Closure of the Army Fair Go Hotline over the reduced activity period 2011/2012
The Army Fair Go Hotline - 1800 100 064 will close down during the reduced activity period from 2100 hours Fri 16 Dec 11 and will resume operation at 0900 hours Mon 30 Jan 12.
Alternate contacts are:
All Hours Support Line (mental health support) - 1800 628 036
Defence Equity Advice Line - 1800 803 831
Lifeline - 13 11 14
Message from Acting Chief of Army regarding unacceptable use of social media
You may be aware of recent public reporting about inappropriate comments made through social media.
I am personally appalled and disenchanted with the repugnant comments made by some among us on Facebook. Racist and homophobic comments are entirely unacceptable and completely at odds with Army's values, including all of the cultural and equity training we undertake.
These comments display, for all to see, a simple lack of human decency, intelligence and compassion; the very qualities that set us apart from our adversary. The behaviour undermines our efforts in Afghanistan, fuelling those who seek us harm and weakening our efforts to win the support of the Afghan people. At home, such comments erode the confidence of our Government, the Australian people and, indeed, the overwhelming majority of soldiers.
We should be proud of the great work that Army undertakes on a day to day basis, both at home and abroad. We should all remain committed to protecting the reputation of the Australian Army. In my view, there is no place in the Army for people who act with such poor judgement.
Finally, I actually encourage the use of social media, such as Facebook, for good. Harnessing the power of social media can help us learn and adapt more quickly than ever before. But that same power can be equally destructive when it is used inappropriately. We each have an obligation to ensure that we act with the good of Army in mind. It is a serious obligation and one for which individuals must be held to account. Unacceptable behaviour is unacceptable, regardless of the means through which it is conveyed.
P.B. SYMON
Major General
Acting Chief of Army
Team Army at Summernats
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TEAM Army made its yearly pilgrimage to the national show of rev heads, burn outs and meticulously built and tuned vehicles, to Summernats car festival held in Canberra from January 5-8.
It was the seventh time the team visited the hugely popular event, the first was in 2006 when they unveiled the then new and highly modified, six-wheel Armygeddon Landrover.
The team's two immaculately presented vehicles; Project Digger Ford LTD staff car and Armygeddon were on display promoting Army's trade capabilities to the public.
Project Digger Project Manager Lieutenant Colonel Tom Regener said the role of the team had not changed in the eight years of its existence.
"We're branding Army in a motorsport environment and heightening the awareness of the technical trades available as jobs in the Army," Lieutenant Colonel Regener said.
"The Army's a high tech organisation and there's a big demand to recruit and train technical trades people.
"We have to compete with mining and a number of other industries to stimulate interest in technical trades and have them join us."
The team consists of eight volunteer apprentice trainees and four staff from Army's School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers based at Latchford Barracks, Bonegilla in Wodonga Victoria.
One of the team members who helped maintain the two vehicles at Summernats was first year apprentice diesel mechanic, 21 year old Craftsman Troy Simmonds.
"I've only been in the Army for just over six months and I decided to join after I saw Armygeddon at the 2009 formula one grand prix in Melbourne," Craftsman Simmonds said.
"What Team Army and Armygeddon sold to me was how after I did my apprenticeship I could be a soldier, work on all of the Army vehicles and possibly work on something like Armygeddon and Project Digger.
"I thought I've got no problems with that, I was a young bloke so I thought I'd give it a shot and I'd do the right thing and serve my country."
He said he enjoyed being a part of Team Army.
"I love it, you're never by yourself and there's always someone there to lend a hand to help you out," he said.
"There's such a wealth of knowledge in the team, it's amazing and for someone like myself coming off the street who didn't know much about vehicles the people here will sit you down and explain everything.
"You can't beat it."
Project Digger Chief Mechanic, driver and Army mechanic trade instructor Sergeant Stewart Watson said he joined Team Army two years ago.
"I've always had an interest in motorsports and I think it's a great concept, it has a lot of value and merit allowing the trainee apprentices to pick up extra skills during their training," Sergeant Watson said.
"We had to put a lot of time and effort to get to this year's Summernats, which included rebuilding Project Digger's engine."
The engine needed work after it was damaged when the radiator failed after completing a burnout performance at last year's Gold Coast V8 Supercars event during October last year.
"The driver was waiting to get off the track after his performance and the radiator failed causing a bearing seizure, destroying a conrod, which then damaged two cylinders, two pistons and the crank," he said.
"It took us a month to source parts and rebuild the engine, with the team finishing the job at 1.30am on January 4."
So what's it like to be paid to drive an Army car like a zealous enthusiast, destroying its back tyres within a minute and with a screaming rev head audience egging you on?
"It's pretty exciting," he said.
"We've set up the car so it's easy to drive and the engine has been tuned so it's not aggressive and very easy to handle."
Project Digger's first Summernats burnout performance on January 6 kicked off the 2012 burnout masters competition.
After an introduction by the announcer, Sergeant Watson put on a 45 second feast of burnout power skid and donuts, which would make Homer Simpson or any rev head salivate.
The large crowd went nuts, cheering Team Army's efforts in black skid artistry.
"After 45 seconds of burnouts there was only 1 millimetre of rubber thickness left on the back tyres," Sergeant Watson said.
Team Army will also attend in 2012 the F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne, a number of trade and jobs fairs and select V8 Supercars races.
The Defence Family Forum 2012
Defence Families are invited register interest in the 2012 Defence Family Forum.
The Defence Family Forum 2012
When: 30 April to 2 May 2012
Where: Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour
This three-day event gives Defence families an opportunity to explore the military way of life, the future of family support, and Defence families' role in leading and shaping the wider Australian community.
DCO will use the thoughts, ideas and information gathered at the Forum to engage Defence and civilian community organisations in collective support of Defence families.
All Defence members and partners are encouraged to register their interest in attending the Defence Family Forum using the registration form available at the Defence Community Organisation website
Registrations close Sunday 19 February 2012.
Places are limited and attendees will selected from the pool of those who have registered interest. Attendees will be required to participate in a pre-forum workshop held at their local DCO office. Defence will fund air travel and accommodation costs for Forum participants.
Chief of Army unveils future structure and capability for Army
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, AO recently announced Plan BEERSHEBA, a restructure of the Australian Army to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency.
Plan BEERSHEBA is the second phase of Adaptive Army, and will focus on the restructure of 1st, 3rd and 7th Brigades to form new Multi-role Manoeuvre Brigades that are alike in structure.
These Brigades will enable sustained operations within a new 36-month Force Generation Cycle, which in turn will ensure Army transitions to a force structure that is ready to respond to the full spectrum of possible operational commitments. Each one will include infantry, armour, artillery, engineer, logistic and communication elements.
Army Reserves will realign to be more integrated with the regular Army with two Reserve Brigades supporting each Multi-role Manoeuvre Brigade. This will see the Reserve assume an even greater focus on stability operations such as East Timor and the Solomon Islands.
Plan BEERSHEBA also introduces ADF's new amphibious capabilities such as the new Landing Helicopter Docks (LHD) ships which represent a fundamental shift in how Army will deploy land forces and conduct operations in response to the full spectrum of conflict scenarios in the future.
Lieutenant General Morrison said, "the Army's Deployable Joint Force Headquarters will foster and develop an amphibious culture across Army, but it will take some time to master. The important point is that the Army is committed to developing this aspect of its operations."
To reinforce Army's commitment, the Chief of Army has designated the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) to form the core of Army's contribution to a future amphibious force as this developmental work is done.
"2RAR will work on a day to day basis with Navy and Air Force on the LHDs and other amphibious platforms to further develop this joint capability."
In his inaugural year as Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Morrison expressed his confidence in Plan BEERSHEBA to deliver an Army that is robust, relevant and capable for the tasks directed by Government.
"Our modern Army is moving into the future with a new perspective and a smarter way of doing business and delivering capability within the resources we have," Lieutenant General Morrison said.
"Plan BEERSHEBA will ensure that Army can continue to contribute forces to operations including Afghanistan, until the mission is complete, and will successfully transition to a force that maintains high levels of readiness to react to the range of Australia's Defence needs as they arise.
"On operations and at home, it means we will derive the full value from our Army."