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
Chief of Army Addresses Maritime Conference
Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison has re-iterated the importance for a joint force and that the foundation to Australia's security is a maritime strategy.
Lieutenant General David Morrison was speaking on the opening day at the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sea Power Conference in Sydney on 31 January 2012.
"A maritime strategy is not a naval strategy, it's a joint, indeed an inter-agency, and perhaps coalition strategy and Army has an essential role to play if that strategy is to continue to have relevance in the coming decades," said Lieutenant General David Morrison.
The Chief of Army articulated Army's role in the maritime strategy and provided an insight into how the doctrinal and force development planning will combine to Government's direction and guidance, in order to be capable of executing the strategic tasks allocated to Army.
More than 1000 delegates representing 35 countries, including first time attendee Nigeria, will attend the largest Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sea Power Conference in Sydney from 31 January to 2 February 2012.
The RAN Sea Power Conference is an integral part of the biennial Pacific 2012 Maritime Congress, and Exposition, conducted by Maritime Australia Limited, and Pacific 2012 International Maritime Conference, hosted by Engineers Australia, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology.
The Chief of Army's speech can be viewed at Radio Transcripts & Speeches page.
Timor Leste Task Group 4 Prepares for Deployment to Timor Leste
Timor Leste Task Group 4
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Army Band Melbourne led the 171 soldiiers of Timor Leste Task Group onto the parade ground
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171 members of the Timor Leste Task Group 4 preparing for deployment to Timor Leste on Operation Astute were farewelled at a parade on Sunday. The farewell parade was held at RAAF Williams in Laverton, Victoria and was attended by friends and families of the soldiers.
The soldiers are drawn from Army reserve units across the 2nd Division but primarily from the 4th Brigade. The task group also draws on Regular Army units from the 7th Brigade.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney who farewelled the soldiers said the parade was an opportunity for family, friends and the community to farewell the deploying troops.
"The soldiers will be deploying in February and will complete an eight-month operation," Senator Feeney said.
"This parade is an opportunity to show them our appreciation."
Defence Community Organisation - Welcome Day for Canberra Defence Families
When: Saturday February 18 from 10 am - 1 pm
Where: Duntroon Community Centre, Gymkhana Road, RMC Duntroon
New and established families of ADF members are invited to discover what the Canberra community has to offer.
Listen to the RMC Band, grab a sausage or entertain the kids with face painting and dance displays.
Enquiries: Defence Community Organisation 02 6265 8777
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.