Australian Army Journal

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OPINION On the Culture of the Australian Army So we must look elsewhere for the Army’s intellectual ferment. There is much apparent intellectual effort expended on regimental papers and histories, on in-unit training and so on. But my experience of these events and efforts is that they are mainly forced labour for the sake of appearances. The quality is usually low and the purpose mostly unclear. My readers must make up their own minds on this point. You should pick up some of the plentiful output of regimental papers, future operating concepts and staff products and read them critically. Is there anything new there? Has the author applied individual thought, or is the mere quotation of authorities all there is? Along with this is an exaggerated respect for something called common sense. It seems to indicate some capacity for understanding simple matters without excessive analysis, facilitating decision and action. And it does just that, providing the matter is a familiar one, or analogous to a familiar situation. Otherwise it fails, revealing itself to be Berger’s ‘homemade ideology of the ignorant’. 49 All this seems at first glance rather dysfunctional, but it’s not. The soldier needs it to be this way. The elusive ‘why’ came to me eventually, and it is simple. Free thought and knowledge have great potential to undermine obedience. 50 We have already put obedience down as a key component of our number two cultural factor, honour. So too much free thought is dangerous to soldiers and the Army. 51 Armies are often required to do things that are hardly in their best interests. Still less are the interests of individual members consulted. It would be difficult to imagine a species of highly reflective or intellectual soldier who could reconcile this with the necessary obedience. Still less is it possible to resolve the contradiction between the futility of most conflicts over the medium term with the need to fight them today. Who would have spent so much blood and treasure to win the First World War knowing it would set the conditions for the Second so soon? For that matter, who would have fought in Iraq only to create a Shia-dominated theocracy whose most obvious strategic partner is Iran? 52 Wars in recent times have been mainly futile — at least the wars of Western powers. We have supported rebellions against tyrants only to find that their successors are unfriendly to us.53 We are fighting Islamic terrorists while holding onto Western economic domination of the world, absolutely ensuring that future generations of Arabs, Africans and Asians will seek to displace us. 54 The futility of it is clear enough. But it is not the soldier’s business to consider that. He must simply fight where he is told and win where he fights. 55 Australian Army Journal Culture edition 2013, Volume X, Number 3 Page 238
OPINION On the Culture of the Australian Army So anti-intellectualism, the rejection of deep thought in favour of a simple and sufficient logic, is a protective screen for soldiers. It keeps them from worrying about those larger questions beyond their control, whether they be the futility of war or some absurdity in the daily routine. It is simpler and less stressful to just get on with the job. In the end… With those five qualities soldiers are complete. Ferocity is their foundation, making them both fighter and killer. Honour makes that violence socially useful. Insularity preserves the soldier’s identity from unmilitary influences and protects society from unsettling examination of the violence for which it is paying. Love binds soldiers into teams that will endure the horrors of war and the ennui of peace alike. And anti-intellectualism maintains the simple faith necessary for service. If it sounds medieval, cloistered and austere, it is. Not that much has changed in the spirit of good armies since the Roman legions. If you don’t believe me, read Vegetius. 56 It worked then and it still works today. This then is the culture of the Australian Army. It has made and continues to make our army a fine fighting force. On the other hand, it breeds a ruthless rejection of perceived misfits and occasionally shelters disgraceful acts and individuals. How does it compare with courage, initiative, teamwork? I don’t see an inconsistency there. Soldiers living and serving within the culture I describe certainly show those qualities. There may be a case for reform because of that downside I mentioned above. 57 But remember why warriors are there. Their strength and resolve are society’s last guarantee. If ferocity is lost in any reform process, that guarantee is lost. So consider first the strengths of what we have, and do not act rashly in an attempt to reconcile the Army to the society it serves. They are very different. Unless we wish to see either a militarised society or a Peace Corps in place of an army, they should remain so. Australian Army Journal Culture edition 2013, Volume X, Number 3 Page 239
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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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ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE Learning to
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ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE Family Frien
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Page 187 and 188: ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE From Institu
Page 203 and 204: OPINION Army’s Spirit Warrant Off
Page 205 and 206: OPINION Army’s Spirit Pride As RS
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 237: OPINION On the Culture of the Austr
Page 245 and 246: OPINION Fifty Shades of Grey: Offic
Page 255 and 256: CREATIVE WRITING Lost in Translatio
Page 257 and 258: CREATIVE WRITING Lost in Translatio
Page 259 and 260: NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS NOTES FOR CO
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Australian Army Journal

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