The rainbow, the cross and the crescent clash in the Australian Defence Force

·         The Australian Army released cuff-links and lapel pins with the Rising Sun on a rainbow backdrop, clearly breaching ADF policy forbidding the promotion of one form of sexuality over another.

Consequently, I submitted internal complaints detailing how ADF policy has been breached or inconsistently applied based on sexual orientation. These complaints were either dismissed, or disciplinary or administrative action was brought against me. As a result of this and the ADF’s public attack on my religious and political beliefs, I have been left with no option but to defend myself publicly. 

The community feedback that I have received shows that there is great concern about the direction of the Australian military. Parents have told me that they will no longer allow their children to join. This is concerning and should worry Defence hierarchy. The CDF himself acknowledged that recruitment is an issue when he issued my Termination Notice. However, he laid the blame for that at my feet, and ignored the disdain that many ordinary Australians feel for Defence’s recent policy changes permitting sex-change operations, front-line military service for females and homosexual political activity. Others can judge whether he is shooting the messenger.

Tthese sentiments are also reflected in comments from other serving personnel, some of them very senior soldiers. There is a growing sense of unease within the ranks. The recent finding that Defence morale is at its lowest level since surveys began in 2006 probably reflects much weariness from a decade in Afghanistan. But it is impossible to identify precisely what impact social engineering has had because the ADF will not ask soldiers for their opinion on these issues. Meanwhile surveys are organised to see if changes to Mess Dress are supported.

I might be the first officer to have my commission terminated for expressing views at odds with Defence’s homosexual lobby. But if I am, I also won’t be the last. That might make some feel good, but it will lower public support for the military, hurt recruitment and reduce the ADF’s intellectual capability to wage war. This is not in Australia’s interests.