Australian Army Journal

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OPINION Army’s Spirit wellbeing and professional satisfaction, resulting in great benefits for Army such as higher morale and improved retention. Army’s spirit is at the heart of Army life, and while it cannot be costed, seen, heard or smelt, it is certainly valued and felt by our members. While we often talk about our former stated values — courage, initiative and teamwork — and now our most recent, respect (and I will discuss this in far more detail later), the other four elements are often taken for granted and nearly always absent from Army’s conversations about our values and culture. I believe that a discussion of these elements is worth having as, along with our stated values, these form the foundation of our human and collective spirit. The elements — pride, faith, mateship and opportunity — are interconnected and interdependent. If Army’s leaders foster and inculcate Army’s spirit in our people, the result will be higher morale, which will both strengthen and lift our Army as a respected institution. Army members who live and represent Army’s spirit are positive role models for the small number of people who I call the ‘some of us’ who feel that these are mere words on a poster or a ‘throwaway’ line — they are not! Army’s spirit and our nine core behaviours are a guide for all of us as to how to live our lives as Australian soldiers. I believe that the some of us misunderstand and misrepresent our spirit and values which sometimes results in oxygen for unacceptable behaviour and low personal standards. This is damaging to Army’s standing as a respected national institution and adversely affects the wellbeing of us all. The unacceptable behaviour and low personal standards of some have a negative impact on us all, as individuals and as an organisation. Our reputation is based on how we behave towards one another and towards those outside Army, whether in or out of uniform. Being a soldier is a 24/7 profession. Being a soldier is a way of life. I believe that our officers and soldiers represent the best of Australian society. Few armies can make this claim. The human qualities that motivated us to join and to serve our nation are inherent in our stated values, but just as important are the five additional elements I have highlighted. It is the responsibility of Army’s leaders to continually draw attention to the importance of Army’s values and to foster a leadership environment in which Army’s spirit can flourish. This environment will be one in which our officers and soldiers look forward to parading each day — a very effective retention measure, and one which supports personal and professional wellbeing and satisfaction. Australian Army Journal Culture edition 2013, Volume X, Number 3 Page 204
OPINION Army’s Spirit Pride As RSM-A, I speak to more of our people, and to a more diverse Army audience, than the vast majority of individuals in Army. I have met very few soldiers who do not have great pride in Army — pride in the past and pride in today. The vast majority of the Australian people also share our great pride, as can be seen in the popularity of ANZAC Day. Army’s obligation is to continue to earn and retain the pride of our nation. Every unit has much to be proud of. Our unit leaders should always ensure that their people know about their unit’s history and the achievements of their unit team, both individually and in the collective sense, in order to foster pride in the actions of those from yesterday, today and into the future. Pride in our history offers an important model to our officers and soldiers and shows them what we expect them to live up to. Leaders must always display the traits and behaviours that support pride and utilise it to fortify the unit environment. This is part of leadership by example. Faith Fundamental to faith is trust. In Australia, we have one of the most egalitarian societies in the world. Our officers and soldiers come from that society making our Army one of the most egalitarian in the world. Military environments are unique and demand superior/subordinate formal relationships and a willing acceptance of lawful orders and rules. These are essential to the way Army operates. Being a hierarchical organisation does not mean that two-way engagement is frowned upon or undesirable. In fact, our people deliver most and best in an environment of mutual trust. Our people feel the right to be trusted to perform their duties and meet their responsibilities. We expect our leaders to create a working environment based on trust. But trust is not automatic and freely given. Superiors are required to earn the trust of their subordinates through positive leadership, just as subordinates are required to earn the trust of superiors and colleagues through high work standards and behaviours. It has been my experience that all trust must be validated. The willing, even cheerful, acceptance that trust must always be checked leads to effective supervision and the maintenance of standards best suited to the character of the Australian soldier. A glance at our grass roots history shows us this. For trust to flourish in a unit, the principle and practice of tolerance of honest mistakes and learning must exist. This does not mean the tolerance of negligence which is never acceptable. Our officers and soldiers must know the difference Australian Army Journal Culture edition 2013, Volume X, Number 3 Page 205
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Australian Army Culture edition 201
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CONTENTS CHIEF OF ARMY FOREWORD....
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CHIEF OF ARMY FOREWORD When I assum
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CHIEF OF ARMY FOREWORD her gender,
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EDITORIAL the way in which it deals
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HISTORY Serving Their Country: A Sh
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HISTORY ‘A Homosexual Institution
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GENDER AND SEXUALITY Steyrs and She
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GENDER AND SEXUALITY Sexuality, Coh
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RELIGION Religious Diversity in the
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IDENTITY Military Retirement: Refle
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DISCIPLINE Hazing in the ADF: A Cul
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OPERATIONAL CULTURE The Myths of Cu
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ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE Securing Arm
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Page 153 and 154: ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE Securing Arm
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Page 203: OPINION Army’s Spirit Warrant Off
Page 207 and 208: OPINION Army’s Spirit Mateship ca
Page 209 and 210: OPINION Army’s Spirit Our people
Page 211 and 212: OPINION Army’s Spirit I think it
Page 213 and 214: OPINION Brothers and Sisters in Arm
Page 227 and 228: OPINION On the Culture of the Austr
Page 245 and 246: OPINION Fifty Shades of Grey: Offic
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CREATIVE WRITING Lost in Translatio
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CREATIVE WRITING Lost in Translatio
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NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS NOTES FOR CO
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