Gibo,
Mate 40 years ago was along time ago.
Im recently retired from the ARMY and I can assure you that bastardisation is not tolerated within the Army.

Not to say it doesnt still happen, but it is not tolerated. The beatings of recruits is long gone just does not happen anymore.

The new touchy feely defence force we have today is a long cry from where it was in the 60's and I would say for the worse. When you have to go to a battle field as I have done you need to know that the guy beside you is not going to crap himself and cry like a baby at the first shot going over your head.

There has been a huge shift in defence attitude to behaviour since 2000. There is a 1800 number you can call to blow the whistle, coucillors Padres you name it its there.

There is no more of the living in sardine cans on barracks of years gone by. We now have modern units on base for new guys and DHA and rental assistance as well as an attractive house ownership scheme to the tune of $28000 for members to buy a house with or without families.

Gibo I find your comments startling and to be honest quite offensive.
You have obviously had a bad time in the ADF. I would say that has more to do with you than the ADF. Some people just should never have been allowed into the ADF for starters. They seem to attract bad behaviour.

Valuable training tools have been lost with the advent of a touchy feely ADF. You call us thugs. Shame on you Gibo shame shame shame.

You are not welcome to come to ANZAC day so just stay away.

Well tell it to the ongoing victims Scotty. They still appear in the newspapers and they are not lying especially the women who suffer because of the men. I would want a signed agreement if my boy was going in that he wont get bastardised. Parents should insist. Both the PM and men like Cosgrove are the guilty ones in this. The larrikin/hoodlum behaviour of servicemen has to be elliminated. Sorry son you come across as full of service progaganda.

A countries armed services is a mirror of its society.

In all the examples you gave all I can say is so bloody what.

Young blokes letting off a bit of steam.

Get a life.

It's not often I say it, but I Gotta agree with scotty there gibo. I know a few people in the armed forces, and yeah, there's some of the mischief you describe, but it's nowhere near as bad as what you've outlined, at least, not today.

As far as bastardisation goes, I'm sure there's a prophecy out there somewhere telling you how it'll pan out anyway, right?
Can't you just look into the future and see if your son would be okay?

My biggest concern is that these attitudes and actions we have been recording here.. are symptomatic of a deeper crisis of values in society as a whole.

Going from our 60s experiences to 'touchy feely' is also not a great step.

I saw a doco where the Sth Korean officers and NCO's have to 'persuade' the privates to do things.. Such an army will never win a war.

I don't know what others think of our tryst in Afghanistan, but my guess is that a big part of the Army thinking is to toughen up the blokes for what will come.

If we had an army without combat readiness we'd be in deep poo.

The heads of the armed forces have a duty of care under their office to enforce the rules of the armed forces or I think they can be held personally liable. Under duty of care you can prosecute the organisation, the Government, the Officers and the people for criminal actiivity against individuals or groups of individuals.

Bastardisation is common assault and is therefore illegal under the defense force laws. If it is occurring still - report it to a non-defense force department like the Federal Police, go see a lawyer and get the media involved.

This outrageous activity (whenever it occurs) must be stopped and it seems like in most things it will not be stopped until groups of ex-servicemen and women go to a solicitor like Slater & Gordon and commence a class action against the armed forces for turning a blind eye to common assault.

Scotty - does someone telling their sad story and it offending you mean you probably need re-education regarding bullying, justice and it's enforcement by superiors? What rank are you and have you taken part in this rough-housing of colleagues at any time? Are you blaming the victim?

Mutual respect is what is needed in the Armed Services - your duty is far too important for it to be lowered in the eyes of the community by stupidity and assaulting of fellow soldiers.

If the armed forces are embarrassed by these revelations fix the problem... you owe it to your uniform