SAS ‘voices’ reassure us of commitment to truth

As noted in your editorial “SAS voices cut through the fog” (18/11), the bold public statement endorsed by a number of unidentified serving and former SAS operators in response to the Brereton report should help “puncture the obfuscation” of the report’s expected findings.

By wholeheartedly supporting the prosecution and removal of those found guilty of war crimes, these members are expressing their commitment to not closing ranks to protect those found to be guilty, which is crucial to any future prosecutorial process.

But more forthcoming is their claim to be singularly bound to the principle of “truth in reporting”. Apart from wanting to direct their concerns about reporting in the media, this is a testament to their own willingness to provide vital evidence under oath.

While the US military has had only mixed success in prosecuting several special forces members for brutal war crimes, this statement should help reassure us that the SAS will be at the forefront of restoring moral and legal credibility to our own military.

Vincent Zankin, former ADF chaplain, Rivett, ACT

Your SAS correspondents have not “broken cover”, as your editorial suggests. They have spoken on behalf of the tens of thousands of serving Australians who do their duty night and day to keep us and our country safe. Continued journalistic conjecture, supposition and hyperbole about the failure of a few is neither helpful nor necessary, and it does nothing to reassure those in uniform and their families that we appreciate and support their service to our country.

R.M. Baird, Campbell Town, Tas

Congratulations on your excellent editorial “SAS voices cut through the fog”. As a former SAS officer of the Vietnam era I have been privileged to know and work alongside some of the finest. I have known many SAS commanders and called many friends. They are all, in my view, outstanding leaders, former governor-general Michael Jeffrey among them.

Something has happened since the government pushed the counterterrorism role on to the regiment; the culture appears to have moved in the wrong direction, at least in part. A number of current and immediate past generals would have been part of this change, having served in the regiment, some on more than one occasion, among them Angus Campbell, Rick Burr and Adam Findlay. This is not a rank-and-file digger problem; it’s an officer problem.

Instead of making the current command structure responsible for change, the government should appoint some pre-Afghanistan senior officers who have commanded the regiment to oversee reform as recommended in the Brereton report.

John George, Terrigal, NSW

Over the years, members of the ADF have consistently been voted Australia’s most respected citizens by the wider population. I hope this sentiment survives the release of the Brereton report.

John Mcharg, Maylands, WA

I fear, as do the 13 serving and former SAS soldiers (“Top brass can’t hide on war crimes”, 17/11) some of our elite troops will be hung out to dry to ensure senior brass enjoy their share of post-review virtue within the commands beneath them.

We must not let this happen. Small autonomous fighting units have proven a success and have placed our soldiers in high regard, but such units rely on strong, independent junior leaders — a tall order. If the war crimes inquiry finds ethical standards have not been upheld then those who recruit, train and assemble these groups must be jointly culpable.

Keith Mouatt, Robina, Qld

As a lawyer, I firmly subscribe to compliance with the requirements of our legal system. However, I am concerned for members of our armed forces, who serve in places such as Afghanistan. We must be measured and not rush to personal judgment.

To a civilian, the whole process of training and then fighting in such places seems like formal brutalisation, compounded by the repeat despatching of these soldiers to the same hostile places without respite, then often leaving them to struggle with PTSD on their return.

It is for others, with more knowledge and wisdom than ordinary folk, to assess what took place over there, but I remain steadfastly grateful to those who put their lives on the line for the sake of the rest of us.

Leni Palk, Unley, SA