Commando News Magazine edition 4 2020

Inspector-General of the ADF’s Afghanistan Inquiry. The
role will also include a focus on strategic planning for the
Repatriation Commission.
Link: https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-newsveterans/significant-repatriation-commissionappointments
Veteran Health Week
24 October to 1 November 2020
Social connection is one of the most important
contributors to a person’s emotional, mental and physical
wellbeing, and is even more important this year as we face
barriers to the types of connection that we’ve always
relied on. DVA is encouraging the veteran community to
reach out to those who are feeling or becoming isolated.
So, it’s time to get creative and create new opportunities
to connect, either in person or virtually over the phone or
internet. Veterans’ Health Week will be held from
Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2020. Events
can also be held during the week before and three weeks
after these dates.
Link: https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-newsveterans/veterans-health-week-focus-social-connection
More Psychiatric Assistance Dogs Providers
On Board
Two new providers – the Royal Society for the Blind of
South Australia and Integra Service Dogs Australia – have
joined the DVA Psychiatric Assistance Dog Program (See
the Integra Service Dogs Australia article written by
former RSM 2 Cdo Regt Ken Lloyd in this edition).
Link: https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-newsveterans/more-psychiatric-assistance-dogs-providersboard
Using Your Veteran Card
Some veterans have had questions about how they
use their new Veteran Card.
Link: https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-newsveterans/using-your-veteran-card
Long Tan Bursary Applications Now Open
On 18 August – Vietnam Veterans’ Day – applications
opened for the 2021 Long Tan Bursary, which awards the
children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans with up to
$12,000 over three years of continuous full-time study.
Applications for the Long Tan Bursary 2021, close 31
October 2020.
Link: https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-newsveterans/long-tan-bursary-applications-now-open
Active Choices: A New Physical Activity Program
If you are based in Brisbane, you may be eligible to
participate in a new 12-week physical activity program.
Link: https://www.dva.gov.au/newsroom/latest-newsveterans/active-choices-new-physical-activity-program
VETERAN ADVOCACY
Compensation Advocates
Veterans who are considering lodging a claim for
Compensation as a result of their service-related
conditions are encouraged to contact a competent
Compensation Advocate to assist you through the
process of Initial Primary Claim Lodgement, Review
and/or Appeals. Veterans and their families who are seek -
ing assistance with Well-being services that are provided
by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, State Govern -
ments and Local Governments are also encouraged to
contact a competent Well-being Advocate. For both
Compensation and Well-being matters, the Advocacy
Training and Development Program (ATDP) provides
information and access to competent Advocates, via the
ATDP Website.
Link: https://web.atdp.org.au/
Commando Welfare Trust
ACA Members and SOCOMD Veterans (Minus SASR)
are reminded that significant support maybe provided
through a range of DVA Entitlements, in addition to the
support from the Commando Welfare Trust (CWT). It is
encouraged that Veterans contact me, in order to seek
information of these Entitlements. Also included are
Concessions available to veterans, particularly those who
have a DVA Gold Card For All Conditions within Australia.
Special Forces Disability Allowance (SFDA)
The matter of Special Forces Disability Allowance
(SFDA) has developed, with positive contact with the RSM
Special Forces Group, WO1 Frank Carey. Veterans who
have been advised by DVA that their SFDA has ceased,
should contact me to further discuss, as there exists a
potential and positive outcome, depending upon the
veteran’s service to SOF, and when the claimable medical
condition was manifest during service in SOF. There are a
number of Legislative conditions to satisfy, prior to
applying for SFDA to be included into MRCA/DRCA
Incapacity Payments. If there are concerns toward the
SFDA component of any Incapacity Payments received
under MRCA or DRCA, please do not hesitate in
contacting me to seek assistance.
Email: aca_vetentitlements@commando.org.au
MEDALLIC RECOGNITION
I continue to receive queries relating to the Australian
Service Medal 75- Clasp CT/SR (ASM CT/SR), particularly
by former ARA Members of 1 Commando Regiment. As
many readers will know, the ASM CT/SR was struck to
recognise ADF members who served in a Tactical Assault
Group (TAG), for up to 60 consecutive days, whilst being
on-call. The Medal is also awarded to Support Staff such
as Signallers and Intelligence Operators who served in a
given SOCCE.
Members of 1 Cdo Regt (RHQ and 126 Sig Sqn) have
been recognised in a Review conducted by SOCOMAUST
(COL Donaghue), of which they provided the Regimental
SOCCE (RSOCCE) Staffing and other Signals and
Intelligence support for Domestic CT and Special
Recovery Operations (SRO) Duties during, for what was
for most, the entirety of their posting to the Regt. The
Report is known as the “Donaghue Report”, dated 27
Aug 2014. Many eligible former members of 1 Cdo Regt
may not be aware that they are eligible for the Medal.
It is encouraged that 1 Cdo Regt members who were
on-call for CT/SRO Duties apply to the Defence
COMMANDO ~ The Magazine of the Australian Commando Association ~ Edition 4 I 2020 21