Subscriber Andrew writes:


I note a couple of readers have been most energetic in asserting that defence
force alcohol in Australia is subject to all normal taxes. This may well be
the case, but with beers going for $1.30 for a schooner at some defence
messes, the taxpayer is paying one helluva subsidy.

An anonymous subscriber writes:
I am a young RAN officer who
recently completed my first sea trip. In respect to the alcohol abuse problems
that you are currently describing I can give you a small insight. The first
official task that I completed onboard was Operation Safe Spirit, where all
personnel (yes, all 170 odd of us) had to blow in the bag before we left port.
If you blew over the limit or missed the test you got charged. We were warned
that this would take place prior to leaving, therefore all personnel would have
to limit any drinking in the 24 hour period prior to sailing. Meanwhile, at sea, officers
are forbidden from drinking and other ranks are permitted a beer ration of 2
beers per day – consumed under supervision. To this wide-eyed youngster, the
Navy’s stance on alcohol was made patently clear – alcoholism will not be
tolerated. If this is poor policy with respect to alcohol, I’m not sure what else
the Navy should do, but I am sure that someone with a better opinion than me
will tell us.


An unnamed subscriber writes:

What Mike Burke wrote is correct. However, let’s see if we can unconflate (if
there is such a word) two issues. One is drinking policies: There always have
been “machismo” problems (including drinking) in the services – it comes with
the territory. However, any commanding officer who doesn’t ensure that there
is no coercion (including informal) and no bullying etc in his or her unit
will be disciplined or otherwise dealt with (and that does
happen).

The other issue is compensation for injury while on duty. Like
it or not, participation in Mess Dinners etc is an expected part of
an officer’s or senior NCO’s job – amongst other things, it is very
good training for active duty (eg for when discussing business
over afternoon tea with Iraqi officials). Dunno where this is written
down, if at all, but it is my and others’ understanding that for good
reason, participation in Mess activities is regarded for compensation
purposes

as being part of the job description. This may explain a High
Court “decision” which has not yet been given.

Anyone with a little
time on their hands would find amusing, as well as informative, the
word-by-word transcript of the High Court’s consideration of leave to appeal
in what appears to be this case, by reading Roncevich v Repatriation
Commission [2005] HCA Trans 208 (21 April 2005) by – for example – going to
www.austlii.edu.au and typing in

the search terms “roncevich high court.”

An anonymous subscriber writes:
Mike Burke must either be delusional or have had exposure to a
defence force other than the ADF. After considerable work experience
outside the defence forces, including with several police agencies, I
joined the Navy as a reserve officer in 1999. Now, the police can drink,
but what I witnessed during officer training with the RAN was
absolutely breathtaking. Not only is alcohol freely available, but it
is such an inherent part of Navy officer life that success in the RAN
almost certainly depends upon the ability to consume it. On several
occasions during initial training, alcohol was supplied free of charge
with dinner, but it wouldn’t really have made much difference if it
wasn’t given the ridiculously low prices at which it could be purchased.
I distinctly recall heading out to the officers’ mess (the Wardroom)
for drinks, only to return to my room (cabin) several hours and many,
many drinks later with change from a $20 note – since drinks were available for
as little as 30 cents!

Given the promotion system operating in the RAN (who you know makes all the
difference), junior officers are left with little choice than to make
connections with senior officers through regular and sustained appearances at
the various Wardrooms around the country. Mike is correct in one respect; other professions/trades/industries do indeed
consume alcohol, but having also experienced a few other professional groups
first hand, comparing any of them to the defence forces is like comparing the
size of an ant to that of an elephant. The Navy culture fosters and encourages regular drinking, not just in the
form of social interaction, but as an inherent part of moving through the ranks.
To suggest otherwise beggars belief. The High Court was absolutely spot-on with its decision.

An anonymous subscriber writes:

I’d like to echo Mike Burke’s comments from
Friday. I have been a serving member of the Army since 1985. I’m
now relatively senior, and think I’ve seen a few things, including two overseas
operational tours and postings to all major Army training establishments, and a
variety of front line, and support units. Yes, the ADF has something of a
drinking culture, but it’s a lot less pervasive and harmful than the drinking
culture I experienced as a University student, various civilian sporting clubs
or in my prior civilian employment. A crucial difference with the ADF is that
under the Defence Force Discipline Act, we can and do bring legal consequences
against members for their drinking behaviour if it develops into a
problem. Believe me, I have seen it done and it is not uncommon. We also have
excellent educational and support structures for members generally, and this
includes substance use issues.

The reality is that the vast majority of ADF
members use alcohol a lot more sensibly than is average in this country. It’s
also a reality that people, whatever their employment or background, will
sometimes use alcohol stupidly – most of us have done that, and probably
occasionally still do. That’s not a function of being in the military, or any
other job – that’s a function of being young, wishing we still were, or just
plain getting carried away. I’d also like to respond to the person who was an
ADFA Cadet in 1987, and talked about the drinking and games culture then. That
was 18 years ago folks! A lot has changed in that time, and not just the colour
of my hair.

As to the unfortunate gentleman who tumbled off the
balcony – the reality is that he may well have been on duty. According to your
story he was attending an authorised function (from memory in honour of a
departing member). Such functions are common and a regular and important
feature of military life, particularly for members of the Officers’ and Sergeants’
Messes. It is just another part of a lifestyle, which places unusual and
frequently strenuous demands on members and their families. Most workplaces
have social functions of various kinds, and in the military they are generally quite
structured. And while drinking is a feature of them, drinking to excess is
certainly not welcomed. Most attendees drink very responsibly anyway, if for no
other reason that they still have to get home afterward. This particular dinner
may have been a formal dining “in night,” in which case it could well have been
a Commanding Officer’s place of Parade, and attendance may have been compulsory
(although this is comparatively rare now). This function was conducted in a
military facility, if it was a formal dining in, the attendees would have been
wearing uniform (mess dress). At the very least, the dress standard would have
been lounge suit.

It was not an end of week piss-up at a corner
pub. What I am puzzled about is why the Commonwealth
attempted to weasel out of its obligations to this service member by denying
liability under the compensation provisions relating to service members.
Unfortunately we are starting to see this kind of thing more often these days,
and usually relating to quite legitimate circumstances. Now there is a story
worth investigating.