Brereton war crimes report: SAS soldiers given termination notices

Soldiers from the now-disbanded 2 Squadron, as well as 3 Squadron, have been given termination letters.

Up to 10 SAS soldiers have been issued a ‘show cause’ notice following the release of the Brereton war crimes report. Picture: Department of Defence

At least 10 Special Air Service Regiment soldiers have been issued with termination notices, as Defence moves quickly to respond to the damning Brereton war crimes report.

The soldiers — all lower-ranked members of the Perth-based regiment — received the notices this week to “show cause” why they should not be sacked.

Those affected by the “administrative action” are said to be from the SASR’s now-disbanded 2 Squadron, and 3 Squadron.

They have been given 14 days to respond. SAS sources said some intended to fight to stay in the regiment.

Defence Minister Linda Reynolds. Picture: Getty Images

It’s unclear whether the operators who received the notices are among 19 soldiers set to be investigated over alleged murders in Afghanistan, or whether they were accessories to the alleged crimes.

Some of the notices referred to failures to uphold the values of an SASR member.

The Australian can also reveal Defence Minister Linda Reynolds and the Chief of the Defence Force, Angus Campbell, will address all one-star officers and above, as well as their public service counterparts, at Defence’s Russell headquarters on Friday morning.

The meeting was ostensibly to discuss Defence’s previously announced transformation inquiry, but is now expected to focus on implementing the Brereton inquiry’s recommendations. A Defence spokeswoman said due process would be afforded to those facing expulsion from the army.

“Defence can confirm it has initiated administrative action against a number of serving Australian Defence Force personnel in accordance with legislation and Defence policy,” she said.

“As the Chief of the Defence Force said publicly last week, findings by the (Inspector General for the Australian Defence Force’s) Afghanistan inquiry of alleged negligence by individuals in the performance of their duties have been accepted by the CDF, and allegations will be managed through the ADF’s administrative and disciplinary processes.

Chief of the Australian Defence Force General Angus Campbell. Picture: Getty Images

“Each matter and individual circumstance will be considered on a case-by-case basis. It is essential due process is followed.”

NSW Supreme Court judge Paul Brereton found “credible information” up to 25 special forces soldiers were involved in the alleged murder of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners, but recommended only 19 face prosecution. Among the findings of his four-year inquiry were credible reports that junior soldiers were ordered by patrol commanders to shoot unarmed prisoners to achieve their first kill in a practice known as “blooding”; and that “throwdowns” — weapons or radios planted on bodies — were used by soldiers to conceal murders.

General Campbell announced the abolition of 2 Squadron, in which Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith served, and stripped meritorious service citations from 3000 special forces personnel in recognition of their “collective responsibility” for the alleged crimes. But he faces a backlash from NCOs, who feel Defence’s commanders in Afghanistan – most of whom received distinguished service medals – have been let off the hook.

General Campbell said he would examine the accountability of senior army officers, who the inquiry said bore “moral responsibility” for the crimes that occurred on their watch. He has also pledged to review medals received by commanders.

A petition has been launched to protest removal of the Meritorious Unit Citation, awarded to all special forces task group members, while families of soldiers killed in action expressed pain at having to hand back awards. The father of a commando killed by a Taliban rocket attack in 2009 said if General Campbell wanted to revoke his son’s meritorious service award, he could “collect it himself from my son’s gravestone”.

Current or former ADF members, or their families, in need of counselling or support, can contact the Defence All-Hours Support Line on 1800 628 036, or Open Arms on 1800 011 046