Former Special Forces commando blasts ADF leaders' 'culture' for low recruitment

Former Special Forces commando Heston Russell says fixing the culture at the top of the Defence Force will get Australia back to “the standards and excellence our national partners know that we can deliver”.
“The day that we fix the culture at the top is the day that we actually have a fighting force that will grow again and get back to Australia has been at the standards and excellence our national partners know that we can deliver,” Mr Russell told Sky News Australia host Erin Molan.
“There are close to 600,000 veterans in this country.
“The day that Angus Campbell is removed from the Chief of Defence Force and the day that Moriarty is removed from Secretary of Defence and there are people who actually get in there who care about our people and the national purpose they have.
“It is the day you will likely see more of those veterans reenlist - you are more likely to see more of those veterans endorsing our brothers our sisters our nephews our nieces and sons and our daughters to enlist.”

[@reapzilla]

maybe don't stab your own citizens in the back if you want military recruits

[@Seagulligus]

100%.

[@tarryattorney1414]

I want to defend my country if war comes here but I also won't follow alot of the current government or old government (Liberal).

[@WillC-s5q]

​@@tarryattorney1414they just want to give more taxpayers money to arms manufacturers and and increase taxpayer debt.

[@joe-dirt697]

​@tarryattorney1414 You'll be on your own lad! Let the fkn abos fight!

[@juki009]

This is all new to me... can you give us the TLDR version on what's going with the Australian Military?

[@WitchDoctor-m9s]

Agree with Heston 100% The Rot set in at the Top.

[@gjamieson1956]

Starts at school, look at the education system no wonder the kids are not patriotic

[@saltyaussie7702]

6yrs in regs & 4yrs cadets never again.

[@concernedaussie1330]

It's certainly not limited to defense. Every single government agency. Health , education , police defense, transport. The whole bloody lot. We need our COMMONWEALTH back .

[@concernedaussie1330]

@@saltyaussie7702 good on ya mate . Thank you .

[@jamedmurphy4468]

When subunits are ordered that their company or emblem flag MUST incorporate some Idigenous element you know where the headsheds priorities lie

[@miltonfarm]

Why would you join a defence force for a country that has 3 flags, promotes personal for their gender, race and sexual orientation and not merit,

[@Mondegreen2020]

And mandates unsafe, ineffective & unnecessary medical experiments, conditioning our participation in the free market economy on our compliance.

[@concernedaussie1330]

🎯👊

[@Seagulligus]

Yeah a new flag is needed. Get rid of the union jack and make something that represents our multicultural and modern Australia.

[@concernedaussie1330]

@@Seagulligus our 1st step should be a rebirth of AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH & Red Ensign ( red flag ) . Our AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH was stolen from us . EVERYTHING we need to rebuild our nation is already here in the CONSTITUTION OF THE AUSTRALIAN COMMONWEALTH of 1901 ( red book ) not the Commonwealth of Australia & Australia act 1986. AIF , milita, school cadets & COMMONWEALTH owned infrastructure. Not this forgein owned multinational corporation, corrupt Bullshit . That would include capital punishment for treason. All prime ministers since 1973 are guilty of treason. They have personally been involved in the known dismantling of our COMMONWEALTH . For their own personal financial gain . It's all part of the UNITED NATIONS take over . There is a push back happening all over the world right now . This WW3 with Russia & China that we are being prepared for is totally unnecessary & is only to implement the New World Order. How dare they , people are waking up & fighting back. Texas border , farmers in Europe, Russia , the Unvaccinated. Fuck a new flag for all of new unproven Australians. They should be the 1st to volunteer for national service & do some hard work in the hot , hard outback . Just as the forefathers that forged this nation .

[@reubs91]

@@Seagulligusnah mate that a silly idea

[@axle.australian.patriot]

"The state that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards, and its fighting by fools." -Thucydides.

[@Evervigilant88]

Well said 👌

[@squidjames7735]

Always loved thigh dds

[@oasis042]

Timeless. Still true.

[@robpinter5431]

The ADF has lost its prime focus on what a Defence force is supposed to do. Now the important things are the LBGTQI+ alphabet inclusion, Officers in woman's dress uniform including nail polish, At Russell there is a whole department focused on Diversity and inclusion. The introduction of I feel offended card at Kapooka, soft training makes soft soldiers. National Service will not bring the numbers back to the ADF,. The ADF should not be used for walk alongs with the Police during Covid lockdowns, The ADF should not be used for a emergency services roles, unfortunately the emergency services are under funded and need the ADF resources. The Defence procurement is a joke, it takes years to procure hardware that is useless and out of date. Fix the culture at the top, make the Defence minister a Ex Defence member as they know what is required.

[@josmith1815]

This country is very anti male Why would any od them join....

[@1JohnnyUTAH]

Well said 👍 Explained Everything Thankyou.

[@ViperOptix]

All started when that female cadet was filmed banging some dude, the ADF came to the conclusion of hiring more females to show the public that the ADF cares about females in Defence. She was a Cadet not even full time member. DFR had legit male to female recruiting ratios, turning away males to reach the female numbers needed.

[@dinkydi172]

I Agree 100% cobber, they are nothing but woke traitors.

[@ClevelandSteamer99]

At the same time the Russians, Chinese, Iran, Turkey, Hammas, Houthi’s and the rest of them are arming themselves and their youth is getting tougher while ours are becoming a bunch of pussies. Batten down the hatches.

[@NeilAtkinson-sw6mx]

Well said Heston, thank you for your service.

[@spikeprotein5924]

You sleep with him too?

[@infidel202]

​@spikeprotein5924 do you mean in the same way you sleep with bandt, on all 4, are you threatened by real men

[@infidel202]

I agree mate well said Heston, you are a legend

[@robstone4537]

Australia does not have a big enough military to fill up a decent size footy stadium.

[@millennium677]

its never been a big military but its always had highly efficient soldiers but things are changing

[@millennium677]

@@steveatkinson85 then we are definitely backing the wrong horse, America has never won a war and the UK is practically dead

[@millennium677]

@@steveatkinson85 then we have backed the wrong horse, the US has never won a war and the UK is far from its glory days

[@dudeybagz]

@@millennium677what horse do you suggest we back?

[@Kelly-wf5ie]

500 Aussie’s with 2 weeks experience held off 14,000 Japs in Papa New Guinea, what are U saying ??

[@seanyuke3249]

And that folks, is a man with a good brain and a clear mind. Thanks Heston.

[@gingerdad127]

I work in defence transitions and assist on providing supports for leaving members. The bottom line is, members no longer feel valued. Furthermore, the defence bureaucracy in Canberra is flawed

[@MeredithBell-v3f]

The head of the ADF is the problem a pervert

[@rogueelement8831]

Defence hierarchy, government and supposed supporting organisations are run by either psychopathic, sociopathic or narcissistic individuals who don't give a crap about anyone but themselves.

[@adm.petercowell9573]

You just heard if from the horses mouth. I am replying to this comment specifically and they are right. Defence personnel do not feel valued. Moreover, they actually are not valued which is why they feel it and leave. We also have to drive out the oldboys network behind alot of the bullying that drives veteran suicide. Its not comming from outside defence but from the veteran community itself. Cold war soldiers who never saw action and resent anybody who achieves. Petty jealousy with a sprinkling of self assessed elitism they turn against anybody doing more than they had the chance to do. Infighting and jockeying for position put together with the "crabs in a bucket" mentality. Defence does not get ahead because of the oldboys network pulling down anybody climbing up. As for National service; conscript personnel to the reserve forces and train them there. Allow existing reservists to transfer to the regular forces. For Gods sake stop returning equipment at a time like this too. DO NOT reduce the Land Warefare Tank capacity. If anything, increase them urgently.

[@gingerdad127]

@@adm.petercowell9573 Spot on! 🎯 In addition, as a veteran myself, when I served and there were promotions, it became a nasty game of "step on others, or be stepped on"

[@annepearce2845]

Exactly! Look how they treated Heston and Roberts. No support or respect. They put their lives on the line..

[@themememagician3998]

After the last 3 years no way I'm dying for this country you can stick it

[@davepowelldrumz]

im still not a fully fledged member of society anymore accoring to them.

[@daniel-it2lw]

our country has never given a crap about its defense force members. we are just smarter now lol

[@Maxkil]

Same here.

[@cupidstunt8136]

Hey, I tried. I got kicked out. I sort of got back in....as a janitor on the summer break, but thats about it. There is absolutely no way I would ever try to get back in.

[@jayrad2230]

100%

[@rosshitchen-ij6en]

Why would anyone join.They throw you under the bus whenever it suits them.The way they treated certain SASR was completely disgusting.

[@gramgliddon8550]

For the war crimes they comitted

[@rosshitchen-ij6en]

@@gramgliddon8550 At 1 point they were talking about taking the medals off everyone who served in Afghanistan.Do you think thats good as well. As for war crimes most were found innocent.I havent heard any apologies.

[@Degenevesting]

@@gramgliddon8550Yeah okay officer bootlicker. If you think every bloke that got done in that was a war criminal then idk what to tell ya

[@ronnymcdonald2543]

@@rosshitchen-ij6en So some did commit war crimes ?

[@rosshitchen-ij6en]

@@ronnymcdonald2543 Not convicted yet so no.However there is 1 soldier who is has a pending murder trial. Innocent until proven guilty.

[@IANREA]

So from a person in the UK, govt and authorities etc reject Australia Day, when Australians celebrate the country, yet you want young people to join the forces to fight for a country that can’t celebrate or even walk down the street carrying an Australian flag. Australia has joined the rest of the Western world in decline of standards, morals, common sense

[@dartymcphee6738]

Spot on mate,Can’t even be proud to be white!

[@Seagulligus]

Well if you lived in Australia you would see that many regular aussies dont celebrate such things for good reason. Young aussies regect patriotism as they see the corruption of our broken 2 party system.

[@gw5436]

​@@Seagulligusregular Aussies celebrate Australia day. It's the woke slimebag professional victims that don't. Hack, spit.

[@concernedaussie1330]

@@Seagulligusthat’s why have the red ensign on my avatar! I have zero respect for what’s happened under the blue flag . Our nation was formed & our WW1 & WW2 & Korean War vets fought under the red ensign. That’s when Australia was Australia in my eyes.

[@Seagulligus]

@@concernedaussie1330 thats it. I like that.

[@GaryHuntington-m3p]

Yes , get rid of this Angus Campbell, he is a disgrace

[@lapualapua3591]

His father would be very upset with A C !

[@pogmirebuttson2404]

I'm not so sure of this yet!

[@smileydave3907]

He was my Commanding Officer. Trust me when I say he has to go. The fact he made it to the position he is in, speaks volumes on how broken the system is. Nothing he has done has surprised me NOTHING

[@johnnytower6169]

Literally everybody hates him. I didn’t know a single sailor that thought his leadership was adequate

[@annepearce2845]

Thank you Heston! You're one of our heroes 🇦🇺❤much respect

[@spikeprotein5924]

A gay war criminal?

[@rockyahmad]

As someone who did cadets from age 15 to 18 and wanted to join the ADF afterwards, I can tell you that the best decision I made was to move overseas and join the defence force of another country that actually respects people who can defend themselves and others. Meanwhile in Australia, people are getting locked up for having toy guns 🤣🤣

[@concernedaussie1330]

100% .

[@damianloder6080]

What country did you move to?

[@oronk60]

Yes, why would we fight for a low trust country like Australia, after you serve and become a veteran they'll lock you up if you ever need to defend yourself. A fucking joke, they ask us to kill for their greedy interests but women can't even carry pepperspray. 🤡

[@gerrybreugem2496]

Gaza@@damianloder6080

[@CptJohnHays]

Spot on mate, well said ✌🏼

[@pearlbayud5180]

Heston is spot on.

[@spikeprotein5924]

Wet spot?

[@infidel202]

​@@spikeprotein5924you poor sad socialist

[@infidel202]

​@@spikeprotein5924pity your old man didn't settle for a blowie

[@concernedaussie1330]

This needs to be a far larger conversation.

[@thedreamtime3624]

​@@spikeprotein5924you mad boy?

[@ensporium8857]

Remember a few years ago when the entire media and government was bashing the ADF and the SAS

[@gw5436]

And that pathetic fat clown Morrison saying heads will roll.... without evidence and before any trials!

[@concernedaussie1330]

I’ll never forget ! It’s way deeper then just that .

[@Cooliemasteroz]

The ABC is another serious problem.

[@nevilleabbott2330]

I'm pretty sure that was because SAS soldiers where shooting unarmed prisoners

[@concernedaussie1330]

@@nevilleabbott2330 alls fair in love & war . If they don't like what happens in bullshit little US wars . Then don't send us to bullshit little wars .

[@FourHorsemen-k2y]

I served in the ADF and my son has followed in my footstep’s against my wishes, I sat him down prior to enlistment and explained the bureaucracy and the duplicitous nature of some of these high ranking officers who care nothing about the Diggers who would sacrifice everything for their country .

[@R0d_1984]

You'd be surprised how many are Freemasons/Fabian Socialists, and other...

[@Bruce15485]

If you do join, work out how the hierarchy play the game, and try to work around it ! Unfortunately it will be a moving goal post !!!!! Good luck !

[@crxdelsolsir]

When you have made anti Australian people citizens, the quality of your soldiers be it volunteers (with operatives infiltrating) or conscription (un devoted pretentious citizens in only for benefits) is tainted to say the least.

[@johnnytower6169]

There was a sailor that made a Facebook post on Australia Day about how much they hated the flag and the day was a disgrace (in much vulgar terms) several other members commented, voicing their disgust The ones that commented were reprimanded because the person that made the original post was a member of a protected diversity class

[@MickAngelhere]

Get rid of the top generals who are more concerned about gender identity then about keeping the ADF combat ready. Then put those who are more focused on the ADF being ready for operations not about pandering to a few delusional individuals who can’t handle being a man

[@spikeprotein5924]

You know Heston is gay, right?

[@MickAngelhere]

@@spikeprotein5924 so what if he’s gay? It didn’t stop him from being able to make it into the Special Forces and being an effective operator. The issue is the ADF pushing gender politics, when they should be focusing on ensuring that the ADF is combat ready for the twenty first century battlefield. When the bullets are flying and the bombs are falling all over the shop , it’s a situation where the last thing on a persons mind , is wether or not that they are still trying figure out what gender they are. The ability to be able to trust the man or woman serving alongside has got your back and is focused on the job with the training you have been is a crucial one. If the military are more focused on gender politics and Wokeness then it means that the ADF will become weak and ineffective as a fighting force.

[@zainbain8261]

Does being gay require you to be obsessed with gender identity?​@@spikeprotein5924

[@SevenCostanza]

The thing is they're not concerned about gender identity. Their concerned about getting promoted and furthering they're career, and will do anything to get it, including destroying the defence force to please they're masters

[@Kektamusprime]

@@SevenCostanza Yep every single officers besides 1 or 2 when I was in was just a pseudo politician doing everything they could to further their careers its one of the reasons I got out along with out of touch boomers running the show

[@BrianMurphy-t3u]

I wouldn't trust our modern leaders to win a game off snap

[@The_Sovereign777]

They couldn't organize a piss up at a brewery... utterly useless.

[@VenturiLife]

We've been quietly losing for quite some time.

[@xioncorp]

None wants to go to war for idiotic politicians

[@firststep7750]

Relax! The femanists will all enlist and save the day.

[@anneloving8405]

😂 do you mean trans????good luck with that.😂😂😂or you need to go back to school.

[@Kektamusprime]

and LBGT and immugrants

[@MicksA]

When Albo, Andrews and Wenny Pong go on the frontline, I’ll consider putting my life at risk.

[@GUITARLEGEND956]

"I'm out Danny Boy!" Sling me a magazine. "Keep pressure on that wound!'. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@MicksA]

@@GUITARLEGEND956 hahaaaa

[@grahamhiggs4355]

Penny Wong would join the Army - just not the Australian Army.

[@MicksA]

Wenny pong has her ammo… I think they’re in her top drawer. Never been inside her bedroom and definitely don’t want to. Imagine what it smells like? It would pong 👃 💨

[@MicksA]

Wenny Pong keeps her weapons and ammo in the top drawer

[@mickdingo7920]

Absolutely, Camble and Moriarty need to go. And some great ideas for positive changes Thank you for your service Heston.

[@buildmotosykletist1987]

Agree, Aussies need to listen to what Heston just said.

[@anonymousaustralianhistory2081]

what are the criticism of them? this video is the first i have heard of them

[@VenturiLife]

@@anonymousaustralianhistory2081 I think they're too busy playing politics than paying attention to the issues of their own ADF and it's membership. The usual problem at that level.

[@anonymousaustralianhistory2081]

@@VenturiLife I gather that but anything specifically and tangible?

[@larstorders9695]

Heston Russell was hung out to dry by Campbell, The Australian Government and others, he was falsely accused of war crimes published by your ABC. He won his defamation case against the ABC in October last year.@@anonymousaustralianhistory2081

[@kparker1615]

They can't even house the ones that are in, let alone recruit more.. it is a joke

[@JAK4444]

I'm a veteran that's been out 12 years now. Even back then, the leadership was the main cause of retention problems.

[@realitybitez3255]

They didn’t even mention or forgot to talk about that the ADF is the most difficult to actually join and have extremely high standards unlike other countries. Why don’t they even talk about the fact that most younger Australians don’t see themselves as being Australian but instead their ethnic backgrounds. In this day age if you even are proud to be Australian you are automatically called some racist. How about addressing these issues first.

[@ce244]

Agree, especially Reserves. You still work your full time job but are still expected to have the very high level of fitness they are after. Completely unrealistic. Lord help you if you are over 35 and trying to join, where you will have to meet the fitness standards of kids HALF your age...once you're in though, it's easy, and fitness then ? Don't make me laugh 😂

[@Mali-kuValdes]

Im sad you can't be around to be Aussie the place was better when Youse were proud Australians I'm proud and Aussie dad's a yank and mum's an abo

[@chrispekel5709]

@@Mali-kuValdes lol, on ya mate!

[@johnnytower6169]

I can assure you that there are plenty of personnel that you wouldn’t trust to wash your dishes People slip through the cracks all the time, especially if they help meet a diversity quota

[@realitybitez3255]

@@johnnytower6169 I’m assuming you are referring to non white / male applicants because for the normal Aussie it’s pretty strict

[@BoatLife_DansBoatLife]

Serving Army Infantrymen told me a few weeks ago that they are all quitting as soon as they can. Reason - why should they put their body on the line when their wage gives them no hope of buying a house.

[@BoatLife_DansBoatLife]

@@PwerRanger01 Our Prime Minister owns 6 houses, yet he's never run a business or built anything profitable in his life. And these guys are asking young people who can see they have no hope of participating or benefiting from the Australian Dream to fight and die so baby boomer property owners and politicians can secure their investments. What a joke haha - the smart kids will all just leave Australia, NZ, Canada for greater opportunities elsewhere.

[@Mali-kuValdes]

One hundred percent mate!I say all the people with all the houses and the boats in the Harbour have the motivation to fight go protect your plunder ya d@ggs

[@Kurio71]

What's he going to do outside?

[@aidenhughes2008]

As a conscription aged male, this gets me more than angry. A bunch of politicians with no skin in the game discussing my own or my sons future. If you wanted me to die for this country, you shouldn't have sold my childrens future to the third world. If you walk down my driveway after my children to fight your battles, you'll have to take my life first.

[@pp-bb6jj]

Left. Woke. Women. Can't say.

[@Les_Grossman80]

Nothing to do with it you potato. It's because the ADF treat there service men and women like shit after they leave.

[@SiliconBong]

My video dedicated to 'Former Special Forces commando blasts ADF leaders' 'culture' for low recruitment' has been interrupted by an advertisement for HeroWars.

[@SiliconBong]

Yeah.. ..in the last couple of days YuTube has done its very best to remind us of the joys of an adblocker.

[@marcusrwalker]

well well well.... I'm constantly told this is not my land because of my race. If this is the binga bounga land always is always will be, then they can fight for it, I wont. If and only if, native title is abolished, all race based programs are abolished and put in the constitution, then I would fight for MY land.

[@Commieh8r4eva]

Yep i totally agree, I’m not dying for a country that isn’t mine. Stuff that!

[@deanabrozki286]

Well said. Totally agree

[@johnnytower6169]

We had a warrant officer tell an entire unit of engineering sailors that there “is enough bloke hair blue eyed sailors in this navy”

[@hamishclayton347]

Heston’s subtle hint that currently, our defence force is an extension of foreign powers… he’s right when he says we need to “realign our defence force in our own national interests” - well said.

[@R0d_1984]

99% don't know...

[@DieselAddiction]

Officers should not be direct entry. They should be selected from Arms Corps on merit.

[@lockie666]

LTs should be selected by NCOs

[@Mrbuckaroonie..]

That was very good. Heston speaks so well. I did 20 years in the Army because in my day there was a DFRDB pension at the end of it. It was a career. They got rid of it in 1991 and there was no incentive to do your 20 years anymore. Military careers advisors came to my high school and told us all about the ADF and all the jobs we could do. Not sure they do that anymore. The CDF and the three Chiefs of the services need to go. Get rid of the woke culture from the ADF. There is no room for it. This needs to start NOW!!!

[@goofiegoofball]

I'm currently on my 14th year and considering getting out next year. DFRDB would definitely keep me in.

[@Mrbuckaroonie..]

Yeah mate, I got to 10 years and said to myself, "I am half way, I am pushing on." That DFRDB Pension put my daughter through private school and University. She is now a Speech pathologist. I could not have done that without DFRDB. Government got stingy mate and got rid of it. Weak as piss. It is no longer a career. What a shame. @@goofiegoofball

[@goofiegoofball]

@@Mrbuckaroonie.. Didn't realize it was you mate, I've seen quite a bit of your shows on here. Good stuff mate.

[@derekobeirnes482]

Same in Ireland you done your 20 years you got your pension Now you get it at 65 Irish army, navy, garda They can't recruit, people leaving at mass numbers, people got no interest.

[@Mrbuckaroonie..]

Seems to be the way with the whole Western World mate. @@derekobeirnes482

[@mattsmith-ri3lp]

And here we are, giving our equipment away to a lost cause

[@boblouden6663]

What lost cause,?

[@alexinanalogue2645]

@@boblouden6663 You living in a bubble?

[@boblouden6663]

@@alexinanalogue2645 yep out in a small country town, away from the bullshit of city life and dramas.

[@boblouden6663]

@@alexinanalogue2645 so instead of answering the question you reply with a question. I think you're the one living in a bubble. A bubble of wokness.

[@t-rex7796]

When is everyone going to make the connection?!!! Ever since we have allowed, and given air time to self righteous Karen’s and Kevin’s to tell everyone that everything we have done in the past is wrong, and that they know better, THINGS HAVE NEVER BEEN WORSE!!!! Just look at gen z, the product of this new way of doing things! Enough said!

[@BenjaminFrediani-xr9wo]

Look up: Albert Pike 3 world wars.

[@VK6AB-]

Well done Heston, you'll find many agree with your sentiments in regard to the shockingly poor standard of ADF leadership. This has been a long term problem +20 years. Strategic dunces and political mannequins, not all, but far too many. No dialogue with the broader Australian community and highly reactive "strategic" planning. This is not all the ADFs fault, the Libs and ALP have been clueless in regard to broader evolving strategy.

[@lj3276]

Mate they’ve worked out they are dying for a Pty Ltd company.

[@johnnytower6169]

They gave Serco so many contracts in the navy you could barely do your own job. They cooked all the food in the mess and basically all personnel ceased eating there, then the meals they bring to the ships alongside have “for prison or defence use only” stickers on them Complaints to the leadership always resulted in a group of officers giving the mess 2 weeks notice that they’ll be eating there to check the standard of food. Funny how the food was always good those nights

[@davidrolls1377]

I was going to leave a comment but what’s the point our politicians and our so called ADF “leaders” refuse to listen to anyone outside their own little echo chamber. What I will say is why would any young man want to put their lives on the line for a society that despises them.

[@MrNigelTBean]

If you want more recruits make the job and the aftercare attractive, you know like executive level health care, good pay, bonuses, opportunity of advancement.

[@seanyuke3249]

Very clear and concise Heston. I worked under Campbell too. He's a cockwomble in my humble opinion.

[@RossJones-w5z]

Nimrod from my experience, only interested in fluffy higher for his next job

[@davidpalmer4184]

A few thoughts, By the way Heston, love your work! 1. We need a government that loves Australia and doesn't try to divide us by race. We are all Australians. 2. I assume we are advertising recruitment in a "Gender" inclusive" environment. If you are a retailer you wouldn't advertise to the minority rather than the majority. 3. Agree with Heston about sacking the "rotten heads" in charge of the ADF and in Government service. It would greatly increase our current retention levels! 4. Encourage high schools to help re-start the Army cadet scheme and make kids who join feel proud about it instead of this "woke" stuff we need to wade through. 5. Stop Government spending on woke, treaty, gender and so many other things and we would have a shipload of money to reboot our defence force. 6. If we don't do all of the above we will not have an Australia to defend. I am a grumpy ex-grunt that is now in his sixties and occasionally I shout at clouds. Much love.

[@NeilAtkinson-sw6mx]

Thank you for your service Sir.

[@davidpalmer4184]

Best years of my life Neil and it's David, not Sir. I had to work for a living.@@NeilAtkinson-sw6mx

[@wastedpotato4555]

Who the fuq wants to fight to protect the government 😂

[@lordgarion514]

Military keeps people from showing up to take your land, and if that happened it would be the civilians getting killed, not the politicians. The politicians would bolt and go somewhere safe.

[@Mali-kuValdes]

Them shit cunts.go show us what ya made of pollies

[@bling2332]

why should I enlist if my own country does not support me...

[@chlomyster8526]

Watching from Canada same problem. New ships being delivered in a few years and won't have enough people to crew them. Even after offering accelerated pay and bonus sign up. Very understaffed all over.

[@R0d_1984]

It's by design, part of the plan...

[@Kektamusprime]

because the majority are still white people in both Aus and Can, why would any of us join when we are told just for enjoying our history we are racist and im ex Aus infantry, let the diversity group andd lbgt go fight russia

[@wayneparker9331]

Australia is facing recruiting problems that are exactly like those faced by the US military and for the same reason. In both countries, very big shifts in socio-cultural attitudes have resulted in military flag rank officers openly espousing the need to change long-standing policies that did not allow homosexuals, transvestites, and other people with gender dysphoria or other mental disorders from serving. Exacerbating the problem is the open warfare in PR terms on heterosexual males (particularly white males) who have been the backbone of both militaries for literal centuries. The combination of these two trends means that millions of young men of military age who might have considered serving will not choose to do so unless and until there is a national crisis, and maybe not even then. And for those who haven’t figured it out, this was always the Left’s, i.e., the cultural Marxists’, plan.

[@sylviam6535]

This all feels like subversion.

[@colinmeehan791]

Campbell is weak,zero charachter.

[@anthonyburke5656]

A decade ago I had a conversation with a junior officer in the Australian Army, he and I were old friends, he was a friend of my son while they were at Duntroon. At the time of this conversation, he was about to go on his second “deployment” to Afghanistan. I chatted with him about his aims, objectives and ambitions. The topic of “his men” from his 1st tour arose, I asked him where they were and what they were now doing, how many were still in the Army, how many were out and why. Of the 20 odd “Other Ranks” he had led in Afghanistan, he could tell me where 1 was and what he was doing. The reason he knew where that 1 was, he came from the same country town and his mother knew his mother!

[@charliemarkovic4301]

We trialled a great idea back in 1991 called the Ready Reserve. It involves 12 months of training and full-time service, followed by reserve service for six years at 50 reserve training days per year.

[@charliemarkovic4301]

@@paulkruger3050 Military Service* * Individual experiences may vary.

[@pwillis1589]

@@paulkruger3050 Not so. The RR was closed down for budgetary measures by the Howard government in 1996, and a cheaper scheme called the High Readiness Reserve and Reserve Response Force were introduced. These two schemes were eventually both shut down and conceded by the Liberal government as failures. A report by the ADF conceded the RR was a far more effective use of resources.

[@tobyc4957]

Seriously, we're letting a bloke who sound like he was just taught english 5mins ago tell us how we Australian should live, how sad that our leaders are so free to do what ever they want and we can't do shit.

[@lasersharks]

I put in my application in August last year and I’ve been contacted 3 times since I called up many times but get the whole “ we have a massive back log of candidates from the previous recruit company, been waiting on psych test part. I’m just going to withdraw at this point. In the mean time I changed career and I’m enjoying it a lot. It’s embarrassing it’s taken this long and I’m still no where near enlistment

[@Sw-nv4hw]

There you go its all smoke and mirrors and lies. We have infiltated not invaded.

[@Modern_Man]

I come from a military family, all males in my family for generations have been in the armed forces including the SAS. I think I can speak somewhat of what is happening to a degree with recruitment and national pride. I think one the main reasons is that the country unfortunately is not worth fighting for any more compared to what it once was, and I say that because within the current political climate, it is increasingly run by activists, far-left politicians and their woke ideologies which form a large portion of politics today, and they point to a country to be ashamed of, a country they want to divide. Why would someone want to fight and potentially die keeping these activist, and agenda driven politicians who don't even know what a man or woman is anymore in power. Who wants to risk their life for people like that, certainly not me, and certainly not for a lot of people. My father was a national serviceman during the vietnam war, my brother was in the SAS, and they unanimously said if the political ideology of today was the same back when they were joining the army, there is not a chance they would have joined. Back during WW2, it was a time where society by and large was more wholesome, God fearing, and it was a society worth fighting to protect, we do not live in a society like that anymore, and this recruitment problem will never change in the west.

[@squidjames7735]

I read it as ‘ADF should consider contraception’ …

[@johnmhaydon]

Heston is an amazing spokesman for great ideas.

[@spikeprotein5924]

A gay icon.

[@pookeyhutchison7838]

Totally agree with Heston. Angus Campbell needs to go ASAP.

[@sdev2749]

The recruitment videos of the 80's and early 90's were awesome and awe inspiring for nationalistic pride and patriotism - I remember them well because they inspired me to join. They are still there to watch on KZbin actually

[@paulwojo5741]

Governments 2nd biggest mistake was putting Angus Campbell in the top job, their biggest mistake was extending his term. Bring back Mark Binskin, the dude knew how to connect to troops, comes into the hangar in the middle east and plonks himself on a chair "How the F*** r u boys?!" Spirits lifted 100000000%. I'll never forget it!

[@yilgiddie]

Heston Russell is a credible and passionate advocate for leadership change in the military. The current leadership appears to have no desire to front the PM and Cabinet and demand approval for strategic changes which recognise and address the geopolitical threats our country currently faces. Perhaps the leadership is not up to it - in which case, it requires someone else who has the balls to do the job (which, incidentally and incredibly, pays a salary approximating $900,000). Equally, the Defence Department appears to be a law unto itself and, much like other government departments, seems to drive its own agenda - rather than being directed by the politicians it is supposed to serve. It desperately needs a clean-out. Their annual budget of $40 billion is certainly not producing what is needed to even adequately defend our country. I’m probably going to get into trouble for expressing my views, but this needs to be recognised and said.

[@lesoheir8884]

Heston, you are a legend who totally understand, keep fighting.

[@taxbackjack1]

Erin you are Brainy Barbie. Respect.

[@keithchessell6308]

I served as a sapper and was a 3rd gen soldier dating back to WW1. I left the service in disgust at the deliberate dismantling of Australian Army traditions with streamlined multi service logistics and the gradual introduction of civilians within the service, effectively destroying the fragile morale as it was headed anyway. The upper command rot began in earnest in the 80s imo but blossomed by the mid to late 90s and then became politically motivated rather than defence motivated. What were we defending from Vietnam, Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq being on someone else's sovereign soil with live rounds in the mag? Fighting wars you can't win as no decision was ever made to win them. Fuck the 'white papers' and the idiots who write them.

[@paulstefanovich5217]

Using the military as covid enforcers killed it for me

[@rob9263]

Very well said Heston . . . . Change is needed, starting with our current government.

[@madman026]

yeah well Woke culture is to blame

[@C.Griffin]

I was denied a job transfer within the army because my Race and Gender did not meet the priorities and criteria of the cheif. So I discharged and went to a place that doesn't discriminate against a white male. I now have my technical trade and will never recommend defence to anyone.

[@lyradiation]

Thank you Heston, well said.

[@Gumbatron01]

"War is a racket." - Major General Smedley Butler

[@4fouryou175]

We need people like Heston to lead our military.

[@billywaters6955]

This is our motherland and we need to protect , preserve professionally.

[@moe2470]

Bring back nasho for long term unemployed.

[@davegoldspink5354]

Here here!

[@Mali-kuValdes]

I'm 38 ill go! not unemployed out of work right now it's tuff to get a good run as an abo tradie this shit ain't working there's gotta be something

[@petervik5399]

Great Erin, these are the conversations we should be having. Well instructed from different points of view meeting up into compromise of opions...

[@SigmaLegendus69]

1) Australia is kinda safe from WW3, A) we have the nature B) Geography is not in-between dangerous borders between 2 or more nations 2) We have nuke subs but it can only be used as a last resort but more branches. A) Our military technology is not as advanced as the US just barely enough but not enough. B) While we may lack the number of branches, having more could be benificial but not necessarily important.

[@jamieosborne331]

Heston is on point! Love his ideas but also agree that this needs to be mandatory as it will also fix our current poor behaviour of youth and lack of drive and direction once they finish school. I’m a teacher myself and I see to many kids falling through the cracks when they could be doing a positive manditory service for 12 months minimum ❤ We need respect and pride back into Australia 🇦🇺

[@DEaN0886]

Heston speaks on the matter with more integrity ( he’s been there in the dirt and fire ) than any Australian military leader or expert I’ve ever listened to. Probably why he wasn’t promoted.

[@bernie8987]

The politicians and defence leaders don’t look after the military during or after serving and throw them under the bus on a whim.

[@richardtonkin8981]

Not fighting for a country which doesn't fight for you.

[@johnmurray8267]

School Cadets was an excellent introduction in 1970s to recruiting 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@JAAndakian]

Now that is a news reporter!

[@anthonykuster4192]

A good start would be for that disgraceful General Angus Campbell resign absolutely!!

[@Pulsed101]

Agree with Heston Russell. We need honest and peace focused leadership. No more war for economic / political gain. Focus on peace in ALL ways, always. If you still think the 1% aren't attempting the ultimate power play, you're living in a dream world.

[@davidnikon8501]

This recruitment is a worldwide problem, nothing unique what's happening here in Australia 🇦🇺

[@TheyDaredMightily]

National service needs to come back asap it would straighten out and harden up alot of the piss weak kids growing up right now, i wish it was around when i was 17-18, 1 year of full training would change alot of young people away from drugs crime alcohol etc

[@owainlloyddavies7107]

In ancient Athens, the men who voted for war were the ones who would go and make up the front line of the battle formations. We should revitalise this culture

[@Aaronsmith-cu8ii]

Yes Athenians we’re also citizen Soldiers, virtually every male Athenian from 13 to 60 could be called up to arms.

[@owainlloyddavies7107]

@Aaronsmith-cu8ii true, but the people who will be calling us to arms will be sitting in little bunkers having steak and wine, I'd rather have the man who sends me to my death leading and dying with me then living comfortably

[@Aaronsmith-cu8ii]

Don't worry we have both classes on men in this country that will do that and if they keep going down this road you may end up realising your prediction @@owainlloyddavies7107

[@TruBluOffroad]

Spot on!! Out with the politicians that are in charge of the ADF. Heston you hit the nail on the head with every word you say!!!

[@stevewiles7132]

The diversity quota should be given first chance at the front, they shouldn't be denied the chance.

[@bloodnguts4828]

International Convention concerning the Laws and Customs of War on Land [Hague IV] (The Hague, 18 October 1907) Entry into force for Australia and generally: 26 January 1910. Article 45 It is forbidden to force the inhabitants of occupied territory to swear allegiance to the hostile Power.

[@JohnMcGillivray-u4b]

When Army Reserve specific training changed to the reservists having to do weeks at Kapooka, and then every course they do to get qualified to do the job is also weeks and weeks, enough skill could be given in the previous 2 week training blocks Reservists used to do and then hone the skills back at their unit. I speak from experience here. How many people can join the army reserve and then hit there employer up for multiple months per year to train and do ARA courses? Under the 2 week system I seen many join the regular army and go on to have worthwhile careers.

[@billygibson2613]

National service give the young people money and trade and respect to the country two years national service very good policy 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@barnsy4854]

Heston bang on once again. Bloody legend.

[@GregMoylan-pn6sr]

Go no further than reading "Our Culture" on the Royal Australian Airforce website's About Us/Overview page. What is it about promoting a culture of "Gender diversity, Religious and ethnic diversity, Indigenous participation and LGBTIQ+ inclusion" that fails to float my boat? Wonder how our next generation of potential war fighters feel about this inspired declaration from the top brass?

[@sylviam6535]

Wokeness ruins everything.

[@glennbarton8265]

As a 19 year veteran I totally agree with Heston

[@chrisdebeyer1108]

One of the Best Interviews! Very well conducted and stated. Must be replayed often especially to Government and relevant departments!!

[@GLB-f7s]

When the CDF is hellbent on taking medals off thousands of people who were actually in a warzone, when he can't even explain what he got his DSC for, Heston is right - Campbell has to go!

[@AlexMooibroek]

Angus Campbell is the reason why we don't have a defence force.

[@liam4295]

Most people can’t even fathom joining the army. It needs to play a bigger part in our culture if they want more people to join.

[@seal1mas]

Heston Russell for PM !

[@darrenyorston]

As a veteran of 26 years service in the ADF with two deployments to the Middle East I would say that the Australian government cares little about those that have served the country. Its veterans department does its utmost to nit pick and deny helping veterans. Veterans constantly encounter medical professionals that wont accept DVA patients or wont help veterans deal with DVA. Its youthful enthusiasm which the military is built upon, but once that enthusiasm wains Defence will kick you to the kerb and abandon you.

[@SHERRYBABU555]

Lot of kids on streets will get an opportunity to focus and to lead a quality life..Away from Addiction trouble and anti Social behaviour. This should be implemented from the schools Secondary level onwards.Or our country will have a group of hooligans.

[@And_rew92]

Heston is one switched on bloke. We need him at the head of our defence force, he'll sort it right out.