Australians in Afghanistan

[JMA]

From the Kings of War blog we get this article:

The (Colour Sergeant) Bourne Legacy: Soldierly Discipline

Starts with:

An excerpt from one Australian officer’s end of tour report as the CO of a Mentoring Task Force in Afghanistan laments what he sees as a pitiful level of ill-discipline amongst soldiers, their NCOs, and junior officers. The document, of course, is based on one person’s observations and opinions, but it is revealing nevertheless. And while it focuses on the current state of Australian soldiery, it would not be too far off the mark in describing the behaviour and mindset from other ABCA nations.

[socal1200r]

It's been said before, the U.S. hasn't been in Afghanistan for 10 years, we've been there for 1 year, 10 times in a row...

And I gotta ask this of George Singleton, who posted:

"In Afghanistan specifically a huge number of Pashtuns, and other ethnic groups of smaller numbers, are totally and literally illiterate."

"Literally illiterate" gave me a chuckle...so that would imply that they're "figuratively literate" then? lol...

I read thru that article that was at the beginning of this post, and if they don't understand if their main mission is COIN or CT, then they're in a world of hurt as far as organizing, training, and equipping their troops for mission success. I hate to say this, but I think VP Joe Biden got it right when he said that our focus in Afghanistan should be on CT, not COIN. CT doesn't require anywhere near the amount of resources or risk that COIN does.

[JMA]

From the Kings of War blog we get this article:

The (Colour Sergeant) Bourne Legacy: Soldierly Discipline

Starts with:

I am somewhat surprised that there was no response to the Kings of War blog entry.

This has been followed up with a response by the author to the comments made following his first entry.

Bourne (Again) Criticisms? A Review of the Commentary

[JMA]

A year or two ago I posted a link to a news story relating to 'problems' Australian forces were reportedly experiencing in Afghanistan. That post of mine was almost instantly deleted by some heavy handed moderator.

The article related to (IIRC) the frustration of Australian infantry deployed in Afghanistan in a non-offensive role which had led, it was reported, to increased drug abuse and even incidences of 'selling sex' (male or female was not specified) among Australian soldiers in theatre.

It appears that the previous two articles I posted links to deal with what should now be confirmed as serious issues among Australian troops.

Parallel to this is the ongoing sex and abuse scandals which never seem to go-away. The latest being:

Australian military abuse detailed in damning report

This follows after the previous report:

Sex scandal hits Australian military

Not picking on the Australian military but by way of an example how does one deal with a military which seems to be in a tail spin? Merely firing the generals may not be enough if the system is rotten to the core.

[Mark O'Neill]

A year or two ago I posted a link to a news story relating to 'problems' Australian forces were reportedly experiencing in Afghanistan. That post of mine was almost instantly deleted by some heavy handed moderator.

The article related to (IIRC) the frustration of Australian infantry deployed in Afghanistan in a non-offensive role which had led, it was reported, to increased drug abuse and even incidences of 'selling sex' (male or female was not specified) among Australian soldiers in theatre.

It appears that the previous two articles I posted links to deal with what should now be confirmed as serious issues among Australian troops.

Parallel to this is the ongoing sex and abuse scandals which never seem to go-away. The latest being:

Australian military abuse detailed in damning report

This follows after the previous report:

Sex scandal hits Australian military

Not picking on the Australian military but by way of an example how does one deal with a military which seems to be in a tail spin? Merely firing the generals may not be enough if the system is rotten to the core.

I am curious about the assertion of 'seems to be in a tail spin'. What specific objective evidence, within the context of the ADF's role and operational tasking, do you offer to support such hyperbole?

[JMA]

I am curious about the assertion of 'seems to be in a tail spin'. What specific objective evidence, within the context of the ADF's role and operational tasking, do you offer to support such hyperbole?

Ah... a defensive knee jerk reaction from an Aussie.

Lets start with the meaning of the word seems (a sample):

1. Used to make a statement or description of one's thoughts, feelings, or actions less assertive or forceful.

2. To appear to one's own opinion or mind

3. To give the impression of being; appear

etc etc.

Right I will answer your question and expect you to respond to the substance of my recent posts.

A small military (103,000 ?) such as Australia has seems to be getting a lot of bad press recently. If one reads the articles linked by me in previous posts it would appear/seem/look as if there are major disciplinary problems in the Australian military.

I also know that (have been told) that there is a lock down on information relating to the 'CO's Report'. I have managed to get a copy of 20 odd paragraphs of it (but have been sworn to secrecy on my source).

I guess a statement or rebuttal from official sources is unlikely so readers will have to be forgiven if they speculate on just how bad the situation is.

So ... all that said ... back to my question.

If a nation/country/military is faced with a disciplinary 'problem' as it seems/appears/looks Australia is from what is available in the media how is it best dealt with?

The Canadian Airborne Regiment was disbanded after the Somalia affair... and there I was thinking that discipline begins with the officers.

[davidbfpo]

Australia will withdraw most troops from Afghanistan's south at the end of this year and shut down a major base for NATO-led forces, handing security to Afghan soldiers and police, Defense Minister Stephen Smith said on Tuesday.

Link:http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...92O13E20130325

This not unexpected, but appears to be a year early. The position of their SOF is less clear:

Australia had not yet decided whether special forces troops would remain in Afghanistan next year or after 2014, Smith said, with negotiations still underway with the Afghan government.