Under 21 ? , Unemployed ? , Want A Career

[OWZAT]

G`day Fellas ,

Huh , Having just tuned into the ABC , I was amazed to hear that the very subject I had been discussing only two weeks ago , namely " The State Of Our Armed Forces " with a recently Retired RSM of 30 years , was going to be run on 4 Corners tonight .

The Sar Major , was desparingly adament that we are In dire need of Recruits .

The reasons were too many to list here , Low Morale , Low Pay , to name a few , but as I understand it , all is promised to be revealed tonight on Aunty .

The sadly disallusioned former RSM , said quite frankly , that if the Army could not get at least 20,000 new recruits in the next year , then Goss was " The Federal Government will reintroduce Conscription" !.

Now I don`t think that that is such a bad idea , with a legitimate 7.6 % of the nation unemployed , but it might be a big ask considering the State of the Middle East conflict.

Now I have to say , that although I did my National Service , mine was in 1959 , which was the very last intake , but the training was just as fierce as any other , probably a little more actually , because most of the REGS were Korean War Vets , and they somehow resented the fact that as it was over , they would no longer be needed , so they stuck it to us.

I also have to say , that my 103 Days spent in National Service Changed me forever , as It did for many others , and I have never regretted one day of it.

So , Is this Program tonight by Chris Masters , an in deptht look at the problems the Army is having at gaining recruits , or is it a whistle blowing exercise by 4 corners of a more sinister plot being hatched By the Libs to Reintroduce Conscription.

Politcal Post .....Perhaps , but It concerns all of us in a way .

What do you lot think ???

Mick

[robthefisherman]

I'm not against National service at all but I'd be surprised to see it brought back in, I heard an interview with President of the RSL about 6 months ago and they were against the idea. They did also say that if it were to be bought back that none of the conscriptions would be sent out of the country and would only perform support roles on Australian soil.

I spent a few years in the reserves and I reckon it's great for building character and the cheap booze is a bonus too

Problem is though from my point of view is we live in a selfish society that only cares about one thing and that is themselves so serving the greater good of the nation is not high on the list of young peoples priorities couple with that the fact we are living in troubled times and the possibility of diggers seeing action is probably the greatest it's been in 40 years along with the crap pay and the fact that you will more than likely have to move away from home doesn't really make it all that attractive to kids these days.

The Defence force in general need to look at their image and market themselves to make it attractive to young people then organise itself.

[Spanker]

Having spent a little bit of time in the army here are my impressions.

The army is essentially an extention of the public service which has largely escaped much of the change other elements of the public service has been exposed to over the last 20 years.

E.g.

No one gets fired for poor performance. Indeed par for the course is to transfer underperforming staff to another unit.

No one gets rewarded for excellent service. There are no bonuses or variable remuneration for high achievers. As promotion prospects are so limited and are largely made on seniority anyway, quality people leave the army in droves every year in digust.

If we look at the cumulative effect og the first two points, you get a high aggragate of under-acheivers who don't give a toss, further accelerating the loss of quality people who don't want to work with bums and morons.

Divorce rates are sky high, as is alcoholism and pornagraphy. These three things feed eachother and turn diggers into eternal teenagers, ever getting smashed and chasing girls. Amusing in 18 year olds, pathetic in 35 year olds.

Beaucracy - you ain't seen nothing until you have been in the army. Inefficiency is order of the day.

Given that it costs upwards of 100,000 to train an infantryman and most people leave within 4 years - if they delt with personnel issues, people would stay longer, less outlays on and need for recruitment, more money for resouces and such.

For goodness sake much of our standard issue gear was veitnam era or earlier.

Accountability, performance related pay and promotion, retention schemes.

I comment on the institution of the army, not it soldiers or tranditions.

Spanker

[robthefisherman]

Looks like your impression of the army was much the same as mine, the most disorganised organisation going, having said that I had some fun times while I was there but as you said mate most of it involved getting smashed and chasing girls

It was a lot of fun as a reservist but not where I would be chasing a career and there I think lies there problem

[OWZAT]

G`day Fellas ,

don`t worry about the last 20 years boys , nothing has changed in 50 !!!.

Mick

[hawkeye]

A lot has changed guys before they used to play soldiers in QLD or the territory now if you joined up you end up in Iraq playing for real

youd have to be crazy Hawkeye

[robthefisherman]

You'd know hawkeye how long were you with the 4077?

Sorry mate I couldn't resist