During the Vietnam era prospective candidates for commissioned rank in the army were advised that a career would not make them wealthy. However they did infer that such a career would provide life-experiences that money could not buy. Others were told that ‘the army is just the thing you need, son!’
Once conscripted many decided to transfer to the regular army and went on to experience tours of duty in South East Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the United States. Many served and trained with allied armies on exchange postings. Some served in combat roles while others were involved in peacekeeping duties. Their experiences confirmed the adage that there are things in life that money simply cannot buy.
Today we have young servicemen and women upholding the finest traditions of our armed services in hostile combat zones in Iraq and Afghanistan and peacekeeping duties in a host of other nations around the world. Manpower shortages have burdened them and their families with a heavy load and constant disruption to ‘normality’.
Whilst they do not have to face the traitors who mocked and attacked our Vietnam Veterans on their return from active duty they do have to contend with a somewhat apathetic nation in regard to their service to freedom.
Recruitment for our armed forces has been difficult in recent years. There are many reasons for this including an abundance of jobs in a booming economy over the past decade, changing social attitudes among Generation Y, and the lack of any perceived threat to our freedom.
The Australian Defence Force has introduced changes into its training and operational strategies to reflect changing social attitudes. However it must continue to demand a high level of personal and group discipline to allow it to operate effectively in a hostile environment. Many would argue that this is not necessarily a bad thing for recruits from Generation Y.
If the current economic climate makes the Defence Force a more viable option for young school leavers then this is not necessarily a bad thing. From my personal experience as a Vietnam conscript it will be a win-win situation. Our over-stretched Defence Forces will have a pool of well educated and highly motivated young Australians available for service. The new recruits will learn new skills, develop personal discipline and acquire leadership skills not available in any other environment.
It often takes some sort of adversity to bring the best out of a nation and its people. Our past experience indicates that whenever Australians are confronted with adversity they adapt and conquer it and are far better off for the experience.
Tags: Army, My Opinion
