Kipp, the mere fact of existence does not entitle anyone to "respect", at least not from me it doesn't.

If you, this cadet, or anyone else want my respect, earn it. It is not bestowed indiscriminately, as you appear to think it should be.

If you behave as this cadet, & her co-star have, you'll have a really hard job, from such a starting point, gaining mine.

I respect you as a fellow human being, but not for your derogatory comments towards others who are not in a position to respond.

In that case Kipp, you should condemn Smith for denigrating an officer who is prevented by his position from defending himself.

This officer fulfilled his duty as required by military law. We then have a "B" grade politician, who obviously doesn't understand military law, despite his position, decides to do a bit for the women's vote, & makes as fool of himself.

Worse he is still making an ass of himself by being churlish in the extreme. The man is unfortunately not enough to apologise for his fool mistake.

While Smith's intentions were good, he essentially pilloried and hung out to dry one of the most respected members of the defence, to gain political capital in the media, and subsequently was shown to have over reacted.

That no one presently employed in the defence force is in a position to comment means that it is left to the retired members who without exception have indicated that Smith is despised by most in charge of the defence force.

Even given Gary Brown's indication that things need to change in the defence force, Smith has handled it so badly that his ability to handle his portfolio is severely compromised.

Perhaps he should have the foreign affairs ministry considering that Carr is stuffing it up royally.

The ADF need to be reminded they are the employees of the Australia Taxpayer, and not above the same rules and moral standards the Australian taxpayer must respect.

Yes Kipp, the DOD sometimes forgets who it is working for and has always been in danger of being a law unto themselves. As for the DMO, it should have been scuttled years ago, the waste and poor decision making in that arena is enough to make any Defence Minister stay awake at night.

It is a courageous politician who would go up against an embedded culture but it takes a courageous politician - even if Sir Humphrey would be turning in his grave at the thought.