About 10 years ago, while I was studying my radio degree, I spent quite a bit of time with a group of old soldiers. In their day, they’d been fairly high-ranking members of the Australian Defence Force – their ranks were colonel or higher. 

Too a man, they were all critical of our defence forces. Not so much the Government’s role and they certainly weren’t critical of the frontline troops. No, their fury was with people of their own rank – the “red hats” as they called them. Their assessment was that they were more interested in furthering their careers than looking after their subordinates.

Sadly, it appears they were right with Australia’s most decorated soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith echoing their sentiments – but he’s gone one further. He says he would recommend against young men and women joining the defence force.

What a sad indictment on our military that a man who gave his life to it, and in the most heroic manner winning our highest decoration for valour, now says, don’t join.

Former SAS Corporal Roberts-Smith has been treated appallingly. A hero in the truest sense of the word has been smeared as a war criminal. 

He’s called for the top brass to be sacked saying they should be leading our military in way that the men and women who are serving this country deserve.

Hear hear. 

We used to have great military leaders in this country. Sadly, the current batch have caught the same disease as our political leaders.