BigTrancer
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BigTrancer
NEWS: Herald-Sun 04 Jun 03: Drug tests for soldiers
- Thread starter BigTrancer
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BigTrancer
But that is exactly what it will be used for. It will be a tool for CO's, Divisional Officers or whomever to harass subordinates they don't particularly like.
The whole ADF Drug and Alcohol policy is a joke. I have a close friend who is in the ADF and know from attending defence functions with her that alcohol abuse is RAMPANT - and even encouraged, to some degree - within the military culture. If some of the alcohol-induced behavior I have seen at these functions made it into the media, there would be an uproar.
And the current ADF drug policy is "Zero Tolerance", meaning that if you are found in possession of an illicit substance, you are to be dismissed fullstop (no exceptions). Yet my friend has told me of a number of cases where ADF individuals were found in possession of illicit substances ranging from cannabis to MDMA to cocaine and NOT discharged - some not even charged within the military discipline system. This is largely due to ADF problems in recruitment/retainment of personnel. They need anyone they can get at the moment, especially the RAN.
I'm not anti-drug (I'm anti-meth, but that's another story) but I've seen some of the pieces of equiment these kids operate and frankly, it'd be reassuring to have a level of random tests for those operating dangerous and/or expensive pieces of equipment, but I know it would just be used as a tool of harassment.
Jokerswild
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The Facts
Alcohol abuse is not just rampant in the Australian Defense Forces it’s a socially enforced and accepted part of the training. Members who did not drink or do not participate alcohol based activities (Sport, BBQ’s, Family days, etc) are considered soft and are quickly ostracized. Drinking in moderation or infrequently again is considered a soft activity and pressure is applied to members who don’t keep up with the ‘team’. The idea that it is discouraged by the upper ranks is a farce with junior members often exposed to heavy drinking and encouraged to engage in it by their superiors.
Drug abuse in all forms though not openly discussed or visible is also widespread in The ADF on and off duty. The use of Amphetamines during training as well as other easily available stimulants like Psudoephadine is frequent and in some cases common practice. Members are often placed in high stress scenarios while sleep deprived with training often contributing to 20+ hours a day over an extended period. The inability to perform ones duty again is considered soft, it is easy for a member to choose a stimulant in these cases and continue to do so. The use of marijuana, ecstasy and amphetamines while off duty is common throughout all ranks. Though members are not commonly involved in systematic supply and distribution the use is however frequent and widespread.
It would be foolhardy to believe that both these issues can be solved by random testing and severe disciplinary action. What the defense force needs to do is accept that there is a problem, accept that it is widespread an institute some sort of counseling and rehabilitation program. If the defense force discharged every member found guilty of a drug or alcohol offence we would be left with a military that would struggle to man a Field Gun.
JoKeR
Alcohol abuse is not just rampant in the Australian Defense Forces it’s a socially enforced and accepted part of the training. Members who did not drink or do not participate alcohol based activities (Sport, BBQ’s, Family days, etc) are considered soft and are quickly ostracized. Drinking in moderation or infrequently again is considered a soft activity and pressure is applied to members who don’t keep up with the ‘team’. The idea that it is discouraged by the upper ranks is a farce with junior members often exposed to heavy drinking and encouraged to engage in it by their superiors.
Drug abuse in all forms though not openly discussed or visible is also widespread in The ADF on and off duty. The use of Amphetamines during training as well as other easily available stimulants like Psudoephadine is frequent and in some cases common practice. Members are often placed in high stress scenarios while sleep deprived with training often contributing to 20+ hours a day over an extended period. The inability to perform ones duty again is considered soft, it is easy for a member to choose a stimulant in these cases and continue to do so. The use of marijuana, ecstasy and amphetamines while off duty is common throughout all ranks. Though members are not commonly involved in systematic supply and distribution the use is however frequent and widespread.
It would be foolhardy to believe that both these issues can be solved by random testing and severe disciplinary action. What the defense force needs to do is accept that there is a problem, accept that it is widespread an institute some sort of counseling and rehabilitation program. If the defense force discharged every member found guilty of a drug or alcohol offence we would be left with a military that would struggle to man a Field Gun.
JoKeR
Urbanhog
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dont forget, a lot of defence force bases have their bars/watering holes/pubs .... the prices of drinks is unbelievablely CHEAP! even for those preimium beers like Crown, Hahn and James Boags I have lost how many time I got blind drunk for $25 compared spending $25 at your local pub. My mate's in the army and I am often invited along for beers and I only go for one reason: CHEAP GROG!
Defences Forces is a fucking joke, a lot I know are pill poppers, potheads and snorters at the bases, I could be very rich if I decided to become a drug dealer for them, but I am not that desprate enough...... there's too many lost souls at the Defence Forces Departments that turn to drugs instead to grog.... why did they make the grog prices so cheap in the firt place? aye?
Its a fucking joke believe me, I have seen it all with my own eyes, I can image if I went undercover with a spy camera to those army piss ups for these cuurent affairs TV programs, I could make a lot of money to fund for my next overseas trip 8) and it will easily cause a national uproar.
Its all bullshit.
Urbanhog %)
Defences Forces is a fucking joke, a lot I know are pill poppers, potheads and snorters at the bases, I could be very rich if I decided to become a drug dealer for them, but I am not that desprate enough...... there's too many lost souls at the Defence Forces Departments that turn to drugs instead to grog.... why did they make the grog prices so cheap in the firt place? aye?
Its a fucking joke believe me, I have seen it all with my own eyes, I can image if I went undercover with a spy camera to those army piss ups for these cuurent affairs TV programs, I could make a lot of money to fund for my next overseas trip 8) and it will easily cause a national uproar.
Its all bullshit.
Urbanhog %)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You must be a saint. Sounds like you should become a current affairs reporter. Its so easy to bag the military, everybody just jumps right on that old band wagon. For a start there are arouond 20,000 people in the army I really dont see it as surprising that there is alcohol and drug abuse. I'm not saying its a good thing, but hell dont the majority do their job? Isnt the Australian soldier recognised as one of the most proffesional in the world? Does not sound like a joke to me.
PS.
I hope your mates know how good a mate your are seeing your ONLY going for the cheap grog
You must be a saint. Sounds like you should become a current affairs reporter. Its so easy to bag the military, everybody just jumps right on that old band wagon. For a start there are arouond 20,000 people in the army I really dont see it as surprising that there is alcohol and drug abuse. I'm not saying its a good thing, but hell dont the majority do their job? Isnt the Australian soldier recognised as one of the most proffesional in the world? Does not sound like a joke to me.
PS.
I hope your mates know how good a mate your are seeing your ONLY going for the cheap grog
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BigTrancer
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BigTrancer.
Urbanhog
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^^^ yeah I get what you mean, Alex, I shouldnt be bagging them, of course they are very very professional workers/soilders, its just what they do afterhours is a joke IMO, and yes my mates know that I only go there for cheap piss, they used that excuse to get me tag along with them
sorry guys.
Urbanhog %)
sorry guys.
Urbanhog %)
BigTrancer
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