff. They were all supported by a number of reserve staff to ensure that the staff work required of the MOC could be met. This design of a framework of full-time staff supported by reserve staff proved to work exceedingly well. Reserve staff were quickly ‘brought up to speed’ with current procedures and within a short period of time were able deliver the required capability.

Another key member of the MOC was LCDR Charlotte Bigg who has 15 years of service in the USN, half of which has been in the reserve. After initially serving as a Surface Warfare Offi cer, LCDR Bigg left the active duty list to study dentistry. She is now married, has a 14 month old daughter and works as a dentist in Rhode Island. LCDR Bigg spent her time in the MOC working in the future operations cell conducting planning, providing verbal and written briefs and proved to be an excellent conduit between the naval future operations and the land future operations planning within the MOC. Asked what she got most out of the exercise LCDR Bigg said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed this amazing opportunity to work closely with our coalition partners, and have learned a great deal which I will take back to the US fl eet”.

A further notable team member within the MOC was Lieutenant(N) Clayton Cochrane of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN). Lt(N) Cochrane is a regular force naval offi cer currently serving as the Operations Offi cer in HMCS Vancouver. Lt(N) Cochrane, a Clearance Diver, has previously served in Afghanistan in 2007-8 as the deputy commander of the Counter IED Task Force, supporting the Canadian Battle Group in Kandahar Province. In his spare time Lt(N) Cochrane works as a local television and internet sports broadcaster for a number of junior ice-hockey clubs on Vancouver Island British Colombia. He plans to one day retire from the navy and work professionally as a full-time broadcaster. During TS-19, Lt(N) Cochrane served as one of the shift supervisors in the Maritime Operations Centre Battle Watch. Lt(N) Cochrane felt that the opportunity to travel to Australia and participate in a joint exercise of this complexity was, “an opportunity far too good to pass up”. He was particularly proud that when he found out that it was predominantly an Army fi eld exercise that he did not change his mind and, “found the experience to be both professionally and personally rewarding”.

Air planning and the coordination of amphibious force air platforms

The MOC also included a cell who dealt with the air planning and the coordination of amphibious force air platforms and other air assets involved in the exercise from the RAAF and our coalition partners. One of the cell members involved was LCDR Andrew Hrynkiw who was born in Ukraine and moved to the US with his parents when he was 11. Andrew spent over 13 years in the USN as a pilot fl ying T-6A, C-2A and C-130T

2


aircraft, he completed two deployments on USS Abraham Lincoln in a fl ying role, and is now fl ying with American Airlines. During TS-19 Andrew served as a Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) Liaison Offi cer, responsible for coordination and communications between the MOC and USS Wasp. This also included continued interaction with the Air Support Operation Centre (ASOC) which was largely an air force led element coordinating land-based air capabilities. When asked about his time in the MOC this year Andrew said, “I enjoyed the Aussie sense of humour, great weather and seeing kangaroos, as well as the opportunity to be involved in an exercise of this magnitude”.

As mentioned previously the MOC included a small staff of two offi cers who acted as Land Planners. Major Chris Wagner (USMC) and I were able to quickly integrate with the HQ and provide support for the land piece of the amphibious operations. Our duties included supporting the N35 cell with future planning issues such as fi res de-confl iction, reconnaissance and surveillance insertion, ground control measures with the Australian Amphibious Task Group (ATG), the Japanese Amphibious Ready Deployable Brigade (ARDB), and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The majority of our interface was with the G35 and G33 planners on the USS Green Bay and USS Wasp. As a cavalry offi cer, the opportunity to work in a combined joint HQ with so many working pieces was a tremendous opportunity. As could be expected with a HQ of this type, Major Wagner and I often spent time with different cells within the MOC explaining concepts of how the land battle would be conducted as well as ensuring that air and sea spaces were de-confl icted with land operations. In the end, it meant that greater synergy between air, land and sea was achieved. Chris and I both felt that our time was very well spent and we made a number of good friends within the naval community.

Conclusion

The MOC delivered the command and control, support and operational responses for the three major Task Groups from the six nations involved in Ex TS-19. Commander CJTF 667, MAJGEN Jake Ellwood said that the MCC and MOC provided an excellent capability that was, “fully integrated into the Combined Joint Operations Centre. This ensured that all maritime actions were synchronised into the broader scheme of manoeuvre”.

The MOC was able to deliver a successful effect to support the overall commander in a truly joint command. I would argue that its success was born from the continuous improvement process implemented by the MOC team. These improvement processes add to the existing professional knowledge and habitual coalition relations established in previous iterations of the Talisman Sabre Exercises. Ultimately, it enhances our capability in further joint operations.

On a personal note, the camaraderie and integration of Navy, Army and Air Force, across three nations with a mix of Regular and Reserve personnel made this an enriching and highly enjoyable experience. I commend my fellow Army offi cers to consider serving within the MOC, contributing to the amphibious manoeuvre and taking the opportunity to learn from the highly professional naval war fi ghters within our combined joint midst.

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel John Pearse, CSM is an Army Reserve Armoured Corps offi cer with over 20 years of service both in the Army and RAN, and is currently Commanding Offi cer of the 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment. Prior to his current appointment he was posted to HQ 4 Brigade as the Chief of Staff. His regimental postings include Executive Offi cer, School of Armour and Troop Leader 1st Armoured

Regiment. He has served overseas a number of times, notably on operations in the Solomon Islands, and training with the US Marine Corps at 29 Palms California on the M1A1 tank. Previously John served in a full- time capacity in the Fleet Air Arm in 816 Seahawk Squadron as well as signifi cant training with the RAAF. John has Masters in Military and Defence Studies and a Bachelor of Technology in Air Transport Management.

John is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College (Joint). In his civilian career, he is employed by QinetiQ Australia as a Senior Consultant where he currently supports the RAAF delivery capability.

3



13

aircraft, he completed two deployments on USS Abraham Lincoln in a fl ying role, and is now fl ying with American Airlines. During TS-19 Andrew served as a Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) Liaison Offi cer, responsible for coordination and communications between the MOC and USS Wasp. This also included continued interaction with the Air Support Operation Centre (ASOC) which was largely an air force led element coordinating land-based air capabilities. When asked about his time in the MOC this year Andrew said, “I enjoyed the Aussie sense of humour, great weather and seeing kangaroos, as well as the opportunity to be involved in an exercise of this magnitude”.

As mentioned previously the MOC included a small staff of two offi cers who acted as Land Planners. Major Chris Wagner (USMC) and I were able to quickly integrate with the HQ and provide support for the land piece of the amphibious operations. Our duties included supporting the N35 cell with future planning issues such as fi res de-confl iction, reconnaissance and surveillance insertion, ground control measures with the Australian Amphibious Task Group (ATG), the Japanese Amphibious Ready Deployable Brigade (ARDB), and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). The majority of our interface was with the G35 and G33 planners on the USS Green Bay and USS Wasp. As a cavalry offi cer, the opportunity to work in a combined joint HQ with so many working pieces was a tremendous opportunity. As could be expected with a HQ of this type, Major Wagner and I often spent time with different cells within the MOC explaining concepts of how the land battle would be conducted as well as ensuring that air and sea spaces were de-confl icted with land operations. In the end, it meant that greater synergy between air, land and sea was achieved. Chris and I both felt that our time was very well spent and we made a number of good friends within the naval community.

Conclusion

The MOC delivered the command and control, support and operational responses for the three major Task Groups from the six nations involved in Ex TS-19. Commander CJTF 667, MAJGEN Jake Ellwood said that the MCC and MOC provided an excellent capability that was, “fully integrated into the Combined Joint Operations Centre. This ensured that all maritime actions were synchronised into the broader scheme of manoeuvre”.

The MOC was able to deliver a successful effect to support the overall commander in a truly joint command. I would argue that its success was born from the continuous improvement process implemented by the MOC team. These improvement processes add to the existing professional knowledge and habitual coalition relations established in previous iterations of the Talisman Sabre Exercises. Ultimately, it enhances our capability in further joint operations.

On a personal note, the camaraderie and integration of Navy, Army and Air Force, across three nations with a mix of Regular and Reserve personnel made this an enriching and highly enjoyable experience. I commend my fellow Army offi cers to consider serving within the MOC, contributing to the amphibious manoeuvre and taking the opportunity to learn from the highly professional naval war fi ghters within our combined joint midst.

About the Author

Lieutenant Colonel John Pearse, CSM is an Army Reserve Armoured Corps offi cer with over 20 years of service both in the Army and RAN, and is currently Commanding Offi cer of the 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment. Prior to his current appointment he was posted to HQ 4 Brigade as the Chief of Staff. His regimental postings include Executive Offi cer, School of Armour and Troop Leader 1st Armoured

Regiment. He has served overseas a number of times, notably on operations in the Solomon Islands, and training with the US Marine Corps at 29 Palms California on the M1A1 tank. Previously John served in a full- time capacity in the Fleet Air Arm in 816 Seahawk Squadron as well as signifi cant training with the RAAF. John has Masters in Military and Defence Studies and a Bachelor of Technology in Air Transport Management.

John is a graduate of the Australian Command and Staff College (Joint). In his civilian career, he is employed by QinetiQ Australia as a Senior Consultant where he currently supports the RAAF delivery capability.

3



14

THE ORIGIN OF THE RFD AND RFMMajor Graeme Rees-Jones RFD ED

Army Reserve (RAAC) Retired

IntroductionSince April 1999 members of the Australian Defence Force, both Regular and Reserve, irrespec-tive of rank, have been awarded the Defence Long Service Medal in recognition of 15 years or more long service. This medal replaced the suite of defence force service awards introduced in 1982, which comprised the Defence Force Service Medal for members of the Regular forces and the Reserve Force Medal and the Reserve Force Decoration for members and offi cers of the Reserve forces. This suite also replaced a number of previous awards and therein lies a tale of how the RFD and RFM came about.A conversation in the messThe story begins late on a Thursday night in May 1970, in the Offi cer’s Mess of the 4th/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment depot in Park Street North Carlton, where the CO (Lt Col John Dixon) his 2 i/c (Major Lance Reeder) and I (then CO of Monash University Regiment) were having a deep and meaningful discussion on a variety of topics, including medals for recogniz-ing service in the Reserves. At the time the Effi ciency Decoration (ED) and the Effi ciency Medal were medals awarded for long service in the Reserve. One of us said, ‘The day I need a green and gold ribbon to show that I’m effi cient, I’ll never wear it’. The others all agreed.However when John Dixon retired as the CO, Lance Reeder who succeeded him found Dixon’s ED medal case in the lowest drawer of his desk. So, with due pomp and ceremony, Reeder and

I (who had become his 2 i/c) went to Dixon’s home and presented the medal case to him. Then I told the Adjutant to submit the paperwork for an ED for Reeder. In due course, during a 4TF Offi cers’ TEWT, the Commander presented Reeder with his medal in front of the assembled TF Offi cers.

Origins of the Effi ciency Decoration and Effi ciency MedalThe Effi ciency Medal was instituted in 1930 to award part-time warrant offi cers, non-commissioned offi cers and women after twelve years of effi cient service on the active list of the Militia or the Territorial Army of the United Kingdom, or of the other Auxiliary Military Forces throughout the British Empire. Similarly the Effi ciency Decoration (with post nomi-nals ED) was awarded to Offi cers of the Reserve Forces.In the British Commonwealth, both the Effi ciency Decoration and the Effi ciency Medal have been gradually superseded by national medals in some member countries. Interestingly New Zealand continues to award the Effi ciency Decoration (New Zealand) and the Effi ciency Medal (New Zealand) and is one of a few countries to still do so.

Abolition of the Effi ciency Medal and Effi ciency Decoration for Australia.In 1975 the Whitlam Government abolished the Im-

perial awards and instituted the Australian Honours System. ‘Now that I could not have my ED – I wanted it!!’ The award of the Effi ciency Medal and Effi ciency Decoration was replaced by a single award the National Medal.

Introduction of the National MedalThe National Medal was an Australian award given for long service by operational members of specifi ed eligible organisations. It was introduced in 1975, as an original component of the new Australian honours system, and replaced a range of medals available to military and civilian uniformed services for long service and good conduct. The award was originally available to members of the Australian Defence Force, Australian police services, fi re services and ambu-lance services. Eligible service was only counted after a person turned 18, service had to be continuous and the qualifying period was 15 years.

Lobbying for appropriate recognition of Military Service Within the Military there was wide-spread disappointment that the National Medal (often re-ferred to as ‘Gough’s Gong’, did not adequately refl ect the unique nature of military service,

01


0


(particularly Reserve Service).At that time, the Victorian Committee of the then CMF Association comprised BRIG Ian Lowan as President, LTCOL Don McLeod as Secretary, LTCOL David Bullard, LTCOL John Bennett and myself. The committee was much affronted by the removal of appropriate recognition of service in the Reserves and a complaint was referred to the National Committee of the CMF Association and rather ‘heavy’ correspondence between the Association and the Government then ensued.Time passed, and in 1977 the Whitlam government was dismissed and more amicable relations existed between Major General John McDonald (the then Federal President of the CMF Association) and Malcolm Fraser, the new PM. Lob-bying by a number of interest groups for a new suite of Medals which uniquely identifi ed Reserve service gathered momentum.Introduction of the Reserve Force Decoration and the Reserve Force MedalIn 1982 the Defence Forces withdrew from the National Medal, with the introduction of the Defence Force Service Awards (comprising the Defence Force Service Medal, the Reserve Force Decoration and the Reserve Force Medal).

The Reserve Force Decoration (post-nominal RFD) may be awarded to offi cers who have, on or after 14 February 1975 and before 20 April 1999, completed 15 years effi cient remunerated service in the Reserve Forces. The Reserve Force Medal may be awarded to a member (NCO or OR) who has, on or after 14 February 1975 and before 20 April 1999, completed 15 years effi cient remunerated service in the Reserve Forces. A minimum of 12 years in the Reserve and up to 3 years in the Regular Forces (to total 15 years) can be counted towards the medal only. The Defence Force Service Medal is awarded to members of the Regular Forces. As mentioned in the introduction, these medals have now all been replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal.

Conclusion In 1982, changes to the regulations for the award of long service medals resulted in the retention of the ED for all those who had qualifi ed and the introduction of new medals to be called the Reserve Forces Decoration with the right of post nominal and the Reserve Forces Medal to recognize Reserve Service.Thus, the RFD and RFM were conceived in bravado and born in compromise. It now being 20 years since the cut-off date to qualify, fewer and fewer serving members of the Reserve now wear the RFD or RFM.

About the Author Graeme Rees Jones was conscripted in January 1955 and remained in the Citizen Military Forces (Army Reserve) after receiving a commission in 1956 whilst serving in MUR. He subsequently served in the 4/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and held a number of regimental appointments including second-in-command (three times). He was the fi rst Commanding Offi cer of the Monash University Regiment and also held Administrative Command of 4/19th PWLH from May to December 1977.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Melbourne University in 1961. He practiced as a Solicitor specialising in commercial and company law. He later became a Barrister and moved to Noosa in 1988 where he has been a legal consultant to the Noosa Shire Council. He was an member of the Defence Reserve Support Council and continues to be an active member of the Defence Reserves Association.

Reserve Force Decoration Reserve Force Medal Defence Force Service Medal

2



15

(particularly Reserve Service).At that time, the Victorian Committee of the then CMF Association comprised BRIG Ian Lowan as President, LTCOL Don McLeod as Secretary, LTCOL David Bullard, LTCOL John Bennett and myself. The committee was much affronted by the removal of appropriate recognition of service in the Reserves and a complaint was referred to the National Committee of the CMF Association and rather ‘heavy’ correspondence between the Association and the Government then ensued.Time passed, and in 1977 the Whitlam government was dismissed and more amicable relations existed between Major General John McDonald (the then Federal President of the CMF Association) and Malcolm Fraser, the new PM. Lob-bying by a number of interest groups for a new suite of Medals which uniquely identifi ed Reserve service gathered momentum.Introduction of the Reserve Force Decoration and the Reserve Force MedalIn 1982 the Defence Forces withdrew from the National Medal, with the introduction of the Defence Force Service Awards (comprising the Defence Force Service Medal, the Reserve Force Decoration and the Reserve Force Medal).

The Reserve Force Decoration (post-nominal RFD) may be awarded to offi cers who have, on or after 14 February 1975 and before 20 April 1999, completed 15 years effi cient remunerated service in the Reserve Forces. The Reserve Force Medal may be awarded to a member (NCO or OR) who has, on or after 14 February 1975 and before 20 April 1999, completed 15 years effi cient remunerated service in the Reserve Forces. A minimum of 12 years in the Reserve and up to 3 years in the Regular Forces (to total 15 years) can be counted towards the medal only. The Defence Force Service Medal is awarded to members of the Regular Forces. As mentioned in the introduction, these medals have now all been replaced by the Defence Long Service Medal.

Conclusion In 1982, changes to the regulations for the award of long service medals resulted in the retention of the ED for all those who had qualifi ed and the introduction of new medals to be called the Reserve Forces Decoration with the right of post nominal and the Reserve Forces Medal to recognize Reserve Service.Thus, the RFD and RFM were conceived in bravado and born in compromise. It now being 20 years since the cut-off date to qualify, fewer and fewer serving members of the Reserve now wear the RFD or RFM.

About the Author Graeme Rees Jones was conscripted in January 1955 and remained in the Citizen Military Forces (Army Reserve) after receiving a commission in 1956 whilst serving in MUR. He subsequently served in the 4/19th Prince of Wales’s Light Horse Regiment and held a number of regimental appointments including second-in-command (three times). He was the fi rst Commanding Offi cer of the Monash University Regiment and also held Administrative Command of 4/19th PWLH from May to December 1977.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Melbourne University in 1961. He practiced as a Solicitor specialising in commercial and company law. He later became a Barrister and moved to Noosa in 1988 where he has been a legal consultant to the Noosa Shire Council. He was an member of the Defence Reserve Support Council and continues to be an active member of the Defence Reserves Association.

Reserve Force Decoration Reserve Force Medal Defence Force Service Medal

2



16

2019 COLONEL JIM WOOD, MURA TRAVEL SCHOLARSHIPReport by Lieutenant Matthew Taylor, RAEME

IntroductionMy name is Matthew Taylor and I am a Lieutenant in the Army Reserve and a recent graduate of the Royal Military College, Duntroon. As an Army Reserve offi cer I completed my training with the Melbourne University Regiment (MUR) before attending the College in January for my fi nal course prior to commissioning. Once I had returned from Duntroon I was fortunate to receive a Scholarship from MUR’s association which sponsored a trip to the UK to visit the British Army’s Rifl es Regiment during March 2019. The Colonel J. Wood MURA Travel Scholarship, is awarded biennially and is open to all Lieutenants who have graduated from MUR in the period following the previous scholarship. My trip was only a few weeks in length but it allowed me to visit four battalions as well as Regimental Headquarters, before I fl ew to France for a battlefi eld tour of the Western Front. My trip was truly a once in a life time opportunity and is without a doubt one of my best Army experiences to date. Dreghorn Barracks, EdinburghMy trip began in Edinburgh at Dreghorn Barracks, the home of 3 Rifl es, a mechanised battalion currently transitioning to its new role as one of the British Army’s ‘Strike’ battalions. The strike role is focused on agility and will see 3 Rifl es at continual operational readiness in the not too distant future, where they will be able to self-deploy with minimal logistical support. I say the ‘not too distant’ future because when I arrived all but one third of the battalion was currently deployed to Iraq on Operation Shader. My host at 3 Rifl es was CAPT Tom Talbor, a former Signals offi cer who had been lured to the Rifl es by its prestige and reputation. Tom was an exceptional host and did a fantastic job at showing me around the battalion as well as the city itself. Much like the Australian Army, the British are embracing computer simulation as a genuine training tool and I was given a fi rsthand look at a trial simulation exercise. Each rifl eman was assigned a computer and a specifi ed role, while the mission cycles ranged in complexity and the threat picture evolved. It didn’t always go to plan though, as it had become a common occurrence for a rifl eman to inadvertently run over his commander once he had disembarked a vehicle, and the computer-based opposition force was obviously well trained. During one mission cycle they didn’t miss a single shot and it wasn’t long before a section strength force had decimated the combat team. Deadly computer-based enemy force elements aside, Edinburgh was a beautiful city and a terrifi c place to start the trip before I headed south to 6 Rifl es and HQ Infantry.6 Rifl es and HQ Infantry, Exeter and BathI arrived in Exeter and was promptly greeted by CAPT Aaron Dishman from RHQ and taken to 6 Rifl es at Wyvern Barracks. This was my fi rst opportunity to meet some of the part-time members of the Regiment as 6 Rifl es is one of the Rifl es’ three Reserve battalions. While it wasn’t a parade night there were a number of members supporting a school cadet training day and a couple of lieutenants present who I had the chance to chat with. Through these conversations it was clear that we were quite similar in terms of our training, experiences and the opportunities that lie ahead in our careers. Following ‘knock off’, Aaron and I travelled to Bath and along the way discussed his role and what it meant to be a rifl eman. It became evident that the Rifl es are an exceptionally proud Regiment and unashamedly confi dent in plying their trade, as their motto ‘swift and bold’ would allude to. Following my stay over in Bath, Aaron took me to his offi ce at HQ Infantry and showed me around briefl y before we said our goodbyes and I began the four-hour car ride to Castlemartin in Wales.5 Rifl es, CastlemartinCold, foggy, and wet, that’s how I’d describe my time with 5 Rifl es in the Castlemartin Training Area. With that said, my few days with the Regiment’s armoured infantry battalion were some of my favourite of the trip. The opportunity to climb in and all over the British Army’s infantry fi ghting vehicle, named the Warrior, was fantastic. What was even better though, was standing on the back deck of the turret as it fi red volleys of 7.62mm from the coaxial machine gun interspersed with 30mm rounds from the main cannon. My time on the range also presented an excellent opportunity to get to know the offi cers and the rifl emen of the Battalion as there was often lengthy wait times between serials. The rifl eman came from a variety of backgrounds but it became apparent that they had many things in common. They were young, adventure-seeking men who wanted to better Training with The Rifl es

01


0



17

themselves through their service. That said though, some had become restless, both in the sense that they’d already spent a week in the same waiting shed and also in their careers, as some had already put in for a discharge and were simply fi nishing up their last year. Another observation I made was that the tongue-in-cheek sense of humour of the British was near identical to our own and goes a long way in explaining how our forces can work together so well.

4 Rifl es, Aldershot

After a brief trip into London I found myself in Aldershot with 4 Rifl es, the Regiment’s Specialised Infantry Battalion. 4 Rifl es, along with 1 SCOTS, 2 PWRR, and 2 LANCS, form the Specialised Infantry Group, the British Army’s new training capability that aims to develop partner forces through the delivery of highly professional ‘specialised’ training. After a night in Aldershot I joined B Company on their week-long conference with their colleagues from the three other Regiments at Kendrew Barracks in Cottesmore. This conference saw the members of 4 Rifl es work through everything from training development to logistics estimates and medical planning. As the Rifl es were one of the fi rst Regiments to have a specialised infantry battalion, they were in most areas leaps and bounds in front of their colleagues and were not ashamed to say it. They had worked hard to develop their skills and procedures from the lessons they had learnt from previous deployments and appeared well placed for their trip to Africa later this year. My visit to 4 Rifl es was capped off with a quick visit to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst before I travelled to Arras France to begin my tour of the Western Front.

The Western Front

The enormity of the Australian sacrifi ce and the gratitude of the French and Belgium people are the two lasting impressions I have from my three-day tour. I found my visit to the town of Villers-Bretonneux in particular to be quite moving as it perfectly illustrated both of these concepts. Within the town is the Victoria School, a primary school rebuilt following the War thanks to the fundraising by Victorian children and soldiers. In the courtyard of

this little school is a powerful message written in big green and gold letters, ‘Do Not Forget Australia’. This beautiful gesture was one of many I saw throughout my time in Northern France, but as I mentioned, Villers-Bretonneux also provided an opportunity to refl ect on the loss of Australian life. Just outside the town is the Australian National Memorial where the names of more than 10,000 soldiers killed on the Western Front are listed. It’s hard to imagine that this pristine countryside was once the site of such a deadly and costly confl ict. The Sir John Monash Centre which was opened in April 2018 is also located at the Memorial and is a wonderful addition. The Centre is a state-of-the-art museum with numerous interactive displays and exhibits which allow visitors to be immersed in the battles of the Western Front and bring a gritty realism to an otherwise foreign experience.

The moment that spoke to me most profoundly on my tour was the Last Post ceremony performed at the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Ypres. The Last Post is played at the site every night by the town’s fi re fi ghters and often attracts over a 1,000 people, all wanting to pay their respects. It was a powerful moment - even though I was on the other side of the world I felt like I was back home at an Anzac Day Service in the heart of Melbourne, such was the similarity of the occasion.

Conclusion

While I have provided only a brief summary of the wonderful experiences that the COL J. Wood MURA Travel Scholarship offered, I will undoubtedly have memories to cherish and share for a life time. Overseas opportunities for Reservists are certainly available and I encourage any member to seek them out, or at the very least ask your boss about a Reserve foreign forces service arrangement.

This Travel Award Report reprinted with the kind permission of the Melbourne University Rifl es Association (MURA).

Villers-Bretonneux

2



18

OBITUARY Colonel Graham John Montague Farley OAM RFD ED

BCom BEd MEdAdmin ThL FACECitizen Soldier, Educator, Scouting Leader, Theologian

14 June 1933 - 30 April 2019

Colonel Graham Farley was born, in Cheam, Surrey England. His parents migrated to Australia in 1937 in order that his father could join the Australian management team of the North British Insurance Company Limited and the Insurance Offi ce of Australia.Farley attended Malvern Memorial Grammar School, now part of Caulfi eld Grammar School, from 1939 to 1950. In his last year he was School Captain and Dux of the School. In 1947 when the school commenced an Air Training Corps fl ight, he joined as a foundation member. He temporarily held one of the fi rst fl ying scholarships to be awarded in 1951. At age 18, when his service concluded he was a Flight-Sergeant. However this was not the end but rather the start of a long association with the Military which was to last until he reached rank retirement age in 1988.Following a trip back to England in 1951, he successfully applied for a Victorian Education Department secondary teaching studentship and commenced study towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree at The University of Melbourne. After completing the fi rst year of a Bachelor of Education degree in 1955, he took up his fi rst teaching position at Mirboo North High School in South Gippsland. Subsequent teaching appointments included Princes Hill High, Warragul High, Bell Park

High, North Geelong High and fi nally Birchip High School where he was principal. During a distinguished teaching career he taught commerce, history and geography. In January 1954, Farley was called up for National Service. He was posted to the 15th National Service Battalion at Puckapunyal, Victoria. At the end of three months full time service he was then posted to the Melbourne University Regiment where he initially joined the Medium Machine Gun Platoon of Support Company. Farley recalls that he was present at Puckapunyal on the “memorable” weekend that MUR Support Company’s anti-tank platoon further damaged a disabled Second World War tank that had been left on the range awaiting recovery.He undertook offi cer training and was initially commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps in December 1955. However as MUR was also required to train artillery offi cers he completed a course conducted at 2nd Field Regiment and subsequently converted to the Artillery and was posted to 22nd (Self-Propelled) Field Regiment in February 1956. He later served with 15th Field Regiment. In September 1959 he was promoted to Captain and occupied the roles of Troop Commander and Assistant Adjutant.He briefl y served on the Staff of Headquarters 3rd Division before moving to Warragul (to take up a new teaching position at Warragul High School), where he was appointed Acting Battery Commander Q Bty 15th Field Regiment RAA. Following studies at the Command Staff Training Unit he qualifi ed for Major and was promoted in December 1962 and confi rmed in his appointment as Q Battery Commander 15th Field Regiment. When the Warragul depot was converted to RAEME in 1964, he paraded as the Battery Commander P Battery at the artillery Regimental Headquarters in Dandenong.In 1965 he took up a teaching appointment in Geelong Victoria, and at the same time was posted to the 10 Medium Regiment RAA, (also located in Geelong) as Battery Commander.Farley took a year’s leave from teaching in 1966 and spent it in the United Kingdom where, in addition to teaching and tourism, he was attached for military training to 263rd Surrey Yeomanry Queen Mary’s Regiment, Royal Artillery (TA.), where he was under-study to one of the battery captains. Annual camp was at Sennybridge in Wales and fi ring

01



19

OBITUARY Colonel Graham John Montague Farley OAM RFD ED

BCom BEd MEdAdmin ThL FACECitizen Soldier, Educator, Scouting Leader, Theologian

14 June 1933 - 30 April 2019

Colonel Graham Farley was born, in Cheam, Surrey England. His parents migrated to Australia in 1937 in order that his father could join the Australian management team of the North British Insurance Company Limited and the Insurance Offi ce of Australia.Farley attended Malvern Memorial Grammar School, now part of Caulfi eld Grammar School, from 1939 to 1950. In his last year he was School Captain and Dux of the School. In 1947 when the school commenced an Air Training Corps fl ight, he joined as a foundation member. He temporarily held one of the fi rst fl ying scholarships to be awarded in 1951. At age 18, when his service concluded he was a Flight-Sergeant. However this was not the end but rather the start of a long association with the Military which was to last until he reached rank retirement age in 1988.Following a trip back to England in 1951, he successfully applied for a Victorian Education Department secondary teaching studentship and commenced study towards a Bachelor of Commerce degree at The University of Melbourne. After completing the fi rst year of a Bachelor of Education degree in 1955, he took up his fi rst teaching position at Mirboo North High School in South Gippsland. Subsequent teaching appointments included Princes Hill High, Warragul High, Bell Park

High, North Geelong High and fi nally Birchip High School where he was principal. During a distinguished teaching career he taught commerce, history and geography. In January 1954, Farley was called up for National Service. He was posted to the 15th National Service Battalion at Puckapunyal, Victoria. At the end of three months full time service he was then posted to the Melbourne University Regiment where he initially joined the Medium Machine Gun Platoon of Support Company. Farley recalls that he was present at Puckapunyal on the “memorable” weekend that MUR Support Company’s anti-tank platoon further damaged a disabled Second World War tank that had been left on the range awaiting recovery.He undertook offi cer training and was i

the australian reservistdra.org.au/371/images/tar2_2019_web.pdf · 2020. 10. 16. · the australian...

Documents