The Australian military has followed Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and New Zealand in deciding that letting women into all roles of the military is not that bad an idea.
I knew my love affair with all things Australian was justified. If it weren't for absolutely stupid gun laws, I'd move there and become a citizen.
So, yea. Aussie women can go into battle as infantry now. Who's excited about it? Who things America and Britain need to follow the Aussies, Canucks, Jerries, and Frogs?
So, yea. Aussie women can go into battle as infantry now. Who's excited about it? Who things America and Britain need to follow the Aussies, Canucks, Jerries, and Frogs?
Excited? Not particularly. But it is nice to see more countries valuing gender equality.
Slightly off topic, but what are Australia's gun laws?
So, yea. Aussie women can go into battle as infantry now. Who's excited about it? Who things America and Britain need to follow the Aussies, Canucks, Jerries, and Frogs?Excited? Not particularly. But it is nice to see more countries valuing gender equality.
Slightly off topic, but what are Australia's gun laws?
Somewhere between strict and totally unreasonable. You can get them, it just isn't easy. At all. As liberal as I am, I feel that aside from keeping guns away from violent felons and the insane, gun control has no real benefit, and that as long as you do not belong to one of the two groups mentioned above, you should be able to arm yourself.
Lame. I love my gun (slightly more than I love cinnamon whiskey, slightly less than I love my cats).
Lame. I love my gun (slightly more than I love cinnamon whiskey, slightly less than I love my cats).
I love guns too, but I don't have one. I don't need my little brother getting his hands on one. Plus, I'm moving out of state to go to school soon, and the school I'm going to has a no weapons policy.
Horrid gun laws aside, if I had the money, I might still shoot for a visa.
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It should be noted that no women have as yet been approved to fight in frontline, infantry combat roles in the ADF. The legislation is in place, some commentary I heard on the issue a couple of weeks ago suggested it will likely be minimum two years before we actually have women serving in those roles.
It should also be noted that women have been serving in frontline and combat roles (but not frontline infantry) in the ADF for decades.
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Slightly off topic, but what are Australia's gun laws?
To summarise, you must apply for a license, to gain a license you must show genuine reason why you need to own a gun (self defence is not considered a genuine reason under Australian law), there is a one month period after getting the license before you can actually buy a firearm, there are (apparently) some fairly thorough background checks (I believe you can’t legally own a gun if you have a criminal record or have been diagnosed with certain mental illnesses) and the number and types of guns that you can own are (to my understanding) more strict than in the US.
Slightly off topic, but what are Australia's gun laws?To summarise, you must apply for a license, to gain a license you must show genuine reason why you need to own a gun (self defence is not considered a genuine reason under Australian law), there is a one month period after getting the license before you can actually buy a firearm, there are (apparently) some fairly thorough background checks (I believe you can’t legally own a gun if you have a criminal record or have been diagnosed with certain mental illnesses) and the number and types of guns that you can own are (to my understanding) more strict than in the US.
Yes, and self defense not being a valid reason to own a weapon is b&*$##&s.
I agree completely. I grew up in a very poor neighborhood. Self defense and violence deterence were the best reasons for having guns. My fiance is from the UK and when he first came to the US he was completely surprised by how many people had guns, and how many of those people had guns on them at any given time. He asked me why I have a gun and he is still mystified to this day that my answer was simply "to protect myself from people with guns." Culture shock an all that. I think we may need a thread on guns before we completely derail this one (even more).
I'd heard of women on the front lines before, but I didnt realise it wasnt quite so far-reaching. This is good to see.
At risk of derailing this thread any further, are our gun laws really so bad down here? I sleep a lot easier knowing I don't need to carry a gun to feel safe, and I'm sure the sport shooters can wait a bloody month to keep the guns away from the crazies.
I think it's a bit laxer up in Darwin, thanks to the crocs and all.
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It should be noted that no women have as yet been approved to fight in frontline, infantry combat roles in the ADF. The legislation is in place, some commentary I heard on the issue a couple of weeks ago suggested it will likely be minimum two years before we actually have women serving in those roles.
It should also be noted that women have been serving in frontline and combat roles (but not frontline infantry) in the ADF for decades.
Actually, just read a bit further on this. The legislation will be phased in over 5 years from 2012.
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I'd heard of women on the front lines before, but I didnt realise it wasnt quite so far-reaching. This is good to see.
At risk of derailing this thread any further, are our gun laws really so bad down here? I sleep a lot easier knowing I don't need to carry a gun to feel safe, and I'm sure the sport shooters can wait a bloody month to keep the guns away from the crazies.
I think it's a bit laxer up in Darwin, thanks to the crocs and all.
I think it's largely a cultural thing. Australian gun laws probably look as crazy to the majority of Americans (or so I’m given to understand) as gun laws in the US look to the majority of Australians. And it’s one of those issues that people on both sides tend to get very emotional about. Violent crimes rates, and whether they increase or decrease with stricter gun laws are always debated, and people on both sides seem able to pull out dubious statistics and reports to support their point of view.
Of course there are a lot of people in Australia who think our guns laws are too strict as well. Interestingly enough though, the debate for and against in Australia only rarely seems to touch on self defence as a good reason for owning guns. As far as I can tell the majority of that minority of people here who support laxer gun laws just want to be able to own more, bigger and more highly automated weapons for their sports shooting and hunting. You don’t really hear the ‘I’d feel safer carrying a gun’ argument much here (in my experience).
And yeah mate, if a drop bear is close enough that you can shoot it, it’s already too late...
I'd heard of women on the front lines before, but I didnt realise it wasnt quite so far-reaching. This is good to see.
At risk of derailing this thread any further, are our gun laws really so bad down here? I sleep a lot easier knowing I don't need to carry a gun to feel safe, and I'm sure the sport shooters can wait a bloody month to keep the guns away from the crazies.
I think it's a bit laxer up in Darwin, thanks to the crocs and all.
Australia just doesn't have a high crime rate, period. Giving more people guns won't change that. You guys just don't have a particularly crime ridden society. It's America and Britain that have issues, and Britain's handgun ban has accomplished nothing at all. The issue with Aussie gun laws is that they make self defense an illegitimate reason to own a gun, and I feel that is wrong. It doesn't really cause issues due to the low Aussie crime rate, but I stand against it on principle.
Actually, just read a bit further on this. The legislation will be phased in over 5 years from 2012.It should be noted that no women have as yet been approved to fight in frontline, infantry combat roles in the ADF. The legislation is in place, some commentary I heard on the issue a couple of weeks ago suggested it will likely be minimum two years before we actually have women serving in those roles.
It should also be noted that women have been serving in frontline and combat roles (but not frontline infantry) in the ADF for decades.
It may take time to implement, but what matters is that it happened.
I'd heard of women on the front lines before, but I didnt realise it wasnt quite so far-reaching. This is good to see.
At risk of derailing this thread any further, are our gun laws really so bad down here? I sleep a lot easier knowing I don't need to carry a gun to feel safe, and I'm sure the sport shooters can wait a bloody month to keep the guns away from the crazies.
I think it's a bit laxer up in Darwin, thanks to the crocs and all.
I think it's largely a cultural thing. Australian gun laws probably look as crazy to the majority of Americans (or so I’m given to understand) as gun laws in the US look to the majority of Australians. And it’s one of those issues that people on both sides tend to get very emotional about. Violent crimes rates, and whether they increase or decrease with stricter gun laws are always debated, and people on both sides seem able to pull out dubious statistics and reports to support their point of view.
Of course there are a lot of people in Australia who think our guns laws are too strict as well. Interestingly enough though, the debate for and against in Australia only rarely seems to touch on self defence as a good reason for owning guns. As far as I can tell the majority of that minority of people here who support laxer gun laws just want to be able to own more, bigger and more highly automated weapons for their sports shooting and hunting. You don’t really hear the ‘I’d feel safer carrying a gun’ argument much here (in my experience).
And yeah mate, if a drop bear is close enough that you can shoot it, it’s already too late...
I do my best not to flame and name call over it, but I do feel strongly about gun rights.
I think the reason self defense doesn't come up a lot is because of the low crime rate. I bet if it looked like America's, things would be different.
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Yeah, fair enough. I’m not calling anyone out, but I’ve seen people on both sides of the debate get pretty passionate about it. And it’s really hard to find unbiased, conclusive data on the subject of gun ownership laws and violent crime (you usually find that this or that report or study was commissioned by a group with an interest on one side of the debate or the other, or that different experts draw very different conclusions from the same data).
As such I usually try to stay out of such debates and just feel thankful that I live somewhere where I don’t feel like I need to own a gun to feel safe, and where I can feel pretty confident that if I get into an argument with my neighbour, or if I go out to confront the guys trying to steal the hot water heater from the side of my house, or if a drunk guy takes a swing at me when I tell him to piss off and stop harassing people, that none of them will be carrying a gun either.
Well, women have been able to serve on the front line in the Danish military since 1988. As fighter pilots since 1992.
We have lost one woman in action in Afghanistan (IED - June 1st 2010).
Well, women have been able to serve on the front line in the Danish military since 1988. As fighter pilots since 1992.
We have lost one woman in action in Afghanistan (IED - June 1st 2010).
Times, they are changing. Don't Sweden and Norway have female infantry, too? It seems vikings like warrior women.
I also heard something about the Irish having a gender neutral military.
Well, women have been able to serve on the front line in the Danish military since 1988. As fighter pilots since 1992.
We have lost one woman in action in Afghanistan (IED - June 1st 2010).Times, they are changing. Don't Sweden and Norway have female infantry, too? It seems vikings like warrior women.
I also heard something about the Irish having a gender neutral military.
Yes, they can serve in combat roles in Norway and Sweden too. Don't know about Ireland, though.
More info here:Wikipedia: Women in the military
Well, women have been able to serve on the front line in the Danish military since 1988. As fighter pilots since 1992.
We have lost one woman in action in Afghanistan (IED - June 1st 2010).Times, they are changing. Don't Sweden and Norway have female infantry, too? It seems vikings like warrior women.
I also heard something about the Irish having a gender neutral military.
Yes, they can serve in combat roles in Norway and Sweden too. Don't know about Ireland, though.
More info here:
Wikipedia: Women in the military
Wikipedia sez:
Ireland
The Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1979, allowed women to join the Irish Defence Forces for the first time and was passed by the Oireachtas in 1979.[21] There are no restrictions for women to the "full range of operational and administrative duties."[22] As of January 2010 the number of women in the Permanent Defence Forces is 565, 5.7 percent of the total.[23]
Sounds like a gender neutral military to me.
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Yeah, fair enough. I’m not calling anyone out, but I’ve seen people on both sides of the debate get pretty passionate about it. And it’s really hard to find unbiased, conclusive data on the subject of gun ownership laws and violent crime (you usually find that this or that report or study was commissioned by a group with an interest on one side of the debate or the other, or that different experts draw very different conclusions from the same data).
As such I usually try to stay out of such debates and just feel thankful that I live somewhere where I don’t feel like I need to own a gun to feel safe, and where I can feel pretty confident that if I get into an argument with my neighbour, or if I go out to confront the guys trying to steal the hot water heater from the side of my house, or if a drunk guy takes a swing at me when I tell him to piss off and stop harassing people, that none of them will be carrying a gun either.
Unless you work the land are a sporting shooter or a professional hunter... most Australians do not see a need to own firearms.
Growing up in the country I was taught how to use them but for me they were a dangerous tool. I have no more love for a gun than I do for a hammer.
Women in the military in front line combat roles - I have no problem with as long as they can meet the requirements for the role just like any other soldier.
Our front line people are selected because they are better then the enemy physically mentally and professionally. Like any sporting team you field the people that can win the game for you.
I don't care if you are purple, blue, or green, worship the flying spaghetti monster or think that the Star Wars prequels were good.... as long as you can do what is required then you are in, but if we make special exceptions to the requirements because you are a unique butterfly then you are putting other peoples lives at risk and that is stupid in the extreme.
Now of course there is an exception to the unique butterfly rule... If we are in a situation similar to World War 2 and we are fighting to maintain our universe as we like it then the more people we can field the better as the ADF are no-longer maintain its self as a small professional force but are in survival of the state mode.
I don't care if you are purple, blue, or green, worship the flying spaghetti monster or think that the Star Wars prequels were good
I have to object to that last bit. Anyone with that level of mental defect should not be allowed to operate a spork, much less a tank. :)
I don't care if you are purple, blue, or green, worship the flying spaghetti monster or think that the Star Wars prequels were goodI have to object to that last bit. Anyone with that level of mental defect should not be allowed to operate a spork, much less a tank. :)
Somewhere between strict and totally unreasonable. You can get them, it just isn't easy. At all. As liberal as I am, I feel that aside from keeping guns away from violent felons and the insane, gun control has no real benefit, and that as long as you do not belong to one of the two groups mentioned above, you should be able to arm yourself.There's nothing proposed that would prevent that. The major issue with gun control is leakage of guns from states with no controls on sales at all, to states that do have controls. It's the bloody gun fairs in those states which are the problem. The only solution at this point is to make gun control a federal standard, not a state by state one. In otherwords eliminate the loopholes that a Mack truck can drive through.
Ever state in the Union regulates and licenses who is allowed to drive on our roads, I fail to see the logic on not doing so with deadly weapons as well.
Need I point you to the purely cosmetic and stupid Assault Weapons Ban?
As for gun control being a federal standard, fine. Then California will finally have some of the more egregious stuff off the books.
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Somewhere between strict and totally unreasonable. You can get them, it just isn't easy. At all. As liberal as I am, I feel that aside from keeping guns away from violent felons and the insane, gun control has no real benefit, and that as long as you do not belong to one of the two groups mentioned above, you should be able to arm yourself.There's nothing proposed that would prevent that. The major issue with gun control is leakage of guns from states with no controls on sales at all, to states that do have controls. It's the bloody gun fairs in those states which are the problem. The only solution at this point is to make gun control a federal standard, not a state by state one. In otherwords eliminate the loopholes that a Mack truck can drive through.
Ever state in the Union regulates and licenses who is allowed to drive on our roads, I fail to see the logic on not doing so with deadly weapons as well.
Dude. Cars are deadly f+%%in weapons. Obviously you have not been biking lately. (Actually I think that accident I saw today was a bike and a pedestrian, but whatevs.)
[/threadjack]. .
[threadjack]I declare this thread the Talk About Australia thread! Now, I always thought "dropbears" was just more weird Australian slang for "crocodiles."
[threadjack]I declare this thread the Talk About Australia thread! Now, I always thought "dropbears" was just more weird Australian slang for "crocodiles."If you throw shrimp on the Barbie, what do you throw on Ken?
Kerosene.
Stupid? Assault weapons do not belong in the hands of civilians... period. They're no good for hunting, and not for home defense. They're for killing lots of people at once. I wouldn't expect to get a driving license for an Abrams tank either.Somewhere between strict and totally unreasonable. You can get them, it just isn't easy. At all. As liberal as I am, I feel that aside from keeping guns away from violent felons and the insane, gun control has no real benefit, and that as long as you do not belong to one of the two groups mentioned above, you should be able to arm yourself.There's nothing proposed that would prevent that. The major issue with gun control is leakage of guns from states with no controls on sales at all, to states that do have controls. It's the bloody gun fairs in those states which are the problem. The only solution at this point is to make gun control a federal standard, not a state by state one. In otherwords eliminate the loopholes that a Mack truck can drive through.
Ever state in the Union regulates and licenses who is allowed to drive on our roads, I fail to see the logic on not doing so with deadly weapons as well.
Need I point you to the purely cosmetic and stupid Assault Weapons Ban?
As for gun control being a federal standard, fine. Then California will finally have some of the more egregious stuff off the books.
It's stupid because existing laws already handled automatic firearms in such a way that a legally acquired automatic firearm hasn't been used in a crime in decades. The assault weapons ban was therefore unnecessary.
Second, the whole idea of an assault weapon is stupid, as it is basically a category applied to any gun that looks scary. Here is the definition of an assault weapon from Wikipedia:
Semi-automatic rifles able to accept detachable magazines and two or more of the following:
* Folding or telescoping stock
* Pistol grip
* Bayonet mount
* Flash suppressor, or threaded barrel designed to accommodate one
* Grenade launcher (more precisely, a muzzle device which enables the launching or firing of rifle grenades)
Semi-automatic pistols with detachable magazines and two or more of the following:
* Magazine that attaches outside the pistol grip
* Threaded barrel to attach barrel extender, flash suppressor, handgrip, or suppressor
* Barrel shroud that can be used as a hand-hold
* Unloaded weight of 50 oz (1.4 kg) or more
* A semi-automatic version of an automatic firearm
Semi-automatic shotguns with two or more of the following:
* Folding or telescoping stock
* Pistol grip
* Fixed capacity of more than 5 rounds
* Detachable magazine
Folding stocks, pistol grips, barrel extenders, handgrips, barrel shrouds that can be used as handholds, high capacity magazines, and detachable magazines all have legitimate civilian uses, grenade launchers are covered under other laws, bayonets are not particularly useful in crime (or anything else, for that matter), and pistol magazines that load outside the pistol grip are no more threatening than those that do (and are rather clumsy).
In short, the ban is f+@!ing retarded. Most of the stuff that defines an assault weapon either has legitimate uses or isn't going to be more lethal than something that lacks such attributes. All it is is a completely useless feel good measure that bans things that look scary.
Oh, and it's legal to possess a functioning tank in the US. It's ammunition and parts for the weapons you can't have. Granted, I have no idea where you could actually buy an Abrams. I'm pretty sure nobody is selling.
I don't care if you are purple, blue, or green, worship the flying spaghetti monster or think that the Star Wars prequels were goodI have to object to that last bit. Anyone with that level of mental defect should not be allowed to operate a spork, much less a tank. :)
Sometimes you need people that have the ability to deny to themselves that they are suffering such a extreme level of mental anguish and torture and still function in a close to normal state.
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Back before we were a relatively low crime country, our crime rate pre gun control was pretty bad. Those who are avid followers of Australian history might thump a finger down at any point in Australian history and find everything from armed insurection, through to outright mutiny, mass killings, armed robbery through the wazzoo and onward.
There is no need to have a gun for self defence in this country. None. All someone having a gun will do is make things worse, and probably (ironically) get more people killed.
I am happy that our gun laws are tighter than a ducks behind, as average people do not need a gun, and indeed the average person is placed at risk by other people having them.
We went through that phase of being able to buy firearms readily, and when we showed it was ridiculous and we as a populace couldn't play nicely, the Govt bought them all back from us and brought in tough laws.
How many mass shootings in schools does it take for America to change? Dunno, maybe you are just really slow learners.
We had (in quick succession) Burwood Mall, Strathfield Plaza, then Hoddle St and finally a mass shooting at Port Arthur and then we decided that was too many - we haven't had a Columbine. If having us all hand in our guns prevents one more of these then it wa a wise decision.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm a happy gun loving right winger, but that doesn't mean I can't see the common sense in restricting the types of firearms available and making sure they are in the hands of people with legit reasons to have them, or for enthusiasts, securely held at the range under strict controls.
These 'I need it so I'll be safe' people walking abut with a siege mentality are a menace to society. When you assume everyone else is out to get you, it doesn't take long for you decide to get in first.
Shifty I gather you are or were a Digger (Australian soldier) what is your opinion on women in front line roles.
Back before we were a relatively low crime country, our crime rate pre gun control was pretty bad. Those who are avid followers of Australian history might thump a finger down at any point in Australian history and find everything from armed insurection, through to outright mutiny, mass killings, armed robbery through the wazzoo and onward.
There is no need to have a gun for self defence in this country. None. All someone having a gun will do is make things worse, and probably (ironically) get more people killed.
I am happy that our gun laws are tighter than a ducks behind, as average people do not need a gun, and indeed the average person is placed at risk by other people having them.
We went through that phase of being able to buy firearms readily, and when we showed it was ridiculous and we as a populace couldn't play nicely, the Govt bought them all back from us and brought in tough laws.
How many mass shootings in schools does it take for America to change? Dunno, maybe you are just really slow learners.
We had (in quick succession) Burwood Mall, Strathfield Plaza, then Hoddle St and finally a mass shooting at Port Arthur and then we decided that was too many - we haven't had a Columbine. If having us all hand in our guns prevents one more of these then it wa a wise decision.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm a happy gun loving right winger, but that doesn't mean I can't see the common sense in restricting the types of firearms available and making sure they are in the hands of people with legit reasons to have them, or for enthusiasts, securely held at the range under strict controls.
These 'I need it so I'll be safe' people walking abut with a siege mentality are a menace to society. When you assume everyone else is out to get you, it doesn't take long for you decide to get in first.
I should have never mentioned gun control in this thread. It was stupid of me to bring it up. I could tear this post to pieces, and you'd just tear back. Let's just drop the subject.
Funny you should mention that 8th :p
We were having this debate in the full and passionate way that blokes do sitting around in a Regiment boozer, and the opinion was divided thus.
One lot were dead set against it; Infantrymen are a bunch of 'blokes' living a rough life with other rough men and engaging in rough humour in dark situations, they felt a little uncomfortbale with having a lady present for many reasons, but a lot came down to the notion that Inf guys are all about 'fitting in' and being very same-same. Its a very 'male' environment and some of the carry on and aggro is not something they (culturally) feel is something they'd want a woman to part of/exposed to.
Now its interesting because whils it is a very macho environment, it can be pretty inclusive, race isn't a big issue, and gay guys are a pretty much non-issue.
On my own reflection on how women fit in with a Rifle Company I first start by looking at it a bit dispassionately and getting to the basics. Having a willy is not a passport to the frontline, let alone into the defence force. Indeed its not a case of man v woman, most men wouldn't make the grade, the question is, how many women would be able to get to the tough standards.
Infantry life is pretty harsh and quite physically demanding, and requires extensive periods off in desolate conditions working day in day out doing havy physical labour - how many women are going to sign up to that?
There's a range of other social issues to deal with, such as what happens when one gets shot, but if I'm not going to stop an assault to patch up a mate, the chances of me stopping on the basis that you have girly plumbing is equally zero.
So what happens?
As long as the standards remain rigourous and relevant to the calling of Infanteering, and there is no watering down for political reasons, then I don't mind (personally) who takes a shot at the job. It's a tough gig, and any woman who can get to that level of sheer physical strength and robustness really should be admired. I can't think we will ever see any women in SF though, as the standards are so off the scale they border on superhuman, but who knows, I'd like to think there's people who could.
Women have been on the 'frontline' for years, mainly because there really hasn't BEEN a frontline for years... insurgencies are a bit like that. State v State fighting is different, but we don't see much of that now, and future conflicts are all going to be pretty much about suppressing nasties, not State forces.
* Austral I'd take the Pepsi challenge with that, I can't think of a single saving grace you'd have to your argument that more liberal gun ownership would be a 'good thing' when we have decades of clear cut indisputable evidence to the complete contrary. On an individual level - as a citizen I think it's a bad idea, as a prson who grew up in some of the worst most viloent crime ridden areas of this country I think its a bad idea, as a person who spent time in rural areas where a gun was a legit tool of trade I think its a bad idea, being previously involved in the protection industry I think its a bad idea, and as a soldier I think it's a bad idea.
Your recreational needs, or psychological neurosis, is in no way shape or form a legit reason to place the safety of others at significant and unnecessary risk. We don't let you drink drive either, no matter how much you like beer and cars.
Drop. The. Talk. About. Gun. Control. I am not having this argument anymore. I should have never brought it up. It was rather stupid of me to do so. I won't convince you, you won't convince me. All we'll do is piss each other off and then the mods will have to clean up after us. It's not worth it.
Edit: I flagged this so that I could ask a mod to please back me up. I was stupid to bring up gun control and I'd appreciate an official mod request to drop the topic.
No worries.
There's little point debating it for two reasons:
Australia is not America, we cut guns to cut crime years ago - and there's no way we will ever go back.
America has a range of socio-political and socio-economic differences to us, which drives the gun debate in this country that we just don't have here.
Any complaints you have won't change our legislation, and nothing I say will change your Govts mind either.
If you have a legit purpose to have a gun here, you can get one.
If you don't have a legit purpose, you can't.
Reckon that makes sense enough to me.
Edit: I flagged this so that I could ask a mod to please back me up. I was stupid to bring up gun control and I'd appreciate an official mod request to drop the topic.
Sorry, what does that mean? I'm hoping you aren't suggesting that because you have changed your mind about having a discussion you are now asking a mod to come in here and begin enforcing your decision to change subjects and thereby censor and censure those who don't do as you demand. That would be outrageous.
I flagged the topic because I was stupid to bring it up, and there is a another thread for that debate. I feel justified is asking a mod to ask people to take that subject elsewhere. As I said, I shouldn't have brought it up, and I admit my mistake. There is nothing wrong with asking the mods to have people take this debate to the appropriate thread.
Well that sounds a little more reasonable than what you just stated.
On the other hand, please point me to the Australian gun control thread.
Back on topic, I have answered what I think about female infanteers.
You just posted in it. It's gun control in general, not Australian gun control. BigNorseWolf made it after seeing the issue brought up in this thread.
You just posted in it. It's gun control in general, not Australian gun control. BigNorseWolf made it after seeing the issue brought up in this thread.
Uhuh, and that thread is a US-centric thread.
Anyhow, we have moved on in this one... all you had to do was ask politely, allow the right of reply to others, and then we all moved on - no mods required. See? aren't us Aussies a polite bunch?
Yes. The issue that shall not be spoken of is the only real issue I have with you guys. Well, that and
I quite like Australians, and would probably enjoy living in Australia.
How long did you serve with the Australian Army? What was your occupation? I did a stint in the US Navy myself, but it was cut short by medical issues, so I never actually performed the job (Advanced Electronics Field) that I enlisted to do.
How long did you serve with the Australian Army?
I'll tell you when I have finished serving :p
The bit about the 'models' never got up, but was fuelled off the back of the anti-paedophilia sensationalism and knee-jerk we have going on.
How long did you serve with the Australian Army?I'll tell you when I have finished serving :p
What do you do?
Inf.
Is it true that Australia allows openly gay military personnel? We Yanks just got around to doing so.
Is it also true that Australia has more military women than most countries?
Also,
Is it true that Australia allows openly gay military personnel?
It's just a non-conversation, not quite don't ask/don't tell, but rather 'we aren't interested so its not a discussion issue'. Openly GLBT have been accepted since 1992, but that said there have always been gays in.
What is worth bearing in mind though is that while we might have gay guys kicking around, and even lesbian chicks, there are no 'screaming queen' or Diva types. The gay guys are pretty much guys who do guy stuff and who happen to do guys in their offtime - they don't really make it anyone elses business, and they certainly aren't political.
Inf.
My stepdad was an infantryman.
Is it true that Australia allows openly gay military personnel?It's just a non-conversation, not quite don't ask/don't tell, but rather 'we aren't interested so its not a discussion issue'. Openly GLBT have been accepted since 1992, but that said there have always been gays in.
What is worth bearing in mind though is that while we might have gay guys kicking around, and even lesbian chicks, there are no 'screaming queen' or Diva types. The gay guys are pretty much guys who do guy stuff and who happen to do guys in their offtime - they don't really make it anyone elses business, and they certainly aren't political.
Sounds familiar. I have a lesbian neighbor in the Army, and she doesn't make a big deal of it. She just shuts up and does her job.
She just shuts up and does her job.
Which is about the only thing fellow soldiers are truly interested in!