Diggers can’t stomach it as ration packs go gender neutral
By HARRY BRILL
31 August, 2023
An army decision to adopt gender-neutral terminology for ration packs has been criticised by veterans and serving soldiers as an example of a defence force immersed in political correctness.
The Army News – the organisation’s official newspaper – reported that standard ration packs, traditionally referred to as “combat-ration-one-man” will be referred to as “combat-ration-one-person” from July next year.
The news drew the ire and humour of veterans and servicemen alike, with one member sarcastically declaring “retention solved”.
The ration pack name joins an ADF suite of changes in terminology, dress and job prerequisites.
The Pineapple Express, a veterans’ community group, said the issue went beyond the ration pack.
“Making these seemingly small changes play to a much larger issue at hand,” the group said in a statement. “In our opinion, it opens the ADF up to divisiveness and ridicule – all of which are deleterious to (the army’s) identity, cohesiveness and morale.”
The Pineapple Express said the ration pack issue raised important questions relating to tradition, identity and effective resourcing.
“From the very start of our careers, and all throughout, we are taught that we are the custodians of military history – terms like ‘infantryman’ have historical context and hold deep-rooted significance, so it shouldn’t be surprising that there was resistance to this change,” the statement read.
“Revising policy, training materials and administrative documents to reflect any new terminology requires resources that could be better directed towards essential needs.”
The ADF has been making strong efforts in support of inclusion. Following Labor’s election victory in 2022, Defence Minister Richard Marles reintroduced diversity morning teas for the ADF workforce. They had previously been banned by his predecessor, Peter Dutton. The move was announced in a directive issued by Defence secretary Greg Moriarty and Defence Chief General Angus Campbell.
In February, the ADF celebrated 10 years since personnel started participating in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, joined by Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh and Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite.
In August, the ABC reported the ADF Academy directed cadets to wear purple civilian attire in support of Wear it Purple Day – an annual event to celebrate the LGBTIQA+ community.
Opposition defence spokesman and former army officer Andrew Hastie said the ADF leadership was trying to “ram home a political agenda”.
Online, a Department of Defence statement addresses the “importance of diversity” in the pursuit of high performance and strategic readiness.
“A more diverse workforce supported by an inclusive culture enhances Defence’s capability and effectiveness, as it draws on the different ideas to innovate and adapt to a rapidly evolving strategic environment and the changing nature of warfare,” the department’s statement reads. But what do servicemen truly care about? Their wellbeing and operational effectiveness, said The Pineapple Express. “It’s evident that (veteran and servicemen) concerns revolve around matters that directly impact their quality of life,” the group said.
“These concerns include access to timely and high-quality healthcare, mental health support, and a clear transition process into civilian life for veterans.”
