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Issue No. 232 | 06 August 2004 |
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Tarnished Rings
Interview: Trading Places Safety: Snow Job Politics: In the Vanguard Unions: Gentle Giant Goes For Gold Bad Boss: 'Porker' Chases Blue Ribbon International: Cruising For A Bruising History: Under the Influence Economics: Working Capital Review: Fahrenheit 9/11 Poetry: Bad Intelligence Rap Satire: Osama Bin Manchu
Parliament The Soapbox The Locker Room Tribute Postcard
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Letters to the Editor An Officer And A Teacher
The Editor. I would like to address all those Men, still alive, but in their latter years, who were Officers of Cadets, in Both Public and Private School, until they were disbanded after the Vietnam War. They Still remain, in some Schools and Communities, but the Cost of Running is paid for by that Community and the Members. This Also Includes the Airforce and Naval Cadets.
Following The Press release of the Hon. Malcolm Brough MP, Minister assisting Defence, that a Medal would be Struck for ALL members of the Services, since 1946 and the Offer of The Opposition of 3 years, IF they get into power-- things are still BAD.
I suddenly find, that during My Time as an Officer of Cadets, I had NEVER been a Member of the Australian Army. Quote "The Australian Cadet Corps is a voluntary organization comprised of Senior Cadet Detachments raised at educational establishments in all States of the Commonwealth. It serves as a training ground to provide, to some extent, the future officers and non-commissioned officers of the Australian Military Forces, and, as such, occupies a foremost position in the scheme of national defence. The minimum age of enrolment in school detachments is 14 years and cadets, who receive a free issue of A.M.F. pattern uniform, may remain therein until they cease to be pupils of respective educational establishments. "
Now. We ALL spent thousands of Hours, Organising, Training -lunchtime/After School/ Weekends/ annual Camp -- Attending Courses as Officers.
I lay beside them , as they learnt to Shoot, Scrambled through the Paddocks with them, Congratulated them when they Joined the Regulars and wished them the best, when their marble came up for Vietnam. But, none of us were IN the Army -- I now find.
My Discharge Papers from the Cadets, shows my Period of Enlistment on Australian Defence Force Stationary, but I find I was NEVER a Member, even a CMF/Reserve. We could gain a 15 Year Cadet Forces Medal, which is Under Military Medals, in both the Imperial Honours days and the Australian Honours -- is on Sites such as "Its an Honour", but we were Never Soldiers ---- Simply Chaperones.
The State RSL of NSW, now Accepts 10 year Officers of Cadets, as Full Members. They, Obviously, are under the same impression as me -- we were Army.
Where does All this come from? I now find , from a 101 year Old Act on Defence, that -- section 62(3) of the defence Act 1903 that : "A person appointed to be an officer or instructor in the Australian Army Cadets does not become a member of the Army by virtue of that Appointment".
I and hundreds who have contacted me, would like to see this ' unknown ' Act retrospectively Repealed, so that Officers of Cadets can be classed as ADF Reserves and be entitled to Awards of the CMF / Reserves. Most of us, were Ex WW2 or National Service and Adequately trained to be in charge of these units. We MUST be at least equal, to Members of the CMF at the time.
I and Others from this Period, Complain LOUDLY to the Assistant to the Minister for Defence; The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence and your Local Member. Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition and Inform them that :- We SHOULD get recognition, WELL before 15 years, in a Proper Military Manner -- Medal and Ribbon. The promised Australian Defence Medal/Defence Recognition Medal � call it what you will, would be ideal � even if it had a 10c bar stating �CADETS� I would be Grateful if ALL Affected seniors or their Widows, could Contact me, to TRY and right this inequity. Sincerely. Ex 40 year Teacher. Dave MARRINON. JP. Brunswick Heads. NSW.
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