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One Lieutenant General's message about unacceptable behaviour

CAVU

just livin' the dream...
None
Just wanted to share what I think is the best message I have ever seen on the subject of unacceptable behavior in a military. With two children in the Navy, daughter a Super Hornet WSO and son an EOD Senior Tech, I am obviously very interested in the culture they are supporting and being supported by.


Here is the transcript of the video

David Morrison Speech text transcript

Chief of the Army, Lieutenant-General David Morrison

“Earlier today i addressed the media and through them and the Australian public about ongoing investigations in to a group of officers and NCO’s who’s conduct if proven, has not only brought the Australia Army into disrepute, but has let down everyone of you, and all of those who’s past service has won them the respect of our nation.

There are limits to how much i can tell you because the investigations in to this network by both the NSW police and the ADF investigative service are ongoing. But evidence collected to date has identified a group of men, within our ranks, who have allegedly produced highly inappropriate material, demeaning women and distributed it on the internet and defences email networks. If this is true, then the actions of these members are in direct contravention to every value that the Australian Army stands for.

By now I assume you know my attitude to this type of conduct. I have stated categorically, many times, that the Army has to be a inclusive organisation, in which every soldier, man and woman, is able to reach their full potential and is encouraged to do so. Those who think that it is ok to behave in a way that demeans or exploits their colleagues, have no place in this army. Our service has been engaged in continuous operations since 1999, and in it’s longest war ever in Afghanistan. On all operations, female soldiers and officers have proven themselves worthy of the BEST traditions of the Australian Army. They are vital to us, maintaining our capability now, and in to the future.

If that does not suit you…then get out!!

You may find another employer where your attitude and behaviour is acceptable, but I doubt it. The same goes to those who think toughness is built on humiliating others.

Every one of us is responsible for the culture and reputation of our army and the environment in which we work. If you become aware of any individual degrading another, then show moral courage and take a stand against it. No one has EVER explained to me how the exploitation or degradation of others, enhances capability, or honours the traditions of the Australian Army.

I will be ruthless in ridding the army of people who cannot live up to it’s values. And i need everyone of you to support me in achieving this. The standard you walk past, is the standard you accept. that goes for all of us, but especially those, who by their rank, have a leadership role.

If we are a great national institution, if we care about the legacy left to us by those who have served before us, if we care about the legacy we leave to those who, in turn will protect and secure Australia, then it is up to us to make a difference. If you’re not up to it, find something else to do with your life. There is no place for you amongst this band of brothers and sisters.”

– Chief of the Army, Lieutenant-General David Morrison speech transcript.

 

RobLyman

- hawk Pilot
pilot
None
Well said. But I wonder just how sensitive we are going to be coerced to be. Take our pilot training for example. I totally get the Fundamentals of Instruction that the FAA and the Army teach their flight instructors. I think even the Navy did a bit of that when I was an instructor at HSL-40/41. But what about the dip$hit who refuses to put in the effort? Please don't yell at them because you just might end up as the subject of an investigation. True story. Get caught cheating on a test? Make sure you have dirt on the soldier who reported you. That way you walk away free and clear and they get kicked out of flight school. What is missing from even this great speech is this statement, "With all of this emphasis on sensitivity, YOU STILL HAVE TO DO YOUR JOB!!!" If you are sub par in performance, maybe you should get yelled at. Not sexually harassed or anything like that, But yelled at? Sure!
 

picklesuit

Dirty Hinge
pilot
Contributor
Well said. But I wonder just how sensitive we are going to be coerced to be. Take our pilot training for example. I totally get the Fundamentals of Instruction that the FAA and the Army teach their flight instructors. I think even the Navy did a bit of that when I was an instructor at HSL-40/41. But what about the dip$hit who refuses to put in the effort? Please don't yell at them because you just might end up as the subject of an investigation. True story. Get caught cheating on a test? Make sure you have dirt on the soldier who reported you. That way you walk away free and clear and they get kicked out of flight school. What is missing from even this great speech is this statement, "With all of this emphasis on sensitivity, YOU STILL HAVE TO DO YOUR JOB!!!" If you are sub par in performance, maybe you should get yelled at. Not sexually harassed or anything like that, But yelled at? Sure!
Fact.
I had a substandard Sailor who was always having issues doing her job. Everyone was afraid to do anything because she was a black, female, lesbian sea lawyer.

When I took over her branch I sat down with the Chief and said I'd had enough. Her three strikes had been used (she had 11 counseling chits in her record) and the next time she fucked up I was sending her to mast.

It took 8 days. She dropped an EO complaint faster than a JO running to MIDRATS.

Thankfully the Command saw through her bullshit and she was duly punished. Still stressful as fuck having a pending EO complaint against your Chief.

Pickle
 

Swanee

Cereal Killer
pilot
None
Contributor
Fact.
I had a substandard Sailor who was always having issues doing her job. Everyone was afraid to do anything because she was a black, female, lesbian sea lawyer.

When I took over her branch I sat down with the Chief and said I'd had enough. Her three strikes had been used (she had 11 counseling chits in her record) and the next time she fucked up I was sending her to mast.

It took 8 days. She dropped an EO complaint faster than a JO running to MIDRATS.

Thankfully the Command saw through her bullshit and she was duly punished. Still stressful as fuck having a pending EO complaint against your Chief.

Pickle


I'm glad the command did the right thing. The problem with the BS EO/Sexual Harassment/Hazing/etc.. complaints is that they cheapen the real ones, and they make them more difficult. I don't know what the 2nd and 3rd order effects of directing punishment towards false claims would be (and arguments can be made both ways I'm sure), but sometimes it only takes an accusation to end a career even if that accusation turns out to be false.
 

SynixMan

HKG Based Artificial Excrement Pilot
pilot
Contributor
Well said. But I wonder just how sensitive we are going to be coerced to be. Take our pilot training for example. I totally get the Fundamentals of Instruction that the FAA and the Army teach their flight instructors. I think even the Navy did a bit of that when I was an instructor at HSL-40/41. But what about the dip$hit who refuses to put in the effort? Please don't yell at them because you just might end up as the subject of an investigation. True story. Get caught cheating on a test? Make sure you have dirt on the soldier who reported you. That way you walk away free and clear and they get kicked out of flight school. What is missing from even this great speech is this statement, "With all of this emphasis on sensitivity, YOU STILL HAVE TO DO YOUR JOB!!!" If you are sub par in performance, maybe you should get yelled at. Not sexually harassed or anything like that, But yelled at? Sure!

Navy types get instruction fundamentals in their training track coming back to CNATRA.

However important to treat air and ground stuff differently. They're distinct animals in my (admittedly limited) experience instructing. I find yelling/high pressure to be of negative value in the plane, especially early on in the training. Students shut down quickly and you've now wasted a scant training flight.

Completely different for knowledge/judgement/general shitbaggery on the ground.
 

RobLyman

- hawk Pilot
pilot
None
Navy types get instruction fundamentals in their training track coming back to CNATRA.

However important to treat air and ground stuff differently. They're distinct animals in my (admittedly limited) experience instructing. I find yelling/high pressure to be of negative value in the plane, especially early on in the training. Students shut down quickly and you've now wasted a scant training flight.

Completely different for knowledge/judgement/general shitbaggery on the ground.
I agree, yelling is rarely constructive in the cockpit...however sometimes, if the student is that big of a $hitbag, frustration can try to get the best of you. In our case we have a poorly motivated, distracted student pilot who is WELL behind his peers. By distracted I don't mean personal or home problems. He simply would rather do other things besides study.

To summarize my change to the speech above:

Don't act like an a$$hole and don't treat people like an a$$hole. If you act like an a$$hole, you have no grounds for complaining when people treat you like an a$$hole. Harden up buttercup. That is all.
 
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