Kane Dalton dismissed from army for faking promotion
The actions of a former Australian Army major - who dedicated nearly two decades of his life to the defence force - have been slammed as “totally incompatible with service life” after he elaborately faked his own rise up the ranks.
Canberra Star
Don't miss out on the headlines from Canberra Star. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Comanchero bikies not guilty over scuffle with Nomads rivals
- Goulburn man arrested after massive cocaine bust at Queanbeyan
- Woman who assaulted parking inspector claims she was ‘targeted’
An army officer who dedicated nearly two decades of his life to the defence force has been sacked after he was busted for elaborately faking his own promotion.
Kane Travis Dalton, a former major in the Australian Army, was dismissed from the Australian Defence Force after pleading guilty to making a false entry in a service document, making a false service document, and prejudicial conduct.
The offences only apply to defence force members, not civilians, and military prosecutors withdrew a civilian criminal charge of obtaining benefit by dishonesty.
Dalton’s dismissal — effectively a dishonourable discharge — was confirmed just over a month ago, after being reviewed by a senior judge.
Court records show Dalton changed his details in the defence force corporate directory to falsely show he had been promoted from Major to Lieutenant Colonel — effectively a promotion from middle to senior management.
Dalton was one of the army’s top IT staffers and worked on secretive projects in sensitive parts of the military, according to his LinkedIn.
He was also a graduate of the Royal Military College Duntroon, and had been a top marksman when he served in an infantry unit.
Dalton described himself online, before his dismissal, as “currently transitioning out of the Australian Regular Army”.
He now works in the ACT government, where he describes himself as a “dynamic and driven ICT manager”.
Dalton also admitted in court that he created a document called a posting order, confirming the fake promotion, and presented it to his boss.
He also admitted to dressing up as a Lieutenant Colonel while at work, wearing rank slides which he wasn’t entitled to.
Rank slides are badges which clip on to a soldier’s or officer’s shoulders and which display their rank.
Defence Force Magistrate Group Captain Scott Geeves said Dalton’s offending was “totally incompatible with service life”.
Group Captain Geeves said Dalton had an “impressive service history” but that it was important to send a message to soldiers and officers who might be tempted into acts of dishonesty similar to Dalton’s.