Staff from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) have taken part in a pilot program to help them understand the demands of Army service.
Major John King, of the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR), said the DVA staff began their visit to Brisbane’s Gallipoli Barracks with a round-table discussion, where they heard about the experiences of young soldiers first-hand.
“I think the central themes that the soldiers relayed through the activity very much focused on the impacts that service life has on both their professional and personal lives,” Major King said.
“(It wasn’t) just from a physical aspect, but also from the mental strain this can place on the wellbeing of both individuals and families,” he said.
“It was great to see the soldiers engaging openly and honestly about their roles, which was by no means from a complaints aspect – more so provoking DVA members to understand the nature of their duties.”
Major King said that after the discussion, the DVA staff ate from a combat ration pack (served cold) and wore body armour while they watched capability displays from 7th Combat Brigade units.
He said the staff were taken aback by how bulky combat ration packs were.
“There’s certainly always the initial inquisitiveness of what is in our ration packs, and, of course, with the vast improvement of them over the past few years, they weren’t too far taken aback by the initial tastings,” Major King said.
“What also surprised some was the size and weight of them, with the expectation that we are required to carry three of them on the person when in marching order (dress).”
Research Officer 3with Defence Engagement at the DVA, Shareen Singh thanked the soldiers for sharing their observations, saying that she and her colleagues had gained a much better understanding of the demands of Army service.
“The soldiers provided forthright, diverse and rich information that deepened DVA staff’s understanding of military life for Defence personnel and their families,” Ms Singh said.
“Their personal reflections on how DVA might improve their services were exceptionally enlightening,” she said.
“Prior to this visit, few DVA staff possessed a detailed understanding of the level of commitment and sacrifice Defence personnel were required to demonstrate during their service.”
Ms Singh said depending on the outcome of the pilot at Gallipoli Barracks, the program might be replicated at Defence bases around Australia.
