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TRANSCRIPT
FACE OFFACE OF COURAGECOURAGE
Edition 1182 February 7, 2008
LOOK WHAT’S FLOWN IN: FIRST MRH90s ARRIVE – SEE P7
Three months after a Taliban IED badly wounded him, Sgt Michael Lyddiard is back at work. Read his remarkable tale on Page 2
Photo by Cpl Mike McSweeney
Army February 7, 2008
2 NEWS
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DisclaimerArmy is published fortnightly by Defence Newspapers. It is printed under contract by Capital Fine Print. The material published is selected for its interest. The views expressed in published articles are not necessarily those of Defence or Army. Every advertisement is subject to the Directorate of Defence Newspapers approval and the Directorate of Defence Newspapers may, at its discretion, refuse to accept an advertisement for publication. The Directorate of Defence Newspapers accepts no responsibility or liability in relation to any loss due to the failure of an advertisement to appear or if it appears in a form which is not in accordance with the instructions received by the Directorate of Defence Newspapers. The fact that an advertisement is accepted for publication does not mean that the product of service has the endorsement of the Department of Defence or Army.
By Cpl Mike McSweeneyand Lt Bill Heck
A TALIBAN IED has not daunt-ed the spirit of Sgt Michael Lyddiard, whose courage helped him return to work in Townsville on January 21.
It has been less than three months since Sgt Lyddiard lost his right eye and forearm to an IED he was attempting to render safe in Afghanistan.
The explosives ordnance disposal operator said his decision to return to his second family – 3CER – was well supported by Army.
“I’m happy with light duties because I really pushed for heavy duties,” Sgt Lyddiard, who is a quar-ter of the way through rehabilitation, said.
The 13-year veteran thanked all who had supported him since the incident, and praised the efforts of his mates who saved his life.
He recalled being part of an RTF convoy returning to base on November 2 last year.
He said the infantry soldiers did their job “extremely well” when
Base honourSGT Michael Lyddiard has not been forgotten by his mates in Afghanistan – in fact they have named a base after him. RTF 3 soldiers built the Afghan National Army patrol base in Oruzgan province. The Afghan troops occupy-ing the base and their Dutch counterparts agreed that Patrol Base Khyber will now carry the local name of Camp Lyddiard.
Triumph of spirit
By Cpl Corinne Boer
SOLDIERS, sailors and airmen who have been seriously wounded in action can recuperate with family thanks to an RSL program.
Operation Care was initiated by the RSL and Services clubs association and provides up to one week’s rest and recuperation at sites throughout the country for selected service personnel who have been wounded in combat operation.
Chief Executive Officer of the RSL and Services Clubs Association Graeme Carroll said that in a best case scenario it was hoped that Operation Care was never required.
But the vagaries of operations were such that people had been wounded and needed to be repatriated to Australia, he said.
“It’s designed to provide Defence per-sonnel who are wounded overseas and repatriated to Australia with leave to spend time with their family prior to them going back to active service,” Mr Carroll said.
“This program provides some respite so they can reflect on what has occurred.”
A member’s travel and accommodation expenses are covered by Operation Care.
Eight members have benefitted from the program since its launched in October 2006.
Mr Carroll said the feedback from the participants has been positive.
“Beyond helping those people who are wounded in action we see it in a wider per-spective as well in building that relationship between the RSL clubs, the RSL and the Defence Department,” he said
The project has been made possible by member clubs of the RSL & Services Clubs Association in NSW, which have agreed to provide funding for the program in keeping with the clubs’ objectives to support our Anzac traditions.
» Units can nominate members through the chain of command to Army referring mem-ber Col Peter Daniel on (02) 9339 3496. For further information on Operation Care visit www.rslservicesclubs.com.au and click the Operation Care button.
Wounded helped byRSL Care program
THE Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Service will conduct an Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Program (OATP) at Holsworthy from February 25-28.
The OATP is a tri-service four-day group program which aims to educate members who are drinking alcohol at risky levels (specifically binge drinking) on how to reduce their alcohol intake to safe levels.
Program coordinator and facilitator Louise Hawkins said the program was particularly useful for personnel who thought that their alcohol use was start-ing to cause problems with their work performance, relationships and health.
“On completion of the program, fol-low up support is available. Participants have access to psychologists if required, however, the information provided over the four days is often enough for the members to change their drinking behav-iour without further intervention”.
The program provides education on topics such as safe, responsible use of alcohol, goal setting, stress management, problem solving, communication skills and relapse prevention.
» Inquiries to Louise Hawkins on (02) 8782 3033 or [email protected]
Put a cap on alcohol intake
they identified a possible IED and reported it over the radio.
The EOD sergeant explained that by rendering safe the device, it could be studied and exploited.
“If we don’t do it, we’re putting more soldiers at risk,” he said.
With his buddy in position, Sgt Lyddiard crawled towards the IED on his stomach.
“My number two turned around and said: ‘Lydds, you’re doing a great job, mate’. I remember clear-ing it, my buddy being there, and
then it going off,” he said.“I blacked out during the blast,
but I awoke as soon as I landed on my back. I felt the sensation of blood and I heard my mates come to my aid.”
A corporal took immediate con-trol of the incident site. A sapper, trooper and lance corporal rendered first aid while a sergeant coordinated security and the medical evacuation, with assistance from another sapper.
“These blokes went straight into action as soon as the device went off and saved my life,” Sgt Lyddiard said.
“Being mates, they encouraged me, they talked about my wife, they talked about my child and talked about me getting back to work. “They controlled my bleeding, but more importantly they kept me going mentally.”
He later learnt that a mate had stayed with him for the six hours he was at a medical facility in Kandahar.
He also thanked a nurse called Anna, who made sure “the first voice I heard was an Australian one when I woke up”.
Sgt Lyddiard was later trans-ferred to a hospital in Germany, and thanked the “sensational” efforts of the medical staff there.
He paid tribute to his wife Katri, who was by his side when he awoke in Germany.
“Katri has fully supported me all the way through my career, and more importantly, has ensured that I had love and support around me since the incident,” he said.
Sgt Lyddiard said he would return to Afghanistan in a heart beat, but that his family might have some-thing to say about it.
Fortunately, 3CER will still ben-efit from his experience and spirit as the soldier takes up an operations and training position at the unit.
“I’ve wanted nothing but to be a combat engineer,” he said.
“I wanted nothing but to build the bridges, build the roads and help the (Afghan) community when we did that task. Being an EOD is what I wanted to do.”
Sgt Lyddiard also extended his thanks to those who sent letters and flowers throughout his recovery.
Happy moment: Commander 3 Bde Brig John Caligari, Sgt Michael Lyddiard, wife Katri and Maj Roger McMurray are all smiles before Sgt Lyddiard’s first day back to work at 3CER in Townsville. Photo by Cpl Mike McSweeney
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Army February 7, 2008
NEWS 3
By Cpl Mike McSweeney
5 AVN Regt was flat out preparing for two operations as severe storms lashed Townsville in January.
B Sqn Black Hawks bound for Timor-Leste and C Sqn Chinooks heading to Afghanistan were con-ducting mission rehearsal exercises.
While it will be the fifth rota-tion out of seven for B Sqn on Op Astute, the Black Hawk crews still conducted intense training.
OC B Sqn Maj Dave Hafner said the squadron had just returned from mountain flying in Papua New Guinea and were conducting the last of their rehearsals.
“They culminate in a number of mission profiles that replicate some of the tasks that we do in theatre, ranging from aeromedical evacu-ations to air mobile operations in formation,” Maj Hafner said.
He said although there were stringent limits on acceptable flying conditions, conducting the training during Townsville’s wet season had its advantages.
“You need to train people to get used to working in degraded weath-er,” he said.
Chinook crews were also adapt-ing to the adverse conditions.
“If we were in theatre now, it wouldn’t be too far different,” C Sqn OC Maj Jason Duggan said.
Since returning from Afghanistan last year, C Sqn personnel have been busy finalising the upgrades to com-munications, electronic self-defence and ballistic protection.
Maj Duggan said the M134D minigun was another welcome addi-tion to the Chinook’s self protection suite.
“To have that extra firepower as a deterrent for starters, is an extreme advantage to us,” he said.
5 Avn Regt is one of the few Chinook operators in the world that use miniguns.
In addition to the upgrades, it was the crews’ can-do attitude that earned their high reputation in Afghanistan last rotation.
Wet doesn’t stop dry run
“We had a focus to support the guys and girls on the ground and do what we could,” Maj Duggan said.
“If it meant we hang around a bit longer or take a bit more, as long as we could, we would.”
Upgraded GE714 engines, installed in early 2007, meant the Aussie Chinook crews could do even more.
“The upgraded engines are fan-tastic,” Chinook pilot Capt Scott
Matthey said. “The old engines were already pretty good but these ones give you about 25 per cent more power and a lower fuel burn... and they’re more reliable.”
Capt Matthey said he looked for-ward to redeploying on Op Slipper.
“Last time I was there for four months and you miss the family but doing the job in country is enjoy-able,” he said. “Some days all you do is eat, sleep and fly.”
CHINOOK loadmaster Cpl Nathan Mathews (pictured) recently qualified on the M134D minigun in Townsville. “It’s like using a big hose. I’d hate to be on the receiv-ing end,” Cpl Mathews said. Qualifying on the M134D only takes a day. “Once you figure out how the differ-ent components work, you load the rounds on, turn the electric switch, hit the button and you’re off. They’re not too shabby at all. If they’re really humming, you can zip through a 4000-round bin in next to nothing. Not that you’d do that in reality.”
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Top training: A Chinook and a Black Hawk from 5 Avn Regt conduct training runs in Townsville in the lead-up to deployments to Afghanistan and Timor-Leste.Photos by Cpl Mike McSweeney
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Army February 7, 2008
4 NEWS
By Cpl Mike McSweeneyand Sgt Dave Morley
THERE was a passing of the pace stick on December 14 when the new senior soldier was announced in Canberra.
Army’s seventh RSM-A WO Kevin Woods will retire on February 29, and has handed the reins to WO Stephen Ward.
CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy described WO Woods as the quintessential RSM who served with distinction throughout his 34 year career.
“WO Woods is a soldier of superla-tive quality, characterised by his unre-lenting dedication, drive and profession-alism,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.
“His moral courage, leadership and integrity have inspired Army soldiers to strive for excellence and do their best.”
Among the highlights of WO Woods’ career was the awarding of the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1996 for meri-torious service to the School of Infantry and 49RQR.
“I’ve had a great 34 years in the Army, it’s been fantastic,” WO Woods said.
“Being a corporal was the most fun because you were your own boss when it came to training and looking after your men. But being RSM-A was the best job because you had some input.”
WO Woods said the Army had never been in better shape in his 34 years.
He said the Army’s success was a credit to the leadership of his last boss, but recalled a time when the duo were not at their best – on stage.
“Hearing the boss and I sing, I know why we joined the Army, because we would have starved to death as musicians.”
RSM-A farewelled
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington
MOST soldiers aim to serve 20 years, then retire and move onto another career. Not so the VCDF, Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie, who last month reached the milestone of 40 years service.
Lt-Gen Gillespie joined the Army at Brisbane on January 15, 1968, aged 15 years.
He said he did not know why he joined; it was always a life long ambition, even at that early age.
“When I was a little kid on a farm, I listened to a radio drama based on the events of WWII in the Pacific; it used to support CMF recruiting in those days,” Lt-Gen Gillespie said.
“It was sort of the soldier’s ver-sion of Biggles and it fired me up and made me want to be a soldier.”
Lt-Gen Gillespie joined the Army not as an officer, but as an apprentice.
“I was a brick layer and com-pleted my four year apprentice-ship at the Apprentice School at Balcombe in Victoria,” he said.
“It was good for a young kid, it was a college life, there was a lot of sport and excitement, with little parental supervision.
“It was good fun.”During his apprenticeship he
realised he had to do something else if he was going to stay in the Army, so he decided to become an officer.
“Luckily I passed the selection process on the completion of my apprenticeship,” Lt-Gen Gillespie said.
“I went to Portsea, spent 12 months there and was commis-sioned as a second Lieutenant in December 1972.”
He said he had many career highlights since then, including being selected to work in the UK as an instructor.
“I worked at the Royal School of Military Engineering in1986-87,” he said.
“Other career highlights were being promoted to Lt-Col, select-ed as the contingent deputy and ops officer for the contingent to Namibia.
“As a senior officer I have com-manded troops in Timor Leste,
Quintessential soldier: The seventh RSM-A, WO Woods, will retire on February 29 after 34 years dedicated service. Photo by LAC Aaron Curren
WO Woods thanked his family for their unrelenting support throughout his career and was looking forward to taking “some leave and getting to know them again”.
“I’d be very happy if all those guys in uniform could just go back and from me say to their families ‘thanks very much for their support’.”
The career soldier said the one thing he wouldn’t miss was doing gun piquet at Puckapunyal at 1am in the middle of winter.
Enlisted 1973 CSM 5/7RAR 1988
Field Training 1990 WSM, RMC
RSM School of 1992 Infantry
RSM 49RQR 1994
RSM 3 Bde 1998
RSM Training 2000Comd
ADFA SM 2003
RSM-A 2003
WO WOODSDISTINGUISHEDARMY CAREER
VCDF clocks up40 years service
have held the position of Land Commander and now the VCDF, so I’ve had a lucky but truly rewarding 40 years,” he said.
Lt-Gen Gillespie said the most challenging aspect of his career so far, would be trying to continue to stay fresh in his job.
“I worked hard to try and remain agile of thought and mind and not become one of those generals who sits there, has no fresh ideas and rev-els in the good old days,” he said.
“You have to keep to your ideas and be prepared to morph yourself and the organisation into something that is ready for the next war and not the past war.”
On reaching the 40 year milestone Lt-Gen Gillespie said he has hardly noticed the time pass since his enlist-ment day in 1968.
“It’s passed in a heart beat,” he said.
For serving Army members Lt-Gen Gillespie said he liked to think that his career experience could be seen as an example of what was pos-
sible in the ADF today.“If you are prepared to take
your opportunities, work hard and make successes of them, you can travel from apprentice brick layer to General and I don’t think there are too many military forces in the world where that can happen,” he said.
Lt-Gen Gillespie said he was unsure what path his future in the Army would take.
“The Government will make up its mind about the new Defence lead-ership team in July,” he said.
“Whether I am a part of that or not is a matter for the Government, so my horizons for the rest of my military career could be as short as the next four or five months, or it could be a while longer,” he said.
“If I serve on I will do it gladly and put my efforts into it.
“As to what I will do after the Army, I don’t know what I will do at the moment. It is a debate between my wife and I at present and she cer-tainly sees me as a continuing mem-ber of the work force!”
Memories: VCDF Lt-Gen Ken Gillespie with a photo of himself back when his career began on January 15, 1968. Photo by Cpl Andrew Hetherington
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Army February 7, 2008
NEWS 5
COMMENT has been invited on a report that has recommended replac-ing the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme.
Defence Science and Personnel Minister Warren Snowdon released the report of the Review into Military Superannuation Arrangements on December 24.
Di rec to r-Genera l o f Defence Superannuation Brian Paule said Defence personnel had until March 31 to com-ment on the report’s findings and rec-ommendations, and made it clear that the new Government had yet to form an opinion on the recommendations.
The review found that while “the MSBS compares reasonably well with most overseas military schemes and with other Australian schemes for ‘uniformed bodies’, it still falls well short of best practice contemporary superannuation”.
Authors Andrew Podger, former pub-lic service commissioner, Dr David Knox and Air-Cdre Lee Roberts proposed a new scheme comprised of an accumula-tion plan and death and disability ben-efits.
Membership, without administration fees, for non-ADF employer contribu-tions, would be available to a serving
Defence member’s spouse and dependant children, and also to all reservists.
The review recommended a “substan-tial effort to educate members” about the proposed scheme, as individuals would take more responsibility for the manage-ment of their superannuation savings.
The recommendations are aligned with the review’s guiding principles that military superannuation should be flex-ible, simple, adequate, tailored, visibly attractive and financially sustainable.
The new scheme would need an immediate $7-$8 billion injection, if a 2009 introduction, was achievable.
The review speculated that the money could be drawn from the Future Fund, an account created by the Howard Government to provide for the Commonwealth’s unfunded superannua-tion liability.
“The Future Fund is the most obvious source of the initial cash required,” the report said.
“In basic economic and financial terms, these cash requirements will not have any real impact if taken from the Future Fund.”
» Submissions and comment on the report can be made at http://www.defence.gov.au/militarysuperreview/
Proposal for super changes
By Cpl Corinne Boer
A PTI from ADFA braved rough surf to save a fisher-man from a capsized boat in Victoria last month.
Cpl Emily Sapwell swam 200m at Queenscliffe, 100km south-east of Melbourne, to rescue the fisherman on January 7.
His boat had drifted to sea from the beach.
“We saw the boat turn over and when the man didn’t pop back up after about 20 seconds I and another guy swam out,” Cpl Sapwell said.
“I dived down under the canopy and the fisherman was underneath it … there were no air pockets and he had his hip waders on so he was floating upside down. He couldn’t swim and he was really disoriented.”
Cpl Sapwell grabbed the fisherman by his feet, hauled him from the vessel and dragged him to shore.
“He had taken on a bit of water and was coughing and spluttering but he was all right, just a bit dazed,” she said.
Cpl Sapwell, who was on leave at the time, was
with her father on the beach that day and saw the boat stuck on the beach with a second vessel.
They spent an hour dig-ging the boats out of the sand, but the vessel with the fisherman drifted out to sea and capsized.
The PTI said the Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) she did in Townsville as a petroleum operator helped her handle the situation.
“I have done scuba div-ing before and the HUET training helped a lot too,” she said.
“I just knew which way was up and knew what it was like being disorientated when you are upside down. “The training made the situ-ation a lot easier to handle.”
Cpl Sapwell said that her physical training gave her the strength to pull the man ashore.
“I grew up as a little nip-per surfer and I’ve always had an active lifestyle so it’s made me fitter, stronger and faster,” she said. “As an NCO in the Army, when something goes wrong we can’t panic we just have to deal with the situation.”
PTI rescues trapped fisherman
Life-saver: Cpl Emily Sapwell back at work at ADFA after rescuing a man while on leave in Victoria. Photo by Cpl Corinne Boer
Army February 7, 2008
6 NEWS
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Armed Forces
By Cpl Andrew Hetherington
ALL the attention, care and maintenance soldiers pay to their personal weapon should also be shown to body armour and helmets.
Lt-Col Jason Walk, SO1 Susta inment Directorate of Logistics – Army, said personnel who wore the protective equip-ment should treat it with respect because it could save their lives.
The Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA) consists of three main components; the main vest, separate ballistic plate inserts and a helmet.
“It should not be dropped or thrown on the ground when remov-ing it from your body, as sudden hard shocks do have the ability to degrade its ability to function at its optimum performance,” Lt-Col Walk said.
Soldiers who believe their body armour does not meet the spec-ifications outlined in the ECBA Maintenance Data Sheet NSN 7610-66-155-2995 should seek to
VESTS AND SOFT ARMOUR INSERTS: Inspection of the vest is similar to the inspection regime you would carry out on all load carriage equipment. Check for excessive rips in the fabric or loose stitching, broken buckles, zips or Velcro fasteners along with excessive scuffing and general wear or weakness in the fabric of the vest. The purpose is to ensure the vest can continue to carry and protect both the soft armour inserts and the Ballistic plates. Avoid allowing the vest to be contaminated with stains of oil or grease on the garment as over time this might degrade the vest’s ability to func-tion at its peak performance. With the soft armour inserts, look for any sign of the Aramid (yellow fabric) showing through the nylon protective cover and any broken, excessively worn or modified soft armour.
PLATES: Visually inspect the edges and surface of plates for any sign of scuffs, dents, scratches, blemishes or frayed fabric on the outer nylon cover, or painted surface that exposes the internal structure. Check for heavy impact damage by de-lamination of the front face of the cover material and by shaking the plate from left to right for sound of loose ceramic parts inside. Lastly, check that date of manufac-ture, serial number and batch details are visible on the label. Also check that you do not have a CIB-19 Plate Batch number ADF047 or any plates marked with NSN 8470-66-145-0240 or 0241. If you do, return these to your Q-store for replace-ment.
HELMETS: Visually inspect the helmet for any sign of cracks, splits or fractures which could indicate that the helmet has suffered a hard knock and may be subject to failure. At no stage repaint your helmet as the compounds within the paint may degrade the ballistic protection. Helmet covers are available in DPCU and DPDU.
Take care of body armour
How to inspect your ECBA
� Combat Body Armour (CBA) was introduced into service in May 1999. Enhanced Combat Body Armour (ECBA) was introducedin March 2005.
� The enhancement consists of neck, arm and groin protection and also ballistic plates that provide greater protection.
� ECBA comes in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra large and in weights of 7.2kg, 8.6kg, 9kg and 9.5kg.
� The plates are made of a ceramic material and come in a back and chest configuration weighing 1.74kg and 1.68kg respectively.
� About 6500 sets of ECBA have been issued by DMO to the ADF.
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have the ECBA replaced through the issuing point or Q-store.
“Visual inspections should occur daily when the equipment is used on a regular basis. Non-tech inspections should occur monthly and be recorded,” Lt-Col Walk said. “When inspecting the ECBA, personnel should inspect the plates and helmet for dents, chips, cracks and any embedded foreign mate-rial. They should gently shake the plates left to right, listening for sounds of any loose internal ceramic parts.”
If defects are detected, the equipment is to be returned to
the issuing point or Q-store for replacement.
Lt-Col Walk said Defence was continuing to develop new protec-tive technologies and considered the safety of personnel to be of paramount importance.
“ECBA which have been struck are returned to Australia for testing and analysis, in order to improve and enhance the equipment pro-vided to personnel,” he said. “Defence is working on the pro-gressive introduction of a Modular Combat Body Armour System, which will eventually replace ECBA and CBA from mid-2008.”
Well protected: Cpl Russell
Maywald, 39PSB, puts
on the full Enhanced
Combat Body Armour.
Photo by Bill Cunneen
On a plate: Cpl Maywald checks the ceramic plate from a vest to ensure it has no damage.
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Army February 7, 2008
NEWS 7
By Capt Haydn Barlow
ARMY and Navy pilots are one step closer to flying high in MRH90 heli-copters after the first two aircraft of the fleet entered service last December.
The multi-role helicopter, designed by European multinational NHI Industries, was bought to replace the Black Hawk and Sea King helicopters.
The first two of 46 helos purchased were accepted by the ADF at a ceremony in Brisbane on December 18.
Nearly 200 people from across the government, Defence and the aerospace industry attended the event.
Head of Helicopter Systems Division for Defence Maj-Gen Tony Fraser said the ceremony marked the completion of a lot of hard work to build the initial aircraft.
“We now go into a training and full certification program where we can develop the full capabilities, and this MRH90 has a whole lot more than what we have previously flown,” Maj-Gen Fraser said.
“The latest generation of this light-weight composite structure, digital fly-by-wire helicopter provides our crews with the best possible equipment so they can support our sailors, soldiers and air-men on operations.”
The MRH90 can carry up to 18 sol-diers; nearly double that of the Black Hawk.
It has been equipped with a forward looking infrared system and weather radar, as well as a digital cockpit and the same helmet mounted sight and dis-play as the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter. This technology will enable the pilots and crews to fly in almost all conditions by day or night.
Look atwhat’s flown in
Army and Navy will manage the air-craft and operate identical configurations, which will allow greater interoperability and flexibility in training.
Navy aircrew might be posted to Army units and vice versa.
Naval helicopter instructor Leut Paul Hannigan was one of the initial crew to be trained on the helicopter in France by co-designers Eurocopter.
“The opportunity for the Army and Navy to work together towards a joint capability is quite exciting, especially when it involves such a state-of-the-art aircraft as the MRH90,” Leut Hannigan said.
He looked forward to working with his Army counterparts and will now instruct pilots in initial transition training in Townsville.
The MRH90 has been slated to oper-ate with 5 Avn Regt in Townsville, AAvnTC in Oakey, 171 Avn Sqn in Holsworthy and the Navy’s 817 Sqn in Nowra. A period of test and evaluation, training and aircraft development will now be conducted leading to initial oper-ational capability for Navy in 2010 and Army in 2011.
Powerplants: 2 x Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM322-01/9.Normal cruise speed: 260 km/hMax cruise speed: 305km/hCrew: 4Armament: 2 x 7.62mm MAG58Seating capacity: Normally 10-14, max 18 soldiers.Max all up weight: 10,600kg
VITAL STATISTICS
Helo there: The first two MRH90s accepted into service in the ADF are pictured at Brisbane Airport (above). Greg Combet, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, was among those to attend the ceremony for the new helos. Here he meets MRH90 test pilot Maj Carolyn Breeden as Maj-Gen Tony Fraser looks on (left).Photos by Cpl Rodney Welch
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Army February 7, 2008
8 NEWSCaptain Lachlan Simond
BEER trickled through freshly dug soil as Carmel Gillespie emptied the can into her husband’s grave in Springvale cemetery.
After 37 years, John was home in Australian soil.
On April 17 1971, Army medi-cal assistant LCpl John Gillespie prepared to treat a wounded South Vietnamese soldier on board an 9Sqn RAAF Huey helicopter.
As the helicopter began to winch the injured allied soldier, it was shot down and LCpl Gillespie was killed.
Due to the intensity of the result-ing fire and the ongoing battle, his body was never recovered.
LCpl Gillespie would remain listed as killed in action, body not
recovered (commonly referred to as Missing In Action) for the next 35 years.
Peter Aylett, who served two tours in Vietnam, was a driving force in finding LCpl Gillespie.
“I should have been there that that day, but I got R and R and a mate of mine, Tom Blackhurst, vol-unteered to take my place on that run.” Mr Aylett said.
“Tom died that day acting as a forward observer; it was a place that I was never going back to.
“In 2003, I found out that the chopper A2-767 had never been recovered, and Gillespie was still MIA.
“I thought I knew where it was; I owed it to Blackie.”
Ve te rans f rom the g roup
Operation Aussie Home worked with the Army History Unit and the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to identify LCpl Gillespie’s resting place and prepare his remains for repatriation to Victoria.
OAH helped find 1RAR soldiers LCpl Richard Parker and Pte Peter Gillson, both killed in 1965.
Their remains were repatriated in June last year.
While searching for LCpl Parker and Pte Gillson, OAH founding member Jim Bourke was convinced the resting place of LCpl Gillespie had been found.
A team including the Army History Unit recovered the remains.
LCpl Gillepsie’s body was fare-welled from the Vietnamese capital
of Hanoi by family, veterans, digni-taries and the Minister for Veteran Affairs, Mr Alan Griffin.
An honour guard from 1CSSB, a unit that traces its origins back to LCpl Gillespie’s 8 Field Ambulance, stood vigil before the remains were carried into an RAAF Hercules for his journey from Vietnam home to Victoria.
Vietnam veterans joined fam-ily and current serving members to welcome the digger home as the Hercules touched down at Point Cook.
John Gillespie’s funeral was held at Glen Huntly, 15km from the cen-tre of Melbourne.
“In this day and age it is every sol-dier’s right to be buried in Australia,” Mr Aylett said.
Vietnamdiggerreturnshome
Not forgotten: A photo of LCpl Gillespie, whose helicopter was shot down in Vietnam in 1971, stands by his casket at Hanoi Airport. Photos by Cpl Neil Ruskin
Honour guard: Vietnam veterans during the ramp ceremony for their fallen mate.
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Army February 7, 2008
NEWS 9
DEFENCE Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has ushered in 2008 with a pledge to examine spending and deliver a white paper to arrest a “drift” in stra-tegic guidance.
He said while the Defence budget would grow over eight years, the ADF also had to tighten its belt.
“I suspect it’s going to take three per cent real growth and more to do what we want to do,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
The Defence Minister told Service Newspapers that while the new govern-ment remained committed to growth in funding, significant additional savings would have to be made.
“I’m expecting some really dif-ficult budgetary issues to emerge … Defence, with a $22 billion budget, has a very important role to play in ensur-ing that fiscal discipline is maintained.” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
“We promised pre-election that we’d have a review of the Defence budget to make sure tax payers were getting value for money.”
Although a pre-election promise was to honour all major Defence con-tracts, the Minister said his department would remain capability focused and financially disciplined.
“Any fiscally responsible govern-ment will take a second glance at all capability projects,” he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the govern-ment would deliver a Defence White Paper to overcome the gap between Australia’s strategic guidance and capability planning.
Govt’s Defence plans“We need to conduct a new assess-
ment of Australia’s future defence and security challenges,” the minister said.
“We need to get our strategy right and make sure our decisions about capability and resources are based on sound strategic guidance.”
Mr Fitzgibbon also identified recruiting and retention as a high pri-ority for the department and the big-gest challenge facing the ADF.
He said the Government was look-ing at ways to ensure they had “some-thing on the table” to entice Defence families to stay with the organisation.
“We are determined to ensure that Defence is more family friendly for those in uniform and hopefully make life a little easier for them,” he said.
Late last year, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Mr Fitzgibbon vis-ited soldiers in the MEAO, including those from the final Overwatch Battle Group.
“Even though we’re bringing the Battle Group home, the new govern-ment remains committed to a long-term democratic future for Iraq and the Iraqi people,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
He also said he pushed for a new way ahead with the Afghanistan cam-paign when he met with military part-ners in Edinburgh.
M r F i t z g i b b o n d e s c r i b e d Afghanistan as a “key issue”.
“It was an early opportunity for me to indicate that we are committed to Afghanistan in the long term, but that we are somewhat disappointed with the lack of strategy and cohe-sion,” he said.
“Our troops are doing fantastic work on the infrastructure side and the Special Forces are doing wonderful work clearing areas of insurgents, only to have those areas filled in again after they depart.”
He said the 1000 Australian troops in the country was “very substantial” for a non- NATO, medium-sized coun-try.
“We will only commit more troops to Afghanistan if there is a clearer stra-tegic direction and unless NATO coun-tries are prepared to do more … we are winning battles, but not the war,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
The minister anticipated a high operational tempo for 2008.
“We will continue to be a good international citizen … making our contribution to maintaining the peace and countering terrorism,” he said.
Mr Fitzgibbon said the new gov-ernment took great pride in the work of Defence members and appreciated the sacrifices Defence families made.
“We understand the challenges they face particularly with the opera-tional tempo at such a high level and as a government we’re determined to ensure that Defence becomes more family friendly.”
He said a further short-term objec-tive was to work through “legacy” projects including the FFG upgrade, Sea Sprite helicopters and Wedgetail.
“We are already start ing to work through that process,” Mr Fitzgibbon said.
Greetings: Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon meets members of OBG (W) 4 in the MEAO. Photo by Sgt John Carroll
White paper, funding, Afghanistan high on agenda
Ringside seat: Cpl Kevin Dellaway, load master 5 Avn Regt, looks at flood damage in the Clermont area. He is in one of two Black Hawk helicopters assisting with relief efforts following flooding in Emerald, QLD. The two helicopters delivered emergency fodder to cattle stranded by floodwaters as part of the coordinated relief efforts by Emergency Management Queensland. Photo by AB Paul Berry
Black Hawks relieve Emerald
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10 NEWSArmy February 7, 2008
By Hugh McKenzie
CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy took the plunge 1200ft to honour an instructor at the Parachute Training School.
Lt-Gen Leahy, RSM-A WO Kevin Woods and Capt David McCammon tan-dem jumped into PTS bearing a Chief of Army Commendation for WO2 Kevin Proctor last November.
“I want to thank WO2 Proctor for his commitment to parachuting and the Army over the past 37 years, in particu-lar his work in developing parachuting doctrine and conducting numerous para-chuting trials,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.
“It’s soldiers like WO2 Proctor that showcases the dedication, commitment and professionalism of all soldiers within the Australian Army.”
WO2 Proctor has made 2964 descents during his parachuting career.
“I began with the basic course in 1976 and I’ve been jumping ever since,” WO2 Proctor said.
He said it was so long since he’d joined the Army he’d forgotten what prompted him to do it.
“I couldn’t pinpoint one highlight in my career,” WO Proctor said.
“There have been so many wonderful things that have happened; one thing was the initial development of the high alti-tude parachuting.
“Working in that area doing the plan-ning and so forth, was great.”
CO PTS Lt-Col Jim Ryan said it was a special day for the school.
“The presentat ion of the CA Commendation for WO2 Proctor pro-vided a great opportunity for the Chief to see the soldiers and officers of PTS in action as well as to experience parachut-ing first-hand,” he said.
Chief takesthe plunge
Airborne: Chief of Army Lt-Gen Peter Leahy takes to the skies over the Parachute Training School, Nowra, in a tandem jump with Maj Warwick Jones. Photo by Cpl Rob.
Tandem: RSM-A WO Kevin Woods takes a walk in the clouds with WO2 Ralf Jaeger from PTS. Photo by Pte Daniel Cocker
Sky high: WO2 Kevin Proctor recieved a CA commendation for his dedication to Army parachuting. Photo by Pte Max Motzo
Army February 7, 2008
WORLD NEWS 11
Top brass visit MEAO troopsBy Capt Christopher Linden
CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy paid a surprise visit to the MEAO in January to praise the courage and efforts of Iraq and Afghanistan- based Diggers.
During his two-day stop in southern Iraq, the CA promoted several soldiers and officers of OBG (W) 4 during a walking tour of Camp Terrendak.
He said the battle group’s mission “largely hasn’t changed”.
“It remains to make sure the Iraqi people, partic-ularly their Army, can be in a position to look after their own security,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.
“It’s all about the focus of getting the Iraqis at a stage where they can look after themselves.”
He also praised the Diggers’ “human touch”.“This is about people,” he said.“Working with people – protecting them, sup-
porting them, persuading them and getting them to a point where they can look after themselves.”
During a flying visit to the Reconstruction Task Force in Southern Afghanistan, Lt-Gen Leahy com-mended efforts to open the Chora Valley.
“Not so long ago that area was considered too dangerous to operate in, but the advances that you have made there and the way the local people have responded to your efforts is really remarkable,” he said.
“The ability of the Australian soldier to protect, show respect and persuade is a real source of pride.”
Lt-Gen Leahy also sought feedback from the troops.
“They asked the hard questions,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.
“I’d be disappointed if they didn’t.”
By Capt Cameron Jamieson
AUSTRALIAN soldiers serving in the heart of Baghdad and in the cold of southern Afghanistan received a mail-bags-full of cheer from Australian school kids last December.
Year 5 students from Inverell, NSW, sent a letter to each man and woman assigned to SecDet XII in Baghdad’s Green Zone.
SecDet XII OC Maj Mark Neich said the Diggers were grateful for the children’s letters from Ross Hill Primary School, 300km west of Coffs Harbour.
“It’s great to see kids supporting sol-diers who are deployed overseas,” Maj Neich said.
“There were 110 letters, one for every soldier in the combat team, and they’ve all written back.
“It was a real boost to our morale to know there are kids back home that are aware of our presence in Iraq.”
SecDet soldier Pte Craig Flemming said it meant a lot that children would take an interest in him and his fellow soldiers.
“When I opened the letter I noticed
how much time and effort had been put into it,” Pte Flemming said.
“The boy who wrote my letter asked a lot of questions, and I wrote two pages back, answering every question.”
Later that month West Australian stu-dents sent some Christmas cheer to RTF-3 Diggers in Afghanistan.
Letters written by Year 10 students from Collie High School, 200km south of Perth, were displayed in the soldier’s recreation hut.
“To see kids write us letters, espe-cially at Christmas, really means a lot to us,” ASLAV crew commander LCpl Eric Atkinson, 24, said.
“They wrote that they understand our sacrifice, and how hard it is for us to leave our families, especially over the Christmas and New Years period.”
Cameron Shannon’s letter was typical of his classmates.
“I understand the risks you and your fellow soldiers take every day to protect each other and our country,” he wrote.
“People like you are the reason people like me feel safe, and I am extremely grate-ful for your courage and sacrifice.”
Meet and greet: Chief of Army Lt-Gen Peter Leahy and RSM-A WO Stephen Ward meet enjoy a joke with Trooper Robert Edmonds (left) and Tpr Timothy Hodson (right) during their visit to Australian soldiers at Tallil, Iraq in January. Photo by Capt Christopher Linden
Aussie school kids send letters to diggers in Iraq
Word from home: Pte Craig Flemming reads a letter from a Ross Hill PrimarySchool Year 5 student. Photo by Capt Cameron Jamieson
Capt Stuart Wood
“DEAR soldiers, yours has not been an easy task and I praise the professionalism, spirit, disci-pline and technical skill demon-strated by you here during your time in Timor-Leste.”
Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao paid tribute to an assembly of close to two hun-dred soldiers, sailors and airmen at Dili’s heliport in January.
He praised the bonds between the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) and the East Timorese people.
“You have come here to play a critical role in a young and still fragile country,” Mr Gusmao said.
“Your families, and indeed all Australians and New Zealanders, should be proud of you.”
The Timor-Les t e P r ime Minister also thanked representa-tives of some of the ISF’s busiest
infrastructure, commonly known as the H-POD.
The H-POD houses the ASPEN medical facility, helicopter support from the Royal New Zealand Air Force and private contractors, and combat service support elements.
In one of his final engagements as commander of the ISF, Brig John Hutcheson said ISF would continue its vital work for as long as the Timor-Leste Government deemed necessary.
Tribute: Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanano Gusmao addresses International Stabilisation Force troops in Dili. Photo by Cpl Rachel Ingram
Timor Leste Prime Minister praises ISF
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Army February 7, 2008
WORLD NEWS 13
By Capt Cameron Jamieson
LIKE pieces in a puzzle, each aspect of an incident scene must be carefully con-sidered. Evidence must be found, the law enforced, and tragic incidents understood.
The mystery solvers in the ADF are the men and women of the new tri-service Australian Defence Force Investigative Service.
This 140-strong, highly trained unit is capable of investigating Service offences and incidents.
Baghdad-based Capt Chris Woodhouse is the officer-in-charge of the ADFIS inves-tigators assigned to Operations Catalyst and Slipper.
He is assisted by investigators in Tallil in Southern Iraq and Tarin Kowt in Afghanistan.
Extra staff can be brought forward from Australia to assist ADFIS with any major event.
Capt Woodhouse said although it had been a demanding posting, he felt fortunate to have a job that was an integral part of an overseas operation.
“It’s been very busy, but the deployment has been the highlight of my career,” he said.
“Deployed investigators are responsible for all investigations into alleged offences as well as other serious incidents involving the ADF,” he said.
When deployed overseas, ADF per-sonnel are subject to many aspects of Australian domestic law, including the Defence Force Discipline Act.
Recent reforms to the military justice system led to the new investigator unit, and created a new military court which can sit in Australia and overseas.
The DFDA provides a stand alone dis-ciplinary code in countries where the local civilian jurisdiction either does not apply or does not exist.
If an ADF member commits an offence against a local person in Iraq or Afghanistan, status of forces arrangements exist that allow Australian personnel to be dealt with under Australian law.
“Handling incidents in a combat zone, with all the security and geographic con-siderations that this implies adds a new dimension to investigative work,” Capt Woodhouse said.
“It requires us to use all our specialist skills, and that has been great … I would recommend this job to anyone with an inter-est in police work.”
Capt Woodhouse said the new investiga-tive unit had made a major impact on ADF investigations.
“It brings the best parts of each service together and it’s been really good for all our investigators as we have a lot more opportu-nities,” he said.
“For example, we’ve had a Navy inves-tigator at Tarin Kowt and a RAAF Sergeant at Tallil.
“I’ve visited a RAN warship in the Persian Gulf and worked with the RAAF, so we’ve all had a chance to learn what the other Services do.”
Capt Woodhouse, who is about to return to Australia, said he looked forward to con-tinuing in his chosen profession.
“I find my work exciting because I get to see a case from start to finish, and have a real-time job both here and in Australia,” he said. “There’s policing, surveillance and drug searches. It’s a real hands-on job, even in barracks, and not many Corps get to do that.”
By Capt Christopher Linden
SOLDIERS on operations in Southern Iraq have remembered the first Australian troops killed in action overseas with the dedication of a memorial stone cairn on New Year’s Day.
The memorial replicated a cairn built in South Africa for two Queensland soldiers killed during the Boer War of 1899-1902.
On January 1, 1900, Privates David McLeod and Victor Jones from the Queensland Mounted Infantry were killed at the ‘Battle of Sunnyside’.
These two men are believed to be the first soldiers from an Australian colonial army unit killed in combat on an over-seas operation.
More than 400 Australian and coali-tion personnel attended the dedication of the cairn at Tallil Air Base, which was performed by Army Chaplain Fred Davis.
A small group of soldiers from the OBG (W) 4, lead by Sgt Peter Rewko, hand built the stone cairn following the group’s arrival in early December 2007.
Many of the soldiers serving with the battle group in Iraq are from the 2/14 LHR (QMI), based at Enoggera Barracks in Brisbane.
This unit is directly traced from the original QMI that served with distinc-tion in the Boer War and later in the Great War.
Remember the Sunnyside
“The rock cairn was built to remember fallen Australian soldiers, including those from Queensland Mounted Infantry, and to provide a focal point for Anzac day services,” RSM OBG (W) 4 WO1 Bradley Clarke, said.
During the dedication ceremony the battle group CO Lt-Col Chris Websdane asked those to remem-ber the sacrifice of Australian serv-icemen and women – both past and present.
“This [memorial] goes beyond the QMI. Today we not only
remember the commitment and sacrifice of our forebears, but also Australian soldiers serving on cur-rent operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan,” Lt-Col Websdane said.
The modern descendants of the QMI and soldiers from other Australian units including 6RAR and 7CSSB, along with the Australian Army Training Team – Iraq, are currently undertaking security and training operations in the provinces of Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar in Southern Iraq.
Rest on arms: Tpr James Head during the Battle of Sunnyside memorial service in Iraq dedicated to all fallen Australian soldiers.
Putting the piecestogether on ops
Lest we forget: Chaplain Capt Frederick Davis pours olive oil onto the Sunnyside memorial cairn during the dedication service at Camp Terendak, Iraq. Photos by Cpl Rob Nyffenegger
Uplifting: WO2 Lee Roberts, ADF Investigative Service MEAO, lifts fingerprints off a door handle whilst at Camp Holland in Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. Photo by Cpl Hamish Paterson
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14 AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURSArmy February 7, 2008
For a job well doneOn Australia Day, 41 of Army’s best joined the Honours’ List in recognition for their services to Australia. Army joins the nation in congratulating all recipients.
OFFICER (AO) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIAMaj-Gen Michael Simon HINDMARSH For distinguished service to the ADF in senior command and staff appointments.
Maj-Gen Mark Andrew KELLY For distinguished serv-ice to the Australian Army in the fields of training, personnel and operations, in particu-lar as the Commander of the 1st Division and as the Land Commander Australia.
MEMBER (AM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIACol David Peter COGHLANFor exceptional performance of duties as the Deputy Commander, Joint Task Force 633 in Afghanistan and Chief Plans Officer at Headquarters Joint Operations Command.
Col Mark Graham FRENDINFor exceptional serv-ice as Commanding Officer of The Pilbara Regiment and in senior staff appointments at Land Headquarters and Headquarters Joint Task Force 633.
Lt-Col Michael Barry RYANFor exceptional performance of duties as Commanding Officer of the 1st Reconstruction
Task Force deployed to Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan as part of Operation Slipper
Col Simone Louise WILKIEFor exceptional performance of duty in command appointments within Training Command - Army.
MEDAL (OAM) IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA WO1 Robert Charles DAVISONFor meritorious service to the Australian Army in the field of Supply Chain Management.WO2 Roderick Edwin MASONFor meritorious service as the ADFA Band Sergeant Major and as a member of the Australian Army Band Corps.
WO1 Graham Athol TURNERFor meritorious service as the Artificer Sergeant Major of the 162nd Reconnaissance Squadron and as the Artificer Sergeant Major of the 171st Aviation Squadron.
MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY (MG)Maj Daniel Sebastian CASHFor acts of gallantry in action in hazardous circumstances during operations against Taliban and Anti Coalition Militia while deployed on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan, from June to October 2006.
Cpl Jeremy Thomas HOLDERFor an act of gallantry in action in hazardous cir-
cumstances as a Medical Assistant within the Special Operations Task Group – Task Force 637, while deployed on Operation Slipper Rotation 3 Afghanistan, from May to September 2006.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)Brig Michael Peter CRANE For distinguished service in com-mand and leader-ship in the Middle East Area of Operations as the Commander Joint Task Force 633 for Operations Catalyst and Slipper.
Lt-Col Michael MAHYFor distinguished command and leadership in action as Commanding Officer of Al Muthanna Task Group Three and Operational Overwatch Battle Group West.
Lt-Col Anthony John RAWLINSFor distinguished command and leader-ship of Overwatch Battle Group West – Two in Al Muthanna and Dhi Qar Provinces, Iraq, during Operation Catalyst.
Col Mark Andrew SMETHURST For distinguished command and lead-ership as Commander of the Special Operations Task Group during Operation Slipper Rotation 3.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL (DSM)Cpl Benjamin James DALYFor distinguished leadership in action as an infantry section commander dur-ing Operation Catalyst in Iraq.
Cpl Bradley Ronald WATTSFor distinguished leadership in action as a Medical Assistant with the Special Operations Task Group – Task Force 637, while deployed on Operation Slipper Rotation 3 Afghanistan, from May to September 2006.
Cpl Wesley Dean WOODFor distinguished leadership in action as an infantry section commander during Operation Catalyst in Iraq.
COMMENDATION FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICECol Ashley Warren GUNDERFor distinguished performance of duties
as the Australian National Representative in Iraq and Principal Staff Officer within the United Kingdom’s Multi National Division South East.
Capt Nicholas Peter ROSEFor distinguished performance of duties as the Intelligence Officer of the Special Operations Task Group – Task Force 637, while deployed on Operation Slipper Rotation 3 Afghanistan, from May to September 2006.
Col Richard Hugh STANHOPE For distinguished performance of duties as the inaugural Deputy Commander of Joint Task Force 633 on Operation Slipper in Afghanistan in 2006.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE CROSS (CSC)Col Brett Lawrence BILLETTFor outstanding achievement as the inaugural Director of Occupational Health and Safety - Army.
Maj Kevin John CUTHBERTSONFor outstanding achievement in the field of explosive ordnance safety.
Lt-Col Dean Gregory FRANKLINFor outstanding achievement as Commanding Officer of the School of Infantry and Senior Army Representative – Singleton.
Maj David Charles HAFNERFor outstanding achievement as the Officer Commanding B Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment and Combat Team Vigilance.
Maj George WitoldKOSCIUSZKOFor outstanding achievement as the Operations Officer of the Defence National Storage and Distribution Centre, particu-larly in the provision of logistic support to operations.
Maj Wayne Leslie REEDFor outstanding achievement as Acting Officer Commanding, Joint Movements Control Office Townsville and Officer Commanding, Joint Movements Control Office Darwin.
Major David Michael SIENKIEWICZFor outstanding achievement as the
Executive Officer of the 6th Engineer Support Regiment and as the Operations Officer on Operation Sumatra Assist.
WO Kevin James WOODS For outstanding achievement as RSM-A.
CONSPICUOUS SERVICE MEDAL (CSM)WO2 Jeremy Paul ARCHERFor meritorious achievement as the Company Sergeant Major of 1 Company, 1st Intelligence Battalion.
WO2 Clayton Charles BAKERFor devotion to duty as the Warrant Officer Physical Training Instructor at the School of Infantry.
Maj Scott RobertBROCKHURSTFor devotion to duty as the Staff Officer Grade Two Aviation Capability at Headquarters 16th Brigade (Aviation).
WO1 Laurence James CASEFor meritorious achievement to the Australian Army Band Corps.
WO2 Shane GREENFor meritorious achievement as the Unit Recruiting Liaison Officer and Squadron Sergeant Major in the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers.
WO2 Andrew James HAMILTONFor devotion to duty as the Special Air Service Regiment Selection Warrant Officer at the Special Forces Training Centre.
Lt-Col Scott Philip HARRISFor meritorious achievement in the acquisition of helicopter systems for the Australian Army.
WO1 Graeme Rodney JONESFor devotion to duty as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant at the Incident Response Regiment.
WO1 Kathleen Leah McINTYREFor meritorious achievement as Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant of the 15th Trans-port Squadron.
WO2 Richard Thomas TASSELLFor meritorious achievement as Wharf Master at the 10th Force Support Battalion.
WO2 Amir Markus TITOFor meritorious achievement as the Artificer Sergeant Major of the 2nd Battal-ion, The Royal Australian Regiment.
Lt-Col Robert Jason WORSWICKFor devotion to duty as Staff Officer Grade One Concepts at Headquarters Training Command - Army.
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16 CENTREPIECE 17Army February 7, 2008
RECRUIT instructors train platoons of recruits at Kapooka – but who trains the trainers? All corporals and sergeants posted to Kapooka as instructors have attended the
Recruit Instructor Course at the ARTC, Kapooka, where they learn how to work with newcomers to the military.
“Turning civilians into soldiers is a very differ-ent task to training fully qualified soldiers,” ARTC Commandant Col Bill Hanlon said.
“The course gets instructors into the right mindset to work with people who have just come off the street.”
The RIC is run seven times a year within 1RTB.“Training the corporals and sergeants is very impor-
tant because of the unique nature of the duties the recruit instructor undertakes,” Col Hanlon said.
Training staff work closely with the Psych Support Section at Kapooka to regularly revise counselling tech-niques.
“Methods of instruction and counselling have to be modified regularly to suit changes in recruiting,” instructor Sgt Paul Sidwell said.
The recruit instructors in training rehearse methods of instruction on weapons, drill and field craft on their peers, before giving the same lessons to recruits.
“This builds confidence in the instructors’ knowl-edge and confidence in speaking to an audience,” Sgt Sidwell said.
Mentors guide and give feedback to new RIs, and maintain quality control when the instructors lead their own platoon.
“The standards of training are so high that when the instructor’s leave Kapooka, they leave with a range of skills and knowledge which will make them much bet-ter NCOs,” Sgt Sidwell said.
Developing the Hardened and Networked Army will require an increase in the number of recruits trained at ARTC.
To prepare for the expected influx, 1RTB’s Training and Assessment Section is also training temporary duty instructors and field instructors.
The temporary duty instructor course is designed to give corporals from Land Command Units the tools to
INSTRUCTIVE JOBINSTRUCTIVE JOB
instruct recruits for temporary periods when the need arises.
“The course gives you a refresher in weapons, drill and field craft but more importantly gives you the rel-evant skills at the detachment phase,” student instructor Bdr Troy Salter said.
Field instructors teach field craft to both Reserve and ARA soldiers.
“This frees the RIs to prepare for the next group of recruits and to regroup,” Sgt Sidwell said.
The training initiatives provide first-class recruit training within a competency-based assessment regime.
“The RIs at Kapooka have a direct impact on the future of Army capability. This is a very rewarding post-ing and professional experience,” Col Hanlon said.
Recruit instructors are well qualified to train new soldiers, Lt Kris Gardiner and Capt Chris Linden report. Photos by Cpl Rachel Ingram.
� Up to seven Recruit Instructor Courses are held each year.� Recruit Instructors’ Course is 24 days long.� Temporary Duty Instructors’ Course is 22 days long, in two
modules.� Marksmanship Instruction Course is five days.� Average course involves 30 corporals, sergeants and lieutenants.� Regular Army recruit course goes for 12 weeks.� Reserve recruit course lasts four weeks.� 1RTB has more than 20 platoons in training.� Temporary duty instructors are brought into Kapooka as needed.� Corporal and sergeant RIs can earn up to $30,000 extra for a
two-year posting, if eligibility criteria are met.
TRAINING ROLE
Making a point: ARTC instructor Cpl Ryan Gibbs moves his section forward during a training section attack at the culmination of a recruit training course.
Charging ahead: Recruits from 32 Pl, D Coy, are put through their paces at Kapooka’s bayonet assault course by first leaping into the bear pit.
Bush walk: A shaft of sunlight falls upon members of 1 Pl, A Coy, as they undertake a 5km endurance march.Pushed: PTI Cpl Jason Brand gets recruits to do push-ups. Steady: An instructor supervises a new soldier’s first shoot. Organiser: Instructor Cpl Daniel Robertson during a section training attack.
Seeing red: A recruit on the bayonet assault course.
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professionals, policy material and links to publications and other sites of interest.
ADF ATODS: The Defence Health Services response to AOD issues.
18 TRAININGArmy February 7, 2008
NINE Special Forces soldiers have tested their limits – at 6500m.
The soldiers from SASR, 4RAR (Cdo), 1 Cdo Regt, SOHQ and the Special Operations Logistics Squadron were joined by 19 Indian Army climb-ers – five of whom had climbed major Himalayan peaks – for Exercise Himalayan Bridge last October.
The mixed expedition climbed the 6543m Shivling Peak, a difficult moun-tain in the Indian Himalayas.
“It was interesting to hear one experi-enced SASR trooper say that mountaineer-ing is as close to combat as it gets,” expe-dition leader Lt-Col Matt Rogerson said.
The climb followed two weeks of training at the Indian Army’s elite High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), locat-ed 3500m above sea level at Sonamarg in Kashmir.
“The joint expedition enabled both teams to exchange a lot of training, tac-tics and procedures … and learn a lot about each others armies and cultures,” Lt-Col Rogerson said.
The Australians made firm friends among the 200 Indian trainees at HAWS, where they did mountain physical con-ditioning training, technical rock and ice skills development, river crossing and survival training.
“We even managed the compulsory cricket match at base camp, although fur-ther matches were snowed out,” Lt-Col Rogerson said.
He said SOCOMD could learn a lot from the Indians, who were keen to share their knowledge.
“The expedition was a great opportu-nity to cement the growing ties between the Indian and Australian Army, as well as sharpen our own skills and experi-ence,” he said.
The Army Alpine Association, which
Taking it to the top
helped generate the exercise, had worked with Indian climbers in 1991 and 1995.
After storm-related delays on the mountain, five Indians and four Australians began two days of difficult climbing through deep snow to their top camp. Lt-Col Rogerson, an SASR trooper P and the five Indians made the summit.
“It was pretty exciting to finally sum-mit after the whole team had worked hard to establish tents and fix the route,” one climber said. “The final climb was surprisingly steep and I was pretty happy to get back to our top camp after about 13 hours of hard work.”
Special Operations Commander Maj-Gen Mike Hindmarsh said that putting the “high profile international engage-ment activity together at the same time as operations in Afghanistan and APEC showed the virtuosity of SOCOMD”.
The Indian Army has had a wealth of combat experience at altitudes up to 6000m, including its border conflict with Pakistan and counter-insurgency opera-tions in Kashmir.
The Australian interest in high alti-tude warfare gathered impetus with SOCOMD’s operational commitments to Afghanistan.
� The climbers make a three-day approach up the Gangotri glacier to Base Camp.
� Camps are placed at 5000m, 5500m and 5900m.
� Two mixed summit teams form from Australian and Indian climbers.
� The teams move through each camp and bid for the summit on the first day of good weather, negotiating a long technical rock section, an 80m wall of ice at 6100m, and a 250m steep ice slope immediately below the summit.
HEIGHT OF SUCCESS
Flying the flag: Lt-Col Matt Rogerson and an SASR trooper display the SOCOMD pennant at Shivling Peak’s summit after nine hours of climbing.
Peak effort: Members of the mountaineering expedition make a descent from Camp Two in difficult conditions.
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Army February 7, 2008
HISTORY 19
WHEN one thinks of late January, beaches and barbeques come to mind. But 40 years ago the Tet Offensive of 1968 reached beyond lazy summer days and planted Vietnam into the world’s conscience.
The fighting claimed the lives of 11 Australian soldiers while their country soaked up the holidays and celebrated its national day half a world away.
As Americans and their South Vietnamese allies struggled in Saigon, Hue and Khe Sanh, Australian soldiers fought in the province of Bien Hoa dur-ing Operation Coburg and in Phouc Tuy province.
Commander of the Australian Task Force Brig Ronald Hughes was tasked by US Lt-Gen Frederick Weyland to protect the airbase at Bien Hoa and the Long Bingh logistical area from Viet Cong rocket attack.
It was the first time the ATF had deployed outside Phouc Tuy Province. 3RAR would be left behind to protect the 1ATF base at Nui Dat.
By January 24, 2RAR, 7RAR, and elements of 3 Cav Regt, 4 Fd Regt, 1 Fd Regt and 161 (Indep) Recce Flt had deployed to their area of operations.
Both 2RAR and 7RAR began to aggressively patrol their area of opera-tions.
While barbeques smoked back home, B Coy 2RAR fought its way through a VC camp. In the face of stiff resistance acting Cpl Graham Norley was killed.
The following day C Coy 2RAR located another camp. As they searched the area Pte Walter Davison, attached to the battalion from 8 Fd Amb, was hit by machine gun fire as he tried to aid a wounded comrade. He died in a US hos-pital in Long Bien.
40 years ago: Tet OffensiveIn 1968, celebrations of Australia Day and the Tet Buddhist festival were shattered by the Communists’ attempt to end the war in one massive blow. The Australian Task Force lost 11 soldiers during the fighting.
After 9 February both battalions were ordered to move back to the south of the area of operations, around two fire sup-port bases codenamed “Harrison” and “Andersen”.
From here, 7RAR was relieved by 3RAR on 11 February and 2RAR was returned to Nui Dat two days later.
On February 1 1968 the VC D445 Battalion attacked the provincial capital of Ba Ria.
In a bitter struggle, the ATF ready reaction force and South Vietnamese Rangers retook the city in a day.
Jan 26 Pte Raymond Binning, 2RAR
Jan 26 Pte Dayle Morrison, 2RAR
Jan 26 LCpl Graham Norley, 2RAR
Jan 26 Pte Walter Davison, 8 Fd Amb
Jan 27 Pte Paul Trzecinski, 7RAR
Jan 27 Pte Alec Bell, 7RAR
Feb 1 Pte Antonio Parello, AATTV
Feb 2 LCpl Ross McMillan, 7RAR
Feb 2 Pte Robert Perrin, 7RAR
Feb 4 Pte Robert Caston, 3RAR
Feb 5 Pte Marvin Ayres, 7RAR
Australian Army Honour Roll January 26 - February 7 1968
Remembered: Australian soldiers, immortalised at the Australian Army memorial, fought on Australia Day during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Photo by Cpl Corinne Boer
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20 LETTERSArmy February 7, 2008
I WOULD like to make a simple suggestion for the future awarding of campaign medals.
A clasp system for campaign medals should be introduced to clarify some grey areas in regards to campaign service.
For instance, a member force-assigned to the FLLA will be issued either an Iraq or Afghanistan (or both, in some cases) campaign medal for his or her tour of duty.
Although not a big deal in the scheme of things, that member will be wearing some of the same dec-orations as, for instance, a mem-ber of SOTG doing the hard yards against the Taliban on the ground in Afghanistan – hardly a suit-able arrangement, considering both members’ day-to-day activities and
job descriptions. This is not their fault and they should not have to deal with the ill-feeling from other ADF members because of it.
However, confusion over a member’s service could easily be clarified with the addition of a clasp denoting a member’s particular mis-sion, task group or organisation e.g. Secdet, SOTG, RTF, AMTG, OBG (W), AATTI, JTF 633, FLLA.
The addition of clasps for each deployment or mission would also show if a member had deployed to the same country in the MEAO on multiple occasions but on different missions, which is something that at present the member gets no rec-ognition for.
There are members within my own combat team backing up for
their third and fourth tour to Iraq – all missions have been different and they have gone unrecognised since the original issue of their Iraq 2003 AASM or clasp and their Iraq campaign medal.
This clear recognition of a mem-ber’s actual mission or task would greatly reduce some of the animos-ity that is present in the ADF when it comes to who did what and where in particular campaigns.
I mean no offence to any mem-bers of organisations mentioned as examples in this letter – but I do think that this should be looked at seriously so that members get the recognition they have earned the right to wear.Sgt Kent SparkeCT Waler, OBG (W) 4Iraq
ON behalf of the family of the late Sgt Matthew Locke MG, I would like to thank everybody for the love and support shown to us all in the tragic loss of our much-loved Matt.Rowan LockeEx-6RAREverton Park, Queensland
AFTER some discussion at work, I would like to know what the Gap Year Program aims to achieve?
Looking at the average time it takes a member to get from Kapooka to their unit there doesn’t seem to be much time left to employ people if they only have a 12-month ROSO.
Twelve weeks at Kapooka and a few weeks at holding platoon, another eight or so at IETs depending on the
course and then off to a unit for anoth-er four to six months and then they can get out.
I don’t see this helping keep peo-ple in or really helping the retention problem – seems more like a revolving door type of thing.
Is this trying to get people inter-ested and then ask them to sign on for a further three years once they have completed 12 months?
It just seems to be a waste to
employ members for such a short period when we should be focusing on keeping in members with experience.LCpl Luke Threlfall 6RARGallipoli Barracks
Lt-Col Martin McKone, SO1 Personnel Policy, responds:AS THE former Defence Minister announced on August 9, 2007, the aim of the Gap Year Program is to incite
young people who would not normally commit to the ADF’s lengthy initial periods of service, to join the ADF for a year and experience the same train-ing and experiences as any other first year recruit.
The intent is to expose Gap Year participants to military training, and foster in a percentage of them, the desire to continue to stay in the military in either the ARA or Reserve components.
This initiative is an alternative to the traditional method of entry and goes hand-in-hand with other recruit-ing, retention and remuneration ini-tiatives that have been approved by Government with the aim of growing Defence capability.
The number of Gap Year partici-pants that ultimately pursue lengthy service may depend largely on the positive reception they experience at their unit.
Full year for gap program participants
Idea for medal clasp system
Thanks for support
■ PREFERENCE is given to letters under 250 words. Letters may be edited for space and for grammar.■ LETTERS must include the author’s name, unit, location and contact number.■ LETTERS might be rejected if they are too long, abusive or can be answered by the author’s unit.■ EMAIL letters to [email protected]
HAVE YOUR SAY
Recognition: A reader suggests a clasp system be introduced to identify a member’s mission, task group or organisation. Photo by Cpl Rob Nyffenegger
Much-loved: The late Sgt Matthew Locke, SASR.
THE ADF prides itself on the compre-hensive scheme that provides a range of treatment, rehabilitation and compensa-tion options should members suffer physi-cal or mental injuries or contract an illness as a result of their military service, accord-ing to Head Personnel Executive Maj-Gen Michael Slater.
Maj-Gen Slater said the scheme also provided substantial benefits for death as a result of service.
Some of the major provisions of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme (MRCS) are outlined here. More detailed information is available at www.mrcs.gov.au.
Compensation for deathIn the event of a service-related death,
a dependent partner can choose between a tax-free, lifetime pension or a tax-free lump sum actuarial equivalent of the life-time value of that pension. A further tax-free lump sum is payable in addition to the pension or pension equivalent lump sum.
Substantial benefits are also payable for dependent children, including a tax-free lump sum in addition to a weekly pen-sion payment. Dependent children may also receive education assistance.
A dependent partner is entitled to a DVA Repatriation Gold Card, which pro-vides the partner and dependent children with health care benefits the same as those provided to war widows.
For more information, go to www.dva.gov.au/factsheets/default.htm
RehabilitationThe MRCS focuses on providing treat-
ment and rehabilitation services to help members suffering a service-related injury or illness to make as full a recovery as possible and return to their normal military duties or, after discharge, civilian work if they are able. For current serving mem-bers, most rehabilitation services are deliv-ered through Defence.
Medical discharge is the last option. Wherever possible, personnel who no longer meet health standards for their trade or profession are offered retrain-ing for another employment category. For those who are medically unfit for service, every assistance is given for their transi-tion to civilian life.
Information is available at www.defence.gov.au/health/DRS/i-drs.htm and www.mrcs.gov.au
Incapacity and disabilityMembers who cannot continue ADF
service might be eligible for a range of benefits, including treatment, impairment compensation or incapacity payments and DVA white or gold card benefits, depend-ing on the nature of their illness or inca-pacity. Permanently-impaired members can choose between a tax-free lump sum, weekly pension or a combination. The amounts vary according to the degree of disability.
Other benefits may include voca-tional and social rehabilitation, home help, attendant care, alterations to residence and assistance with the purchase, modifi-cation or maintenance of a motor vehicle.
ADF hasgot you coveredYour guide to the main features of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Scheme.
Pension and incapacity benefits� First 45 weeks of incapacity: 100% of nor-
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Army February 7, 2008
PERSONNEL 21
PEOPLE recline on the gym mats, their limbs elevated on piles of pillows and strapped with bone-chilling ice packs.
They exchange good-natured banter – onlookers could mistak-enly think the road to recovery was easy.
2HSB’s injury and illness rehabilitation program has been helping ADF personnel recover over the past decade. Program co-founder Dr Michael Naughton says last year more than 200 sol-diers, sailors, airmen and women passed through their doors.
Today, 11 soldiers vie for a place on the mats. Under the watchful eye of a physiotherapist we flex and balance, stretch and lift. After a cardio session in the hospital’s hydrotherapy pool we all look forward to the next part of the program – a healthy morning tea of sandwiches and fruit.
Rehabilitation physical trainer and former WO2 PTI Pete Jenkins says a place in the program is offered to southeast Queensland members who may have difficul-ties with their injury recovery.
Mr Jenkins says the program provides rehabilitation for all types of injuries, both physical and mental. As the group supervisor, he is responsible for more than just compiling physical training plans as he offers encouragement, friendly conversation and, some-times, a sympathetic ear.
A typical day involves sessions of hydrotherapy or swimming, injury-specific training, an educa-tional class, resistance training and stress and pain management.
Mr Jenkins says it is impor-tant to provide a good level of
rehabilitation to ensure a soldier is recovered enough to complete a return-to-work program. The rehab program is the first link in that process.
By day four, it’s hard to haul yourself out of bed. Muscles ache from the gym sessions. Everyone finds it hard to push that bit fur-ther to do an extra set of sit-ups or increase weights. A mid-morn-ing session in the pool takes the impact off our bodies and refresh-es our minds.
Dr Naughton says 10 years ago nothing was in place to fully manage the recovery of personnel from injury.
“To ensure members’ health was fully managed after leaving the service, we needed to manage their illness or injury in-service,” Dr Naughton says.
“A recommendation of the Tanzer review into military reha-bilitation and compensation was that rehabilitation programs be put into place Defence-wide. 2HSB offers one of these programs.”
The ADF Rehabilitation Program was implemented across Australia in September 2006 and was based on many aspects of the existing 2HSB rehabilitation system.
WO1 Leanne Iseppi, LWC, is in the program after an ankle reconstruction. She was sceptical of the program before she started.
“I thought it would be a waste of time,” she says, “but the pro-gram is a holistic approach to recovery. We get fitness, dietary lessons as well as relaxation. Pete is building us up to a higher fitness standard.”
Mr Jenkins says it is important commanders know the program is
available to members recovering from injury or surgery.
Sgt Stephen Woodhouse, 7CSSB, says some people have a perception that the program is an easy ride – “ but it’s not the case”.
“Since Pete got hold of me after my knee surgery I’ve lost a lot of weight and gained upper body strength,” he says. “This pro-gram has physically prepared me to return to work.”
Pte Kerry Redford, JHSA, says there’s always someone to laugh with you about your injury. “Everyone knows where you’re coming from with pain and recov-ery. We joke with each other, which helps with the healing.”
Mr Jenkins says some people need a week or two in the pro-gram, others stay for months.
One of his success stories is an Air Force member who arrived in a wheelchair after a car accident. At the end of his rehab program he was able to walk, and return to work – still employed by the ADF.
Dr Naughton says the program helps people return to their pre-injury jobs, move to other jobs in the ADF, or train for civilian employment.
Each member is allocated a contracted rehabilitation pro-gram case manager. They act as a conduit between the health prac-titioners, the member and their commander to ensure restrictions are met.
Dr Naughton is clearly proud of what his team has achieved in helping young men and women of the ADF recover and return to work. And from experience, the personnel who leave the program are much better physically pre-pared to return to work.
Helping hand on path to recovery
Superannuation benefitsSuperannuation benefits may also be
payable in the event of an ADF member’s death. These benefits may be paid to eligible recipients or the member’s estate, depending on marital or partnership sta-tus, and entitled dependents.
In addition to statutory compensation, a member discharged on medical grounds may be entitled to superannuation invalid-ity benefits depending upon the degree of incapacity and ability to undertake other employment.
Superannuation benefits vary according to which military superan-nuation scheme applies. For the Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme, visit www.militarysuper.gov.au. For the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme, visit www.dfrdb.gov.au.
InsuranceThe MRCS and military superannua-
tion schemes offer a comprehensive range of benefits and substantial payments so ADF members and their dependents can maintain an appropriate standard of liv-ing. Nevertheless, ADF members have differing personal circumstances, financial needs and commitments.
Members who have significant finan-cial commitments such as a mortgage or consumer finance, might consider private insurance to supplement military compen-sation or to pay out their debts in the event of death or disability. Members should obtain independent professional advice from a licensed adviser.
For general information, visit the ADF Consumer Council website www.adfcon-sumer.gov.au and click ‘Getting Advice’. Defgram 189/2007 also has information about the Services Security Plan injury and accident insurance.
Because family and financial circum-stances can vary widely, members should also consult DVA and ComSuper for more definitive advice on whether their personal situation warrants private insurance.
BENEFITS IN BRIEF
Capt Simone Heyer is treated to an insight into the rehabilitation program at 2HSB.
Weight out: Sgt Stephen Woodhouse and Pte Kerry Redford workout in a strength training session as part of the 2HSB rehab program. Photo by WO2 Graham McBean
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Army February 7, 2008
22 PERSONNEL
THE Defence Force Remune-ration Tribunal has approved a Special Forces Disability Allowance (SFDA) to recognise the special nature of work per-formed in or in direct support of SOCOMD.
This follows an ADF review of the Special Action Forces A l lowance and Spec i a l i s t Operations Allowance. The review focused on how these allowances were applied to members serving in SOCOMD.
On November 30, the Tribunal agreed with Army’s proposal to create the SFDA. Special Operations Commander Maj-Gen Michael Hindmarsh welcomed the decision, saying “SFDA provides an holistic, equitable and consist-ent regime for the payment of dis-ability within SOCOMD”.
SFDA is a six-tiered structure that replaces the Special Action
New allowancefor special role
Forces Allowance and those parts of Specialist Operations Allowance related to Commandos and the IRR.
SFDA particularly recognises the additional demands and haz-ards associated with the evolu-tion of the Commando and IRR capabilities since 2002, and the
role played by the Special Forces Training Centre in training SF reinforcements.
A daily rate of the allowance has also been extended to SF reservists serving in SOCOMD units, including 1 Cdo Regt.
The new allowance took effect on December 13, 2007.
1 Qualified SAS member in SASR $31,352 $85.902 Qualified Cdo in 4RAR (Cdo), including TAG(E) Qualified Cdo in 1 Cdo Regt (online support)
$25,082 $68.72
3 SFTC Qualified Instructor (SAS and Cdo) Special Forces Reinforcement (SAS and Cdo) Qualified Cdo reservist in a Cdo unit (daily rate) Qualified SAS reservist in SASR (daily rate)
$18,813 $51.54
4 IRR Disablement Technician $15,676 $42.955 TAG Medic or Ammunition Technician IRR Operator
$11,915 $32.64
6 Support member $6273 $17.19
TIER ELEMENT CONTINUOUS DAILY
By Sig Rebecca Saun
RESERVE Career Management Agencies are working with Director- General Personnel and other relevant agencies to ensure that ADF Reserve pay is finalised.
To enable the Army to place officers under the approved Graded Officer Pay Structure (GOPS) and soldiers under the expected structures for Graded Other Ranks Pay Structure, a full review and confirmation of Army Reserve members is being undertaken. This covers:� Review and confirmation of place-
ment under the Reserve Remuneration Review (RRR), which the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal approved in 2006.
� Placement of Army Reserve officers under GOPS.
� Placement of Army Reserve members under subsequent iterations of GOPS and other pay cases.A significant outcome of the RRR
was the partial removal of the discounted rate that previously applied to Reserve pay. In December last year, the case was presented and approved for all Army Reserve officers to be placed within the pay structure in the same manner as their ARA counterparts.
GOPS has been approved with effect from August 9, 2007.
For more information regarding the
Reserve pay update
RRR or GOPS, contact your career adviser at your regional Army personnel agency or Directorate of Reserve Career Management – Army (DRCM-A).
DRCM-A’s site on the DRN features updated information regarding GOPs.
Net effect: Cpl Steven Ward, 5/6RVR, and all reservists look forward to the outcomes of the Reserve pay review.
Photo by Cpl Chris Moore
Moving forward: The new Special Forces Disability Allowance recognises the nature of the job done by these 4RAR (Cdo) members and other SF soldiers.
Photo by Cpl Chris Moore
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Army February 7, 2008
PERSONNEL 23
THIS year again offers the opportu-nity for many Army members to accept the Army Expansion Rank Retention (AERR), Cr i t ica l Employment Category Retention (CECR) or the new Pilot Bonus (PB) Scheme.
While the formal instrument for PB is still to be issued, specific details of the other two bonuses can be found in Pacman volume 1, chapter 3, part 5, divi-sions 19 and 20.
The AERR and CECR acceptance and approval process remains largely unchanged from 2007.
AERRUnder the AERR, as at March 1, all
corporals or sergeants with two years’ continuous ARA/CFTS worn rank and captains or majors with three years’ con-tinuous ARA/CFTS worn rank, who did not receive the bonus in 2007, are likely to meet the eligibility criteria for pay-ment. A member can only be offered a bonus after eligibility is confirmed.
CECRThis is an ongoing scheme where all
members of a critical trade (as listed in Defence Determination 2007/8) are eligi-ble to accept this offer.
Trades will be added and removed from the list when Army considers trade numbers have become critical or are no longer considered critical.
Under both the retention schemes, if a member decides to accept a bonus, the member’s CO will approve payment and the unit will forward the original docu-ments to SCMA-A or DOCM-A (for the member’s career manager) and a copy to DEFPAC to initiate payment.
Where a bonus offer is rejected, a CO may wish to interview the member to understand how Army can better encour-age members to take up future retention initiatives. Non-acceptance documen-
Further bonus opportunities
ACROSS the Army thousands of soldiers have marched in to their new units. Removals, induction training, BFAs and a host of other things have been demanding attention – and, if you’re a supervisor at any level, you’re about to get even busier.
By now, most COs will have written their PAR directives appointing asses-sors, senior assessors and reviewing officers within their units and providing them with guidance on managing the Performance Appraisal System (PAS).
The PAS is a three-step process which consists of Initial Counselling, Mid-Term Review and the annual Personal Appraisal Report (PAR). This article will briefly cover the first two steps as further articles on the annual PAR and the Personnel Advisory Committee will appear in later editions.
Initial counselling and goal setting should have occurred within the first 30 days of the reporting period and, where a member is posted to a new unit, goal setting and initial counsel-ling is to occur inside the first 30 days after the member assumes duty. If this hasn’t happened, you should see that it does very soon. Initial counselling and goal setting are completed using form AC833-24 Preliminary Review of Performance (PRP) and form AC833-14 Preliminary Review of Performance for ADF Officers
The PRP has two general purposes. The first is its use as a personal devel-opment and counselling tool. The second is to assist the assessor in the preparation of the assessed member’s annual PAR.
The PRP is designed to record agreed goals, provide performance feedback to the member, identify strengths and weaknesses and provide constructive guidance for the reminder of the reporting period. During the ini-tial counselling phase only Part 1A of the PRP is completed. Midway through the reporting period the assessor and the soldier should review progress against the goals and discuss perform-ance to date. In addition, the assessor should use this opportunity for iden-tification of training or other develop-mental requirements needed to enhance individual performance.
When this process is conducted properly the mid-term review should provide a sound basis for the remainder of the reporting period for the produc-tion of the PAR. It also serves to mini-mise surprises. The mid-term reviews are recorded on pages two and three of the PRP. However, it is important to remember that counselling should not be limited to the initial and mid-term sessions, this is the minimum, and there may be more than one formal review during the reporting period
» DOCM-A contributed this article.
Reporting for duty
tation is required to be retained by the responsible career management agency.
Eligible members have 90 days, from receipt of an offer from their CO, to make a decision and return that decision to their unit. If a member is serving overseas, the start of the 90 days can be deferred until he or she returns to Australia.
Pilot BonusI t i s ex p e c t e d t h e D e f e n c e
Determination will contain the following detail:� The application period for the scheme
will be from February 1-29.� It will be targeted at members who
are performing the duties of quali-fied flying instructors and test pilots at captain and major level during the eligibility period of the scheme.
� The bonus will be a one-off payment of $30,000 on acceptance of an under-taking for a further 12 months’ serv-ice.
� Members subject to other non-pilot training ROSO may be eligible for this bonus.
� Members subject to a pilot training, QFI or TP ROSO as of February 1 will not be eligible for this bonus.DOCM-A staff will contact eligible
members before February 10 to provide further details of the scheme.
All in all these bonuses are a good start to 2008 for eligible members and are a part of Army’s continuing commit-ment to retain members.
» DMPA-A contributed this article.
The latest information on the bonus schemes and administrative processes is available at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/armyweb/sites/STAYARMY
ONLINE GUIDANCE
Peak performance: Pte Lukas Woolley (rear) checks the ammunition state with Pte Daniel Ball during a range practice in Iraq. Like all soldiers, their efforts are assessed through the PAS. Photo by Cpl Rob Nyffenegger
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Army February 7, 2008
24 PEOPLE
Ready to roll: SECDET XII’s Artificer Sergeant Major, WO2 Michael Frawley, stands next to his ASLAV - Fitter’s Variant in Baghdad. The recovery vehicle has been named after the patron saint of soldiers, and like St Michael of old the mechanic and his recovery vehicle watch over a warrior flock. Photo by Capt Cameron Jamieson
In remembrance: Lyle Martin, President of Coraki RSL Sub Branch, presents an Australian Flag and a 3RAR sash to Christine Anderson in memory of her Father Arthur O’Brien. Arthur was a member of 3RAR and served in the Korean war 1950-51 as the RP Sgt.
Party time: HQJTF 631 staff in Dili, Timor-Leste open the goodies sent in for Australia Day Celebrations. (left to right) Sgt Mary-Ann Holland, 1 MP Bn, Ops analyst Hayley Reynolds, RAAF Sgt Liz Crean, Timorese interpreters Floriana Maria Rosa Pinto and Luis Cardoso Martins, Cpl Luke Jones, 1 MP Bn. Photo by Cpl Rachel Ingram
A breather: RTF-3 soldiers Sgt Justin Smith and LCpl Michael Crossley take a break in their ASLAV in the Chora Valley Southern Afghanistan. Photo by Capt Al Green
Dad’s home: LCpl Peter Dimmack, 1 Bde, with his wife Rebecca and son Ryan at Darwin Airport after returning home from Iraq where he had spent six months supporting OBG (W). Photo by Tpr Michael Franchi
Army February 7, 2008
MARK TIME 25WHO: Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering members. WHAT: Armygeddon promotion. WHERE: Summernats, Canberra. WHEN: January 4. Words: David Edlington Photo: LAC Aaron Curran
Cfn William Hook, a trainee mechanic, joined the Army a year ago. “ I was studying computing, but I’m not really a desk person so I thought the Army was the way to go,” he said. He is proud to be involved with the Armygeddon project. “They showed us Armygeddon on our induction day and I liked what I saw. I turned up as a volunteer one day and haven’t left since. If it breaks we fix it, if it doesn’t we do all the maintenance and modifications so it looks different each year.” Summernats was his second promotional outing with the street machine; the other was to the Gold Coast Indy 300 car race. He said Armygeddon’s admirers fell into three categories: “tyre-kickers”, those who want to know all the technical details and those genuinely interested in the Army. His own car is a Mitsubishi Lancer.
Cpl Ben Hewett has been in the Army “just shy of nine years”. His posting to ASEME as an instructor has helped put his life back on track after a boat accident in which his 12-year-old cousin Asher died and his best mate Troy suffered brain damage. The boat hit a submerged log in a river at Echuca. (The first anniversary of the tragedy fell on the day Army spoke with Cpl Hewett at Summernats). “I was in a wheelchair for months and had to learn how to walk again – but I got off luckier than the others,” he said. “One of the great things about being posted to trade school – apart from the good karma of working with Armygeddon – is being close to my family and Troy.” He grew up in rural Victoria and has “always mucked around with cars”. He and his brother had a Datsun 120Y when he was 12. “I was pretty partial to an old Sunbird we had. I was 14 and stubborn and had an argument with Dad; I reckoned it could run on diesel, he didn’t. I made it half a ‘k’, so I proved him wrong, sort of.” He enjoys his job and values the “brilliant support” – particular-ly from his old unit, 1RAR – in the past year.
Cfn Ruan Westermann has been a mechanical apprentice for 18 months. “I joined the Army because it’s not a day-to-day dead-end job,” he said. “Also, I’m a big outdoor nut – I like to go camping and four-wheel-driving. Now, I get to do both.” He enjoys taking his fully modified Nissan Patrol where “there’s a bit of mud and rocks”, but it’s a different thrill behind the wheel of the Army’s street machine. “It’s very easy to kick it out and get it sideways with lots of smoke, but the hardest thing is getting back in a straight line. Getting back in my car after that, it feels like I’m driving around Miss Daisy,” he said. He is proud of the behind-the-scenes work on Armygeddon. “Fixing it after hours then seeing it out on the park doing a burnout the next day – that’s what makes it all worthwhile. It’s a privilege to work on this machine.”
Cfn Veronica Page, a trainee mechanic, joined the Army last July. “When I leave the Army, whether it be six years or 20, I can’t see the point in not having a trade,” she said. She first became interested in practical skills when she did woodwork in Year 9. “I made a nice little table, which I still use today.” She is excited to be part of the Armygeddon team and, while “not a car nut like the boys, I’m getting there”. She detailed cars for a few years, but her previous experience with vehicles cannot compare with her role now. “I enjoy waking up and going to work because I’m learn-ing something new every day. And working on a car like Armygeddon, that’s unique,” she said. A keen netballer, she likes the fact that Army life incorporates physical training. “Now I don’t have to struggle to exercise before or after work, which is a big one for me.”
The program is appropriately titled ‘Your
Money and You’ and is presented fi rstly in
three separate booklets ... Getting Advice,
Making Your Money Work and Buying a
Vehicle ...easy to read yet critically important
information and guidance when it comes to
managing and maximising your money.
The DVD is an entertaining and informative
overview of ‘Your Money and You’ and is an
ideal introduction to the program. Alternatively
you may wish to visit the Website which
is comprehensive yet easy to navigate and
understand. It includes an Online Budget
Planner as well as background information
on the Council. These resources will also be a
key part of the education programs, currently
being rolled-out across the ADF.
It’s comforting to know that when it comes to
learning about your money, the ADF Financial
Services Consumer Council is there to help you.
Learn from the ADF family
all you need to know about your money.
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
YOUR MONEY
YOUAND
WORKMAKING YOUR MONEYVEHICLE
VOLUME ONE
YOUR MONEY
YOUAND
ADF Financial Services
Consumer Council
WORKMAKING YOUR MONEYVEHICLE
VOLUME ONE
YO
UR
MO
NE
YA
ND
YO
U
The ADF Financial Services Consumer Council, an ADF initiative, was created
to ensure that you will always have independent, fi rst rate, regulator
approved, professional fi nancial information while also looking after
your consumer interests – regardless of your needs.
To make thisinformation simple and easy to understand,
the Council has developed a number of ways for you
to access and become acquainted with the key issues.
ADF Financial Services Consumer Council
For more information visit www.adfconsumer.gov.auor contact us at [email protected]
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The Christmas school holiday season is a time when many of us overspend on things like gifts, holidays and entertainment. Then early in the new year, the bills arrive. Unfortunately, it is also a time when there are many other expenses such as school fees and utility bills.
Trying to juggle repayments for credit cards, store cards and other debts is not just expensive – it can also be quite stressful. That’s where Australian Defence Credit Union can help.
You can save money by combining all of your credit card and other debts into one simple loan repayment. When you consider that some fi nancial institutions charge interest of over 20%pa* personal loans the amount you save could be quite substantial.
How Does it Work?1. Work out which debts you need to
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2. Add up your debts to calculate
how much you need to borrow.3. Apply for a debt consolidation
loan – online at www.adcu.com.au, by phone on 130 13 23 28, or see your local branch.
4. Once your loan is approved, we’ll pay out your card and loan balances.
Alternatively, this may also be a good time to review your credit cards and consider an Australian Defence Credit Card instead. It offers a low 8.25%pa* introductory rate which reverts to a low 12.80%pa* rate after six months, an interest free period of up to 55 days, and a low annual fee. You can transfer your outstanding balances and pay only the introductory rate for the fi rst 6 months; plus you will also enjoy this rate on all your transactions.Terms and conditions, fees and charges apply and are available on application.
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Army February 7, 2008
LIFESTYLE 27
ANYONE firing on the range wants to hit the bullseye. But you can’t expect to do that without understanding your
weapon and your target or without self-control. In many ways investing is a bit like that. Unfortunately, we con-tinue to see examples of investors los-ing money they can ill afford to lose.
Take careAs an ADF member, you are drilled
to understand that your life may well depend upon the readiness and use of your weapon, so you have to look after it. So, too, your finances, which are vital to your financial wellbeing.
Money invested into your military super scheme or a bank deposit is about as safe as you can get. However, the amount you can contribute to the military super scheme is limited by law. Money in a bank account, earning around 4.5 per cent a year, is unlikely to grow any faster than increases in the cost of living.
If you want to earn more than you can at the bank, you have to accept a greater risk of losing money in bad years or with risky ventures, sometimes even incurring permanent losses of both the income and the original capital invested.
Money in real estate, either your own home or an investment property, can grow faster than money in the bank, but nobody can guarantee that so you have to be very careful to pick the right home in the right place.
Shares are like that, with a higher expected return but also with a higher degree of risk. Generally, the rule is: the higher the return, the higher the risk. Remember that any investment where there is potential for rises and falls in value is dependent on general economic conditions.
With care and good advice, you can manage these risks but there are no guar-antees. One of the simplest ways is to
Aim to hit the markSetting targets and exercising self-control are vital for financial security.
spread your bets so that you’re not going to lose everything on a single investment.
With shares, you may want to use a managed share fund, where a profession-al investment manager picks the invest-ments. You can also invest a little bit of money regularly, instead of a lump sum all at once. That way, you don’t have to make a single bet on whether market prices will go up or down.
Your targetWhen it comes to money, your target
is going to depend on your own personal needs and circumstances. If you have a family to support, you may need to use more of your available cashflow now but you may also need to make sure your family will be secure if anything happened to you in the future. If you have big dreams, you’ll need to set more ambitious targets than someone who’s happy to live more modestly, but recog-nise the increased risk in doing so.
Before investing, make sure you think hard about what you’re trying to achieve and what’s right for you and for those who depend on you.
Self-controlIf you can’t control yourself, you’re
a danger to yourself and others. That’s as true with money as it is in a military situation. If you stick to careful, sensi-
ble principles with investing you are on much safer ground.
Do your homework and get advice, especially with large amounts of money. When you buy a home, there’s a lot to check: the condition of the building, whether it’s affected by other planning developments, and whether you’re get-ting a firm and secure title to the prop-erty. Do the same with any other type of investment.
Take things slowly and calmly. Make sure you fully understand whatever you’re getting into. Some types of invest-ments can be so complicated that even experts find them hard to understand. Indeed, some products are deliberately styled to be confusing. It’s perfectly OK to simply avoid these; why take the risk?
In the end, you decide to pull the trig-ger and you take the responsibility for what eventuates.
» This column was provided by ASIC on behalf of the ADF Financial Services Consumer Council. Feedback can be sent to [email protected]
ASIC’s consumer website, Fido at www.fido.gov.au, offers all sorts of help about money. ASIC’s “Risk and return calculator” can help you compare the return offered by a proposed investment with the relevant sector of the market. Ask Fido whenever you’re considering an important financial decision.
ONLINE COMPANION
Take aim: Strive to hit your financial targets. Photo by AB Paul Berry
Layout.indd 1 22/08/2007 3:27:47 PM
28 LIFESTYLEArmy February 7, 2008
If you can think of a clever, witty caption to this picture, email [email protected] with “caption competition” in the subject line. Keep entries under 25 words. Entries must include the sender’s name, rank and unit. Winner published March 6.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
1. Fred Gwynne2. Kevin Keegan3. Norma Jean Baker4. Elizabeth:The
Golden Age and I’m Not There5. Ricky Ponting6. InGen7. John Christian
Watson8. Archduke Franz
Ferdinand9. George Orwell10. 1953
1. Who played Herman Munster in the 1960s TV series, the Munsters?
2. Who was recently appointed manager of English football club Newcastle United?
3. What was Marilyn Monroe’s real name?4. For what two movies has Australian actress
Cate Blanchett been nominated for an academy award?
5. Who was the winner of the 2006 and 2007 Allan Border medals?
6. In the novel Jurassic Park, what is the name of the company that cloned the dinosaurs?
7. Which Australian Prime Minister was born in Chile?
8. What was the name of the Austrian royal who was assassinated in 1914 triggering World War I?
9. Who was the famous author who fought in the Spanish Civil War and served as a policeman in Burma?
10. In what year did the late Sir Edmund Hillary climb Mount Everest?
DIKKO By Bob Dikkenberg
Solution
CROSSWORDACROSS
1 Department (Abbr)4 Spiteful9 Old injury mark13 Exclamation of
surprise14 Ironic15 Old16 Former Soviet
Union
17 Element (Symbol B)
18 Block of data (Computer)
20 Seed vessel22 Stupor25 Ripen27 Sicken28 “Honest _____”
(President Lincoln)29 Circular plate32 An age
35 Ostrich-like bird39 Rural plot of land40 Otic adornment41 _____ Armstrong,
first man on moon42 Inappropriate44 At sea45 _____ Vegas, US
gambling city47 Raincoat49 Notch51 Small penguin
54 Transfix56 Story58 Now60 Threesome62 Expression of dis-
gust63 Advice64 Large tub65 Dirt66 Cereal67 Arrived
DOWN1 Frighten2 “Whats?”3 Turkish governor4 Arrest5 Situated on6 Hot wind7 Walked8 ____ and Yang10 South American aquatic
rodent11 High note12 Bailiff19 French, here21 Talk23 Balloon basket24 Author or deliverer of a
funeral oration25 Hindu title26 Level cut on hillside29 Level of karate profi-
ciency
30 Freeze31 Hindu goddess of beauty33 Female swan34 Edible mushroom36 Belonging to him37 Chemical suffix38 Turkish leader43 Spiny ant-eater46 Literary gossip48 Sum49 Rhythmic accent50 Indian city52 Immature insect53 Affect emotion54 Decant55 Indonesian dish, ____
goreng57 In the past58 To clothe59 Japanese currency61 Braggart (Colloq) (1.2)
� Say again, over
ANSWERS
Army February 7, 2008
LIFESTYLE 29SICK PARADE
LIKE Hans Christian Andersen’s steadfast Tin Soldier, Australian soldiers, sailors and airmen have
bravely done their duty but struggled to communicate – sometimes with tragic results.
The ADF provides a range of wel-fare services for members who might be struggling with their relationships or their mental wellbeing, but there is often a reluctance to access help.
Maj Lindsay Bancroft, of DCO, said one of the biggest challenges for his organisation was to encourage families to participate in events and workshops.
“We have lots of good programs and support for families but are continually faced with the problem of marketing our services and getting people to attend,” he said.
Maj Bancroft said poor communica-tion was one of the fundamental prob-lems leading to anger, which then could escalate into conflict.
“The Australian man likes to be seen as being tough, strong and in charge but when it comes to communicating he often doesn’t know what to say or how to say it,” he said. “It seems some men are scared that what they say or the emotions they express will be perceived as a sign of weakness.”
It is a misconception to regard a mental health issue as career ending, according to Maj Paula Stratton, of the Psych Support Section.
“Our job is to get personnel back to where they were and help them cope with life’s pressures, not have them kicked out.” Maj Stratton said. “Generally the earlier someone seeks help the easier their problem is to solve, which results in less impact on their career.”
Deployments, courses and support for other units put pressure on families and that creates a challenge between work and family life. Padre Catie Inches-Ogden said the most important thing for Defence personnel, and those
who love them, was to remember what was important. “If someone demon-strates inappropriate behaviour there is always a root cause or reason that can be teased out,” she said.
The welfare services stress that every individual is different, not only in regard to their needs but also in their treatment because there is no template.
They suggest that any member who might have a problem should talk to somebody who can direct them to help. From there the individual member makes the decisions based on the range of services available for the problems he or she might experience.
While there is honour in being stead-fast, there is no glory at all in reducing relationships to a cinder by not asking for help. It’s too late when all that’s left is a heart of tin.
» DCO’s programs and courses can be found at www.defence.gov.au/dco
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Avoiding a heart of tinADF members experiencing personal issues have a range of services open to them, Lt Bill Heck writes.
Shattered: A sculpture in the Australian War Memorial of a traumatised WWI Digger. The current generation of Defence personnel is encouraged to seek help when it’s needed. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran
Russell Crowe returns to top form in American Gangster, director Ridley Scott’s unique take on the American mob story. Crowe plays Manhattan detective Richie Roberts, a man strug-gling to come to terms with not only his own personal demons, but also a city being torn apart by drug abuse and police corruption in the late sixties.
This is until Roberts is given the chance to head up a police task force attempting to stamp out those very prob-lems that are spreading through New York like a cancer. Crowe’s performance is more A Beautiful Mind than Gladiator, with his character being riddled with self-doubt and insecurities.
Roberts’ investigations will eventu-ally lead him to Frank Lucas (Denzel Washington), the drug kingpin of Manhattan. Born into a mob family and inheriting the throne upon his father’s death, Lucas hatches an ingenious plan to rule the drug trade in New York City.
Having seen American soldiers return from the Vietnam War addicted to Heroin, Lucas purchases the drug in large quantities from the war-torn country, transporting it back on USAF Aircraft to avoid detection and satisfying the ever-growing demand.
Having grown accustomed to seeing Washington in “do-gooder” roles, his portrayal of the ruthless drug-lord Lucas is refreshing. It is no issue for Lucas to gun down his rivals in the middle of a busy Manhattan sidewalk with hun-dreds of witnesses – he is the king after all, and Manhattan is his Kingdom. As Roberts’ task force begins to make an impact and Lucas’s grip on his empire becomes tenuous, a dramatic and surpris-ing climax ensues.
Crowe takes on mobSPILT POPCORN
American GangsterRussell Crowe, Denzel Washington. Rated M15+ (157 mins)
The Key to American Gangster is its refreshing take on the mob story –most people know about the Italian-American influence on organized crime but who knew of the African-American domi-nance of the drug trade in New York in the 60’s and 70’s?
Despite the length of the film (approaching three hours) and some rather graphic drug scenes, an enthral-ling story and strong performances keep the viewer interested. With the back-drop of the Vietnam War and based on a true story, American Gangster seems somewhat more believable than the all-too familiar mob tales depicted in The Godfather and The Sopranos. These guys are the real American Gangsters. - By LAC Kane Mckay
Top form: Oscar winner Russell Crowe plays Manhattan detective Richie Roberts in the Ridley Scott- directed American Gangster.
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30 SPORTArmy February 7, 2008
Blue ribbon: Lt David Hodge (above) runs towards victory at the Australian Defence Sports Triathlon Association’s championships.
In her stride: Pte Shelley Marsh (right) maintains a comfortable pace to win the 18-24 year category.
Army triathlon triumph AN AGE advantage and a superior swim leg helped Army’s Lt David Hodge win the blue ribbon event at the Australian Defence Sports Triathlon Association’s champion-ships at Penrith late last year.
A stellar field of 40 lined up for the Olympic distance title with rain on the horizon and defending champion, Air Force’s Geoff Hanckel taking a break this year to be the race coordinator.
Lt Hodge won the overall hon-ours by 19sec from Air Force’s Flt-Lt Richard Gardiner, RAAF Base Richmond.
The race was the closest in years but with few weaknesses in his reper-toire, Lt Hodge was not to be denied despite the steadily rising temperature.
Lt Hodge’s 2hr 7min and 25sec was achieved with a 22min and 45sec swim leg, 1hr 4min and 28sec for the eight-lap bike course and 40min and 12sec for the 10km run. That gave him the overall and men’s 18-24 category titles.
Pte Wayne Eliott was third overall in 2:09.20 after a 22:47 swim, 1:04.42 bike ride and 41:51 in the run. He also won the M25-29 category.
Despite being under pressure for the first time by a fast-finishing Cpl Renee Simons (Army), who revelled in the heat, Capt Kirstan Hoppitt (Army) won the women’s overall and 25-29 category in 2:25:48 (31:54 swim, 1:07:13 ride and 46:41 run).
Second and third were Army’s Cpl Simons in 2:28.30 (30:50, 1:14.44, 42:56) and Pte Shelley Marsh in 2:43.27 (27:50, 1:17:56, 57:41) and Pte Marsh also won the 18-24 year category.
Capt Hoppitt’s win completed a carnival clean sweep in a standout per-formance.
Three races were contested over the four days, as well as a triathlon expo and a special visit from the 2007 Ironman World Championship runner-up Craig Alexander.
The ADSTA aquathon champion-ships began proceedings in a race con-tested over three legs - 1.5km, 300m, 1.5km.
The speed was on from the outset with Team Lazy Bones taking an early lead and setting a blistering pace. Into the pool, a trail of contenders trailed closely looking to take control, though
Pte Eliott again proved the man to beat in the water as he made up an enor-mous amount of time.
Lazy Bones maintained their momentum to win in 13min and 55sec.
The first individual male across the line was Pte Eliott in 15min and 7sec and the women’s title went to Capt Hoppitt in 17min and 9sec.
A field of about 30 lined up for the sprint distance, when the ADFA Falcons took an early lead out of the water and onto the bike with Cpl Luke Woodland (Army),
Cmdr Dave Trudgian (Navy), and AC Brenton Hetherington (Air Force) in hot pursuit, to make it a real tri -Service battle.
The bike and run legs began to sort out the field with the in-form FSgt John Hovius moving to the front, right on the tail of the lead team.
In the end the ADF Falcons were able to hold off FSgt Hovius to win in a respectable 1:2:13 with FSgt Hovius 3min behind in winning the ADF sprint title.
Capt Hoppitt won the women’s title in style by almost 7min. She was in a class of her own, also taking outright seventh.
Full results for all races and sponsor links and info can be found at the ADSTA website.
Page 30February 7, 2008
Armytriathlon
win
FRESH from its national champion-ships at the Federal Golf Club in Canberra late last year, the ADF Golf Association will embark on an ambi-tious tour program in 2008-2009.
An ADF representative team (hand-icaps 7-18) will tour South-East Asia in June and a top-level ADF Combined Services scratch side will tour Britain in June/July as guests of the Royal Navy.
A similar side will venture to New Zealand again in early 2009.
Wg-Cdr Trevor Owens, who organ-ised the recent national titles, said that the squads for SE Asia and Britain had been identified, with the final team make-ups to be formally announced later this month.
Army’s Bdr David Schwartz, 20 STA Regt, is the new ADF champion after producing some great golf (68, 72, 75, 77 for 292) in almost perfect golfing conditions at Federal.
Schwartz’s opening four-under-par round of 68 set the scene for his start-to-finish four-shot victory over Navy’s LEUT Darryl Whitehead (DMO Canberra) who carded rounds of 70, 75, 76, 75 for 296.
Air Force’s Sgt Greg Fraser, 382ECSS, (72, 78, 74, 76 for 300) suc-cessfully defended his 2006 title, lead-ing home Cpl Peter Reinke, 44WG DET Tindal, by a comfortable 10 shots.
Lt Ben Magi, 16 AD Regt, became Army Champion, shooting rounds of 76, 77, 79, 78 for 310, three shots ahead of Gnr Chris Turnbull, 1 Fd Regt.
Flt-Lt Zalie Munro-Rustean, SAW East Sale, was the leading woman player, with Will Semmens, GTESPO Williamtown, winning the APS title.
In the net events, WO Murray Widdeson, SCIT Canberra, was the runaway winner from PO David Toms, HMAS Kuttabul, Army’s Sgt Nick Jago RMC Duntroon, Air Force’s Sgt Darren Pay, HQGTW Wagga and APS’s Simon Downs, DMO Canberra.
Pte Chris Crooks, SOLS Sydney, and LCDR Brian Schlegel, of HMAS Stuart, were in a class of their own with holes-in-one during the tourna-ment. Pte Crooks made his on the 135m the par-three 16th on December 11 and LCDR Schlegel followed suit on December 12 on the 173m par-three third hole.
Wg-Cdr Owens said the event went smoothly in ideal weather.
As an added highlight, this year the ADFGA had hosted a New Zealand Defence Force Combined Services Golf team for a week of golf in Sydney, followed by the championship week in Canberra.
The NZDF team had mixed results, with wins against an ADF NSW side at Kogarah and St Michael’s Golf Clubs but was soundly beaten by the ADF Combined Services team before the nationals event.
In the main event, a nominated ADF team of players were comfortable winners over the NZDF in an aggre-gate team event held over the four days of the tournament.
In theIn theswingswing
On target: WO1 Peter Hawken, LHQ Townsville, keeps his eye on the ball at the ADF Golf National Titles in Canberra. Photo by LAC Aaron Curran
Nationals provide Nationals provide base for golf toursbase for golf tours