Australian Army chief identifies problems with troop training in leaked letter
Australian Army recruits are 'not up to scratch' and lack the mental strength to take on criticism or be 'yelled at', a unit commander has claimed.
The criticism comes as a leaked letter – written in December by Deputy Chief of the Army Major General Christopher Smith – identified a range of deficiencies in the force's troop training.
Support units were particularly affected, with the letter claiming personnel lacked 'competency in foundational soldiering skills [including] navigation, digging pits, putting up wire, patrolling and air sentry duties'.
The result: 'non-arms corp units are finding it necessary to expend valuable time teaching foundational skills rather than on collective training, inhibiting the value troops draw from exercises'.
Major Smith's letter urged commanders to shift their priorities and focus on improving the physical, psychological and social conditioning (or group cohesion) of troops, representing a broader philosophical change in the army's approach to training – to ensure the army can meet the nation's 'changing situation'.
A defence spokesman confirmed General Smith wrote the letter to all army commanders in December, saying it was 'intended to reflect on the force's posture changes and strategic circumstances as outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy'.
But one commander, speaking under anonymity, suggests the letter speaks to his own deeper concerns about troop standards claiming some were simply 'not up to scratch'.
They claim cadets lacked the mental fortitude expected of a soldier, being unable to take on criticism or withstand 'being yelled at'.
The letter also flagged remote training as a problem, being at odds with the army's philosophical shift, stating in-person experiences were preferable as they built 'camaraderie, resilience, and readiness in ways that remote learning cannot replicate'.
The letter emphasised on multiple occasions the need to change immediately, with General Smith explaining that he took 'the unusual step' of issuing the letter to all commanders rather than following a standard top-down process, 'because the requirement to adapt is urgent'.
'Army Headquarters is leading the development of doctrine for the essential physical, psychological, and social conditioning we seek to instil across the force,' the letter says.
'That work is important however, action cannot wait for top-down directives.
'In the interim, I encourage you to take immediate steps to reflect this change in the bias of our training to the extent you are able and to the extent resources and staffing allows.
'Time is the critical resource for conditioning our soldiers and officers. Exploit it fully.'
Defence would not clarify why General Smith's letter reiterated a sense of urgency, but a spokeswoman said there have already been changes within the army over the last six months since the letter was sent – including an increase in the number of weeks troops spent going through basic training.
Minister for Defence Richard Marles declined to comment.
Originally published as Deputy Chief of the Army instructs commanders to fix 'deficiencies' with troop training as some units lack basic soldier skills
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
New CFMEU boss sets sights on housing amid cleanout and reset
A newly appointed CFMEU boss has vowed to launch a landmark blitz on the housing sector as the union seeks to rebuild its power across the nation, vowing he would not be deterred by bikie enforcers who seek to stop him. NSW executive director of the construction union Michael Crosby, who has overseen the departure of nine organisers from the union since he started late last month, set out a blueprint for the union's future at his first delegates meeting in Sydney on Friday, including extending its reach into non-unionised builders and cracking down on non-compliance across the state. His nascent effort to counter sapping morale and a plunge in the CFMEU's industrial power as the Building Bad saga drags on is being replicated by Crosby's Victorian counterpart, Zach Smith, although the challenge is arguably far greater in what was the union's most powerful state for over a decade. Smith's branch is riven with factionalism and ongoing efforts by exiled CFMEU bosses to assert influence, and while both the Victoria and NSW branches have faced significant organised crime and corruption issues, the problem is seen as more entrenched in Victoria. On a recent visit to a Victorian government Big Build site, Smith was met with union members chanting in support of ousted CFMEU vice president Joe Myles. Despite Myles' sacking from the union last year and being part of the ongoing internal investigations over bikie gangs on the Victorian government's Big Build, he retains the support of several delegates and organisers ostensibly working for Smith. Smith's strong backing this week of two veteran CFMEU organisers, John Perkovic and Stephen Long, has also been met with a mixed reception within the union, with the pair previously deeply embedded with the union's former regime that fostered a culture the administration now wants to reform. This masthead is not suggesting that Perkovic and Long have been accused of wrongdoing or are under investigation. Industry sources said Perkovic had convinced Smith he was committed to the reform of the union and is loyal to Smith's leadership.
The Age
6 hours ago
- The Age
New CFMEU boss sets sights on housing amid cleanout and reset
A newly appointed CFMEU boss has vowed to launch a landmark blitz on the housing sector as the union seeks to rebuild its power across the nation, vowing he would not be deterred by bikie enforcers who seek to stop him. NSW executive director of the construction union Michael Crosby, who has overseen the departure of nine organisers from the union since he started late last month, set out a blueprint for the union's future at his first delegates meeting in Sydney on Friday, including extending its reach into non-unionised builders and cracking down on non-compliance across the state. His nascent effort to counter sapping morale and a plunge in the CFMEU's industrial power as the Building Bad saga drags on is being replicated by Crosby's Victorian counterpart, Zach Smith, although the challenge is arguably far greater in what was the union's most powerful state for over a decade. Smith's branch is riven with factionalism and ongoing efforts by exiled CFMEU bosses to assert influence, and while both the Victoria and NSW branches have faced significant organised crime and corruption issues, the problem is seen as more entrenched in Victoria. On a recent visit to a Victorian government Big Build site, Smith was met with union members chanting in support of ousted CFMEU vice president Joe Myles. Despite Myles' sacking from the union last year and being part of the ongoing internal investigations over bikie gangs on the Victorian government's Big Build, he retains the support of several delegates and organisers ostensibly working for Smith. Smith's strong backing this week of two veteran CFMEU organisers, John Perkovic and Stephen Long, has also been met with a mixed reception within the union, with the pair previously deeply embedded with the union's former regime that fostered a culture the administration now wants to reform. This masthead is not suggesting that Perkovic and Long have been accused of wrongdoing or are under investigation. Industry sources said Perkovic had convinced Smith he was committed to the reform of the union and is loyal to Smith's leadership.
Herald Sun
a day ago
- Herald Sun
Anthony Albanese says Gaza crisis has gone ‘beyond the world's worst fears'
Don't miss out on the headlines from National. Followed categories will be added to My News. Anthony Albanese has warned the situation in Gaza has gone 'beyond the world's worst fears' and accused Israel of denying aid to starving children in his strongest criticism to date. Just a week after describing the reported killings of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza as 'completely indefensible', Mr Albanese has issued a new statement on the crisis. 'The situation in Gaza has gone beyond the world's worst fears,' Mr Albanese said on Friday. 'The position of the Australian Government is clear: every innocent life matters. 'Every Israeli. Every conflict has stolen far too many innocent lives.' Mr Albanese's statement also accused Israel of denying aid to children in Gaza and killing civilians. 'Tens of thousands of civilians are dead, children are starving,'' Mr Albanese said. 'Gaza is in the grip of a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel's denial of aid and the killing of civilians, including children, seeking access to water and food cannot be defended or ignored. 'We call on Israel to comply immediately with its obligations under international law.' It follows British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warning the Palestinian people have an 'inalienable right' to a state of their own and French President Emmanuel Macron confirming he will support moves to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the UN general assembly, Just a week after describing the reported killings of Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza as 'completely indefensible', Mr Albanese has issued a new statement on the crisis. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman Palestinians hold onto an aid truck returning to Gaza City from the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) 'Any proposals for the permanent forced displacement of the Palestinian population must be abandoned,'' Mr Albanese said. 'Australia condemns the terror and brutality of Hamas and we reiterate our call for the immediate release of the remaining hostages. 'We continue to support all international efforts to facilitate a ceasefire, recognising that an immediate and permanent ceasefire gives the best hope of bringing hostages home and easing the agony of their loved ones.' Mr Albanese said that the 'legitimate aspirations' for the Palestinian people to have a state of their own was a bipartisan proposition. 'Australia is proud to have strongly supported the creation of the modern state of Israel,' he said. 'Then, as now, the global community envisioned two states: the State of Israel and the State of Palestine. 'Recognising the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people for a state of their own has long been a bipartisan position in Australia. 'The reason a two state solution remains the goal of the international community is because a just and lasting peace depends upon it. 'Australia is committed to a future where both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples can live in peace and safety, within secure and internationally-recognised borders. 'Until that day, every effort must be made here and now to safeguard innocent life and end the suffering and starvation of the people of Gaza. Sir Keir Starmer has condemned the 'unspeakable and indefensible' humanitarian conditions in Gaza after aid groups warned of mass starvation. In a statement this week, he warned that while the situation had been 'grave for some time' but it has 'reached new depths'. 'We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe,' he said. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) 'I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace. We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay. 'It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this. 'We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.' Israel-Gaza war Mr Albanese has described recent actions by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza as 'completely indefensible' confirming in the last week that he told Israeli President Isaac Herzog directly that Israel was losing support. Describing the blockade on aid into Gaza as 'completely unacceptable' he took issue with Israel's 'excuses and explanations'. 'We need to always engage in the world as it is, rather than as we would like it to be,' he said. 'Israel's actions, many of the actions of the Netanyahu government, including by its ministers, have led my government indeed to sanction ministers in the Netanyahu government. We would not have thought that was on the agenda in 2022, when I was elected. 'Australia is a long-term supporter — and indeed played a role in the creation of the State of Israel. Mr Albanese has described recent actions by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza as 'completely indefensible'. (Photo by) 'But at that time it's important to remember that two states were envisaged and Australia and certainly my government, has continued to support two states in the Middle East: the State of Israel and the State of Palestine. 'We want Israel to continue to exist within secure borders and to be able to live without the threat of terrorists such as Hamas engaging in the sort of atrocities we saw on October 7. 'But Palestinians have a legitimate aspiration for a state of their own and to be able to achieve prosperity, and that is something that has been a bipartisan position as well going back to John Howard who said there could be no peace in the Middle East, without dealing with the Palestinian question.' Originally published as Anthony Albanese says Gaza crisis has gone 'beyond the world's worst fears'
