18th August almost upon us. Have some mates in Vietnam at the moment, lucky bastards :)
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18th August almost upon us. Have some mates in Vietnam at the moment, lucky bastards :)
Media Release
Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC
Sunday 18 August 2013
Vietnam Veterans’ Day 2013
The 47th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan is an opportunity for all Australians, and particularly for Vietnam veterans, their family and friends, to commemorate all battles of and service during the Vietnam War.
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said commemorative ceremonies would take place right across Australia today as Vietnam veterans gathered to commemorate their service for their nation between 1962 and 1972.
“Vietnam Veterans’ Day is the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, a battle in which a vastly outnumbered Australian force held its line in a rubber plantation at Long Tan in Phuoc Tuy province on 18 August 1966,” Senator Ronaldson said.
“Eighteen Australians were killed in action in the battle, and 24 were wounded. The 108 men of D Company, 6 RAR, who held off an enemy force between 10 and 15 times as large were awarded a United States Presidential Citation for their efforts.
“While 18 August will always be the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, it is also an occasion to remember the other iconic battles of the Vietnam War.
“As a nation, we must never forget the service and sacrifice of those almost 60,000 Australians who served in the Vietnam War, serving their nation at the nation’s request.
“Our nation must also resolve never to repeat the mistakes of the past, particularly the egregious treatment of Vietnam veterans upon their return to Australia.
“Our Vietnam veterans continue to carry the burdens of their service. They are a remarkable generation of men who, together with their families, have fought hard to ensure that their service is never forgotten,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Senator Ronaldson said he would today attend the Vietnam Veterans’ Day ceremony at the national Vietnam War memorial in Canberra, before visiting the St Marys RSL in Western Sydney.
“I look forward to spending time today with Vietnam Veterans, to hear their stories, to share their camaraderie, and to honour their service and that of the 521 Australians who made the supreme sacrifice,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Media Contact: Robert Hardie 0418 432 909
Health risks in Afghanistan veterans are exaggerated, new Defence-sponsored research says
•Ian McPhedran National Defence Writer News Limited Network
THE risk of a "tsunami" of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder victims from the war in Afghanistan has been downplayed in new Defence-sponsored research.
The Prospective Health Study of troops deployed in 2010/11 found that just 1.9 per cent of participants exhibited symptoms of PTSD following their deployment.
Some experts have warned of rates of 10 per cent or more.
Academics and the top brass briefed the media on the findings but were unable to explain the incredibly low rates of PTSD in Afghan veterans compared with previous campaigns.
In addition the latest surveys found that:
*4.8 per cent of troops surveyed after their deployment reported symptoms of psychological distress.
*Just one per cent of soldiers at pre-deployment and 2.5 per cent post-deployment reported symptoms of an alcohol disorder.
The survey also discovered that 11.1 per cent of troops were obese before they deployed and 14.9 per cent came home in an obese state after months eating fried food, ice cream and sweet snacks.
Defence Force Chief General David Hurley labelled warnings of a "tsunami" of PTSD affecting modern-day veterans as simplistic and emotive.
"If we're reinforcing this by saying there's a tidal wave the system can't handle and you're going to be out there and you're going to drown, that's not the place we should be positioning people if our data does not support that," General Hurley said.
"We know there are individuals who suffer. But if we extrapolate from the ones and twos and say this is the experience of the whole, then I don't think the data supports that."
Professor Ross Young, from the faculty of health at Queensland University of Technology, said the rate of PTSD among Vietnam Veterans was above 20 per cent and in the civilian community it was 3.4 per cent.
"American forces coming back from Afghanistan had PTSD rates of 21 per cent,'' he said.
Professor Young said he could not explain the differences between these figures and the ADF survey results, but monitoring troops after they returned home would be vital.
Tens of thousands of Australian soldiers have served in trouble spots from East Timor in 1999 to Afghanistan today.
The 26,239 veterans from the Middle East Area of Operations, including Afghanistan, were asked to respond to surveys by a team of academics from the University of Queensland Centre for Military and Veterans Health and the University of Adelaide who are trying to predict the risk of psychological problems for veterans in the future.
Military surveys are notoriously unreliable and it is unlikely that many special-forces troops, who have undertaken the bulk of the heavy fighting in Afghanistan, would have even responded.
The surveys confirmed that combat roles or operating outside the main support base were associated with small increases in psychological symptoms following deployments.
They also found that changes to the nervous system and cognitive function were affected by the number and length of deployments.
The academics were unable to estimate the health costs of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, but they pointed out that the United States has an estimated health cost of $900 billion.
Even one per cent of that is $9 billion.
Meanwhile, Defence announced that iconic Australian bootmaker RM Williams will supply parade boots to the Army.
The previous Chinese made lace-up patent leather boots fell apart during parades causing acute embarrassment to the top brass.
KEY FINDINGS OF THE ADF MIDDLE EAST PROSPECTIVE HEALTH STUDY
1. Combat exposure or operating resulted in increases in psychological symptoms at post-deployment compared to pre-deployment in the same individuals.
2. Prior trauma exposure and other lifetime experiences were significantly associated with psychological damage after deployment. Therefore an increasing burden of risk is acquired progressively across deployments.
3. The number of previous deployments and time away on previous deployments were significantly associated with changes in cognitive functioning, and increased arousal and decreased working memory efficiency.
4. Despite the environments in which these troops were deployed, in general there were low rates of physical illness and disease evident at the post deployment. Indeed, the health of a small number of participants improved between pre-and post-deployment.
OTHER FINDINGS
* 2.5 per cent of the participants at pre-deployment and 4.8 per cent at post-deployment reported psychological distress.
* 0.1 per cent of before and 1.9 per cent after reported post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
* 1.0 per cent before and 2.5 per cent after reported an alcohol disorder.
* 0.7 per cent before and 1.6 per cent after reported suicidal thoughts.
* 11.1 per cent before and 14.9 per cent after were obese.
* 1.1 per cent before and 1.6 per cent after had hypertension.
Read more: http://www.news.com.au/national-news...#ixzz2cMpWMFO2
Regards,
RLI
thats a very disturbing report RLI...
G'day mate,Quote:
Originally Posted by rusty_nail
It surly is!
My mission in life at present, is to look after as many Veterans and their families as i can and also fight for the rights of all current and ex-service personal, whether they have operational or non-operational service.
Has stated by Rudyard Kipling, "making mock of uniforms that guard you while you sleep" (Kipling, Tommy), and my personal phrase that best describes our defence force: "I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it." – Aaron Sorkin (A Few Good Men)
Regards,
RLI
G'day fellow ex and current serving members of our fantastic defence force!
Please remember this statement! I was shocked to here this came from our Prime Minster!
Regards,
RLI
Media Release
Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC
Wednesday 21 August 2013
Kevin Rudd must respond to allegations that he threatened our military veterans
Kevin Rudd must immediately respond to disturbing claims made on radio this morning that he threatened veterans during a meeting in Canberra six weeks ago.
According to an interview on 4BC radio earlier today, Mr Rudd is alleged to have told veterans that any criticism of Labor’s 11th hour, half-baked unfair military superannuation indexation policy would result in them getting ‘nothing’.
Respected national spokesman for the Fair Go campaign, Air Vice Marshal Peter Criss (Ret’d) told 4BC Brisbane this morning that Mr Rudd said:
“Don’t bag us. Because if you bag us, we’ll pull up the drawbridge and you’ll get nothing.”
Mr Rudd needs to explain urgently whether he made such threatening and disrespectful remarks to Australia’s military veterans who have selflessly put their lives on the line in the service of their country.
Media Contact: Robert Hardie 0418 432 909
It would not surprise me Paul. That idiot Mike Kelly is also talking climate change - he said our snowy mountains will turn into a desert! What part of outer space does he reside in. Heaven help us if he gets the defence minister job!!!
What sex is the kangaroo on the skippy badge?
The milky bar kid has no idea. What a muppet !
Now he takes the cake, what an idiot. Politicians say some stupid sh#t but geez !!!Quote:
Originally Posted by NP99
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-2...ropped/4912120
$60 million dollars worth of damage and another $60 million to rebuild and yet military pensions get ignored...........
G'day mate,Quote:
Originally Posted by NP99
I do not have a clue, go a head and shock me. lol
Regards,
RLI
G'day Drew,Quote:
Originally Posted by Drew
Well stated mate!
PS, i wounder if i will get another PM from a disgruntled "civvie" forum member who does not like me talking politics in this thread!
Regards,
RLI
Well stated mate!Quote:
Originally Posted by NP99
Regards,
Paul
G'day fellow warriors!
A Special forces friend sent me this, enjoy!
COPPER COATED MICROCHIP IMPLANT ALLOWS TERRORISTS TO SPEAK TO GOD
The implant is specifically designed to be injected in the forehead. When properly installed, it will instantly allow the terrorist to speak to God.
It comes in various sizes: Generally from .223 to .50 cal.
The exact size of the implant will be selected by a well-trained and highly skilled technician, who will also make the injection. No Anesthetic is required. The implant is likely to be painless. Side effects, like headaches, nausea, aches or pains are extremely temporary. Some bleeding or swelling may occur at the injection site. In most cases, you won't even notice it!
PS, The good lord does the forgiving, It is the Australian Special Forces job to arrange the meetings!
Regards,
RLI
PMSL no no really I think I did just p!ss3d myself laughingQuote:
Originally Posted by RLI
I'm up for informed decision making for whatever it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by RLI
The fact of the matter that unless you have made that commitment you will never fully understand the sacrifices service men and women and indeed their families (& friends) make every day to give those same people the freedom to send you PM's.
Veterans & their families have unique issues that face them which require special consideration, hence the reason for discussion.
I've watched my father struggle to this very day with PTSD from the Vietnam era and I consider myself lucky because he's still with us, many aren't. So if discussions about what politicians are going to do for these people offends, then don't read them.
Please don't PM me on this as me ignoring it may offend :)
Rant over, stepping down off soap box :)
Female. PM sent :)Quote:
Originally Posted by RLI
5 years now in Darwin or is it 6:( SGT Infantry.
G'day rafa,Quote:
Originally Posted by rafa
Good onya mate, congrats on your service.
PS, which Battalion are you serving with?
Regards,
RLI
Media Release
Senator the Hon Michael Ronaldson
Shadow Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Centenary of ANZAC
Friday 6 September 2013
Labor snubs veterans
Kevin Rudd and the Labor Party have snubbed veterans and their families by failing to release a policy for Veterans’ Affairs less than 24 hours before the election.
Labor’s policy free zone comes just weeks after it was revealed the Prime Minister allegedly threatened veterans, saying: “Don’t bag us. Because if you bag us, we’ll pull up the drawbridge and you’ll get nothing.”
Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Senator the Hon. Michael Ronaldson, said after ignoring veterans for the past three years, Labor had failed to deliver a formal policy not just for veterans and their families, but also for Defence.
“Labor has effectively abandoned 300,000 ex-service men and women and tens of thousands of current serving personnel, and their families,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Senator Ronaldson said Kevin Rudd, Warren Snowdon and Labor had no vision and no plan for veterans or for Defence.
“Labor doesn’t deserve to be re-elected if the best they can offer veterans is a half-baked and unfair indexation policy for DFRB and DFRDB superannuants aged 65 and over,” Mr Ronaldson said.
“Only the Coalition has a fair indexation policy for DFRB and DFRDB military superannuants aged 55 – a policy that includes indexation by MTAWE is fully funded and fully costed.
“Only the Coalition has a fully-costed Defence plan for the future.
“Only the Coalition is prepared to restore veterans’ advocacy and welfare funding to support the work of volunteer veterans in the community.
“Only the Coalition has a plan to better recognise the partners and carers of veterans, and we are the only Party with a comprehensive plan to properly honour and commemorate the Centenary of Anzac.
“Not only has Labor failed to release policies for the Veterans Affairs and Defence portfolios, but both Ministers have been missing in action this campaign.
“The Labor Party should be ashamed for this appalling snub to veterans, serving personnel and their families,” Senator Ronaldson said.
Media Contact: Robert Hardie 0418 432 909
Today is payback for them. I can hardly wait for the good news tonight. I'm guessing it will be called early :)
As a member of defence I can't make any public political views, but why would I need to with a fine example of a pm we have ATM? Looking forward to tonight!
Vote today and vote often :)
or just don't vote at all :)Quote:
Originally Posted by NP99
Labour farks people over, Liberal farks people over, regardless of who is in power they will promise you one thing and screw you over once there in
I don't care and that is my right :)
If you don't vote, you have no right to complain about who gets in.
To complain there is no suitable candidate, but then not care enough to encourage/be a better option, is not helping anyone.
I received a letter or three from the local Labor member explaining all the things that defence benefitted from. (why did I get it?) The connection that was not explicitly stated, but the one people were supposed to make was that Labor had done all these things.
It didn't mention the budget cuts though.
I wasn't complaining just making a point that they will all screw you overQuote:
Originally Posted by P4trol
And voting doesn't help anyone either
It's called 'politics' for a reason...
But by voting, you get a chance to 'keep the bastards honest'. It is really our best way to have a say. They're all afraid of getting voted out.
A big company I know has someone to monitor phone bills for 'non work use' (sms to enter competitions etc). That is the sole job for one person. The other year $30,000 was recovered. Probably less than this persons' wage. The point is, the amount of non work calls would be a humongous amount higher without this one person.
Yes they screw us over, but not as much as if no one threatened to vote them out.
Plenty of reason to vote for the party you best see able to lead Australia.
Let's all get off the politics please, forum policy remember
Getting voted out screws their pension......Quote:
Originally Posted by P4trol
Lets see if promises are kept for our pensions this time!
Sorry people. You are right. It's a quick way to get ex friends. (and I should really read the forum policy.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dogman
Damn, that's how I get rid of a few, thanks for the tip :)Quote:
Originally Posted by P4trol
Lol still here.
Here's hoping today's results benefit all you defence people out there.
Mate it has :)Quote:
Originally Posted by P4trol
G'day Doggie,Quote:
Originally Posted by The Dogman
Wheres your "Bromance" mate, (a close non-sexual relationship between two (or more) men, a form of affectional or homosocial intimacy) and it has nothing to do with being sunk to the nuts either. lol
Regards,
RLI
I feel better now :)
http://mates4mates.org/our-mates/brave-mates/
When you're having a bad day, think of these guys........
Here's an interesting watch. I'm not sure if it really belongs in this thread, but I'm not entirely sure it's off topic. Defence is all about protecting Australia and our freedoms. This video explains how it is under threat from a direction other than violence and war.
30mins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVPn...e_gdata_player
Thanks for posting mate, great info vid. Let's get the pollies to act on the labelling laws. Our money is supporting the enemy!Quote:
Originally Posted by P4trol
G'day SNAKEMAN!Quote:
Originally Posted by NP99
Share us with info Sir!
Regards,
Paul