2010 Paulatim Magazine - RAAMC Association

Message from the Corps Representative
Honorary Colonel – COL John Taske
The title and role of Representative Honorary Colonel / Colonel
Commandant of a Corps, is not widely understood. It is an honorary or
ceremonial title and the appointment is made by the Chief of Army on
the recommendation of the Head of Corps. It is usually conferred upon
a retired senior officer of that Corps. An Honorary Colonel's rank can
range from Lt Colonel to General. In my case, I wear the rank of
Colonel, my rank on retirement from the Army. The position does not
carry any executive military powers. The main function of this
traditional military position is to act as an advocate for the members of
the Corps (In my case all members, past and presently serving in the
RAAMC) and to advise the Head of Corps on relevant policy matters.
PAULATIM
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is John Taske and I am your
Representative Honorary Colonel. To me, it is both an honour and a
privilege to have been asked to fill this position. My army career
started in 1959 when I was called up for National Service with the
Infantry. I stayed in the Reserve Forces (Inf) for six years, working my
way up through the non-commissioned ranks to Lieutenant and then,
in 1966, transferred to Medical Corps in order to go to Vietnam as a
Regimental Medical Officer. In Vietnam, I served with the 5th Battalion
and 6th Battalion RAR and the 1st Field Regiment RAA. My regular
army career spanned 16 years, including three years in the SAS
Regiment. I attended Joint Services Staff College in 1977 and then took
up my final posting as Commander Field Force Medical Services from
1978 to 1981. I resigned to take up a career in the specialty of
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care.
'Elder Statesman' is the term used by the Engineer Corps to describe
their Colonel Commandant and they also emphasize the position to be a
“valuable source of advice and counsel for all ranks” and providing
a link between serving and former members of the Corps”.
I too wish to emphasize this part of my role as Representative Honorary
Colonel. I am your Advocate and I hope to meet as many of you as
possible whilst I fill this position and to hear about what you are doing,
what your aspirations are for the future and any thoughts or ideas you
may have on how things that you do every day may be improved.
If you see me around, I would like you to come up and talk to me.
I too was a 'baggy arse' once and really enjoy hearing what young
soldiers are up to these days.
PAULATIM
PA U L AT I M – M A GAZINE O F T HE R OYA L A U S T R A L I A N A R M Y M E DICAL C O R P S – 2 0 1 0 9