They need to know how to kill. That takes priority

Spot

He doesnt even defend his position because his religion says we are all sinners and deserve to die and he will get a new earth when its over

Spot

It's not their job.

Australia's defence forces are decreed to be "on duty" 364/365 days a year, 24 hours a day.  Leave is a privilege, not a right.

The reason why it has taken so long to act is because well, it hasn't.  The ADF has been in action from early on in the NSW bushfire emergency providing logistic support with over a thousand diggers.   That has now been extended to Victoria.

The ADF is in line to provide logistics support and air and naval support.

The ADF is not trained to fight fires, except for a small core of firefighters who handle fires on the ADF's ranges.   When I served, back in 1983 during the Ash Wednesday fires, the ADF was called out.  I drove a water tanker.  The South Australian CFS however didn't want us helping them and so most diggers sat on their arses beside the road waiting on a decision.  They ended up going back to barracks.  The Brigadier wasn't happy about that and made some loud noises.  He was politely ignored.  I doubt much would have changed since then... 

cods wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 9:52am:



They are not trained to fight fires because fighting fires is not seen as their primary duty, Cods.

When you are prepared to have diggers learning how to fight fires, rather than learning how to defend you and your property from overseas attackers, get back to us, OK?

You can have one or the t'other, not both.  Simples really.

Diggers can be taught how to fight spot fires and tidy up after the firefront has passed, putting out smouldering logs, etc.   They are not though.   The civilian fire services don't have the money to devote to training them.   

rhino wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 11:03am:


And your experience in the military consists of, what, exactly, Rhino?   

Yes, there are some people like that there but the majority of soldiers/sailors/airmen are paid to think and think they do.   People who merely obey orders do not go far in the ADF. 

cods wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 7:31am:

I can only speak for Navy Cods but, we all undergo regular firefighting training to the extent of containing a fire on a ship or submarine however, that training is not really extendable to the huge firestorms that we are seeing at the moment.      Whilst there have been members ot the armed forces on the ground for some time assisting where they can, it comes down to a few other reasons including, who would fill the gap left by defence assets if a military threat comes up and, who pays for what is a. non defence requirement.

Believe it or not, everything is costed in defence down to the last slice of bread and all that becomes the defence budget for the year.    When something comes up like this, Defence - if you like - provide "a quote" for services and the Government provides the money from another source.   I have worked in a number of System Program Offices (SPOs) where each element of our program has the annual cost for fuel, maintenance, alongside costs etc built into that ship's monetary budget for the year.  All is good until Cyclone Larry hits and now we are looking at extra fuel, extra stores, extra everything and the defence Budget just doesn't stretch to that.  So, it becomes a piddling contest between Ministers to find the money to augment defence.    It is indeed an eye opening experience.   

You will find that most of the defence force are itching to get in there and help, but they can only move when the Defence Minister tells the Chief of defence they can go

Vic wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 12:19pm:


yes yes I understand that my son in law is a reserve in the RAAF .. but these guys are just hankering for real life action... pretend war games are ok  I know they are essential  but this would only add to their experience .. its vital to this country    that we have a group of men fully trained .. I am talking about ELITE.. not just dropping water from the sky......which at the end of the day doesnt seem to be doing much... ... this is a crisis for all of us....just the same as being under attack from another country...

these firies can only keep going for so long.....if they get tired they get sloppy its dangerous ... our men in the trenches are trained to be resilient and strong under all conditions.... personally i think its a waste we dont use them to their full potential...


what do you think vic?.. am I over expecting things..

The ADF has finally been given the kick up the backside they deserve and are moving in to help out instead of being on standby for the fast 4 months sitting in their barracks shining the eyelets of their boots and starching their uniforms.

cods wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 4:08pm:

Well they are going in, have they suddenly been trained up? they have a hell of a lot of resources at hand including manpower, better late then never.

Johnnie wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 4:12pm:



not really   logistics moving people out of danger....and helicopters dropping water.....and \bravo to them......sorry mate i think theres a little more to actually fighting fires...

cods wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 4:16pm:



i'm sure there are, as there would be members of the armed services, serving or othwerwise. The point is, teachers aren't trained to fight bushfires and neither are soldiers.

Send Sarah Hanson-Young  to help. She could scare the fires out with her face.

Johnnie wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 4:12pm:


better late than never is all bullsh1t

They have been there for months doing logistic roles as that is what they are trained to do.

John Smith wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 4:18pm:



I KNOW THAT PET... READ THE OP....

do you think our armed services should be trained   we are not at WAR with another country   but we are at WAR with the elements...

I am just saynig   why NOT TRAIN THEM>>

whats wrong with them being trained????????????????????????????

John Smith wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 4:21pm:


\
john I am talking about the future... this will happen time and time again.....take a good look at us...

we live in a country THAT IS BUSH FIRE PRONE.....yet we are losing the war...we do not have the man power to beat this bloody monster....


we have to do better... if you can come up with a better idea lets hear it...your totally negative about my idea i get that... so come up with something better??????

cods wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 5:08pm:




why not give some of the unemployed a job? I'm sure there would be many takers. Hire and train professional firefighters, not soldiers playing at firefighters. It would be a lot safer for everyone involved.

There have been to many budget cuts to the fire services. It needs to be reversed and increased so the firies can do their jobs properly.

I can't believe that after all these years, we still hire fire fighting planes from Canada ... every single year. And have been for over a decade. It's ridiculous.

John Smith wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 5:09pm:



makes sense to some...

cods wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 5:16pm:



no they're not, they work for schools, which in turn work for state education departments. They're all employees of the qld dept of education, or NSW dept of education etc. Just like soldiers train in individual roles to serve individual platoons (or whatever they call them) who in turn work for the different arms of the defense forces.

Brian Ross wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 5:17pm:



he has already had that explained to him.....

how do you feel about our defence forces being trained in fire fighting  bri?....do you think that would work or be a complete waste of time?.

cods wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 5:36pm:


I wasn't talking about the VOLUNTEER FIRIES but the unemployed lot who are on welfare and want to be "rewarded" to volunteer for anything.

Dwayne wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 5:46pm:



how do you know the volunteer firies are not made up of UNEMPLOYED PERSONS...... a retired person is also unemployed..

Johnnie wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 6:01pm:



good but it doesnt mention training does it for the FUTURE>

Johnnie wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 6:22pm:



thank you..... no trained by the BIG GUNS.... even world authorities  although we really should be world leaders in this type of emergency....instead we appear to be all over the place...... to see time and time again lives taken and homes destroyed is incredible...and god knows what animal life has gone.....binging in the heavy artillery  after the deed  isnt good enough....these fires need to be fought on every front..at the same time and our defence men and women are already well trained for that.....they just need the details and know how........I am glad you agree...

cods wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2020 at 6:15am:

Good on em, they will be heroes on and off the battlefield now, and not a minute too soon.

Gordon wrote on Jan 1^st, 2020 at 7:57am:


If it's 'not their job' why do they go to disaster areas in other countries to help them?

Illogical.....

Mr Hammer wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2020 at 1:10pm:

There is a natural cycle, if climate change had anything to do with it then it just happened sooner rather than later, even .02° rise in temperatures will give an earlier ignition.

We can't clear all the undergrowth or all the critters will die. Clear the ground around properties and stand back.

Difficulty understanding the premise behind that post do you moron?

Bushfires relief arrives in Mallacoota as navy ship awaits evacuation process   

cods wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2020 at 3:43pm:


A helicopter would await madam... 

The ADF to the rescue, now we can all sleep a little easier tonight, the Brigadier said they were only to happy to help out, now all the public servants should get on board, except for the fat ones and get out there.

thats a relief.....I thought I might get thrown over a suitable studs shoulder.....and all my lycra sportswear is at the cleaners.....which burnt to the ground......it could have had drastic consequences...

I know!!  I dont think even our ADF  is trained for that...

XdBrian Ross wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2020 at 8:55pm:


Thanks, Ace.

Can you explain how, Pecker?

Incompetent? He ain't Robinson Crusoe in Canberra. As far as crimes are concerned, what would they be?

miketrees wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2020 at 7:57pm:


The Indian-Pacific railway still exists.  The planes are still flying.  The fires will burn themselves out well before a new road is required. 

greggerypeccary wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2020 at 1:22pm:

Far worse and for more dangerous than incompetent is a Prime Minister using machiavellian cunning to achieve his ends. Made even more scary by him believing God is on his side. My chosen adjectives are deluded, sly, opportunistic and evil.

However, we need to avoid venting our frustrations and horror on him alone. There’s a cabinet loaded with raving lunatics just now salivating at the prospect of replacing him. I’m no believer in prayer but suggest those who are get down on their knees and pray Herr Dutton doesn’t replace the fool who speaks in tongues.

But who knows, Saint Julie Bishop might yet ride back into Canberra riding a white horse wearing her best bright red stilettos and save us all.

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 7^th, 2020 at 1:28pm:


Nope.  Il Duce' Dutton is a typical ex-Queensland Copper - dangerous as a cut snake and as difficult to manage. 

sad lot really   they all come out to whinge and criticise ..


but send out a little  praise .. and not a soul in sight..
I take that as how lefties feel  about the involvement of our ADF... not impressed not interested.....




sad init?

very amusing    still no comment on our fire fighting men and women.....ho hum....

well a pat on the back at times like this  is maybe all they will get...I dont know what you have done or are able to do  right now to help.. I am not in a great position to do much  other than say thanks...and cheer them on...

does that offend you??..

I am curious!

Brian Ross wrote on Jan 11^th, 2020 at 3:55pm:



wont it get up your nose if Abbott gets a medal... I am sure a few medals will be out there and rightly so...would I put myself in the  line of fire.. NO  and I bet you wouldnt either..  John Smith wrote on Jan 11^th, 2020 at 3:55pm:



why would I pray for something so stooooopid.??

Brian Ross wrote on Jan 11^th, 2020 at 4:32pm:

really WHERE HAVE I EVER CRITICISED A MEDAL??

please dont make up things about me   one think I hate.....

btw HE DID STOP THE BOATS>. or would you rather they were still coming?????


he didnt deny CLIMATE CHANGE neither do I... its just the reasons for it we havent been sold on....

tell me! someone cant think where suggested we "deniers" as you call us are the reason for these fires.

I am wondering if we all suddenly said YES HUMANS ARE RESPONSIBLE    would that reverse CLIMATE CHANGE??????

if we stopped selling coal  lets say back in gillards time...


what effect would that have on this?  would you believe we wouldnt be having these fires????

btw Australia isnt the only country that sells coal..

Defence Force Chief Angus Campbell warns bushfire crisis could worsen while praising military's 'comforting' response

Brian Ross wrote on Jan 11^th, 2020 at 7:19pm:

what does that have to do with CLIMATE CHANGE?..

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 12^th, 2020 at 8:18am:



i dont seriously think you read your own links..

Quote:





  they are BURNING NOTHING>>

when are you going to criticised the countries that BUY our coal and BURN IT>.



or is it safer to put all the blame on Australia???

because it sure as hell looks that way!

Sir Spot of Borg wrote on Jan 12^th, 2020 at 8:56am:



spot look at the demonstration we are having even today    yes they do BLAME AUSTRALIA>>.

now the fires are here we are getting told its our reward  ... so we may as well be burning the coal...

I would go along with these group protestors... if they protested about CHINA AND INDIA...at the same time..


but they dont  havent you noticed that?? I have yet to hear greta comment on them...and she has a bigger stage.....thats without talking oil producing countries.... who also never get a mention...

where is the level playing field  in all that???