Why Chief of Army can’t be allowed to get away with it!

Get away with what?  With throwing 1st Armoured Regiment under a bus and pretending that nothing’s happened … that’s what!

The CA needed a unit to evaluate new technologies and decided (unilaterally, it seems) that 1 Armd Regt was to be stripped of its tanks, in order to take on the new role.  A unit with 75 years’ experience crewing tanks, together with three Battle Honours and a Unit Citation for Gallantry – becomes a non-combatant overnight (with no explanation)!  

Planning for the change was all undertaken in secret.  Although confidentiality associated with the 2023 Defence Strategic Review might’ve played a part, a concerted effort was made to keep everything ‘under wraps’.  Only the unit itself was made aware (confidentially, of course), how honoured they should feel to be selected for the new experimentation role.

[Wouldn’t it have been a nice touch, if past COs of 1 Armd Regt were separately advised what was happening to the unit they once commanded.]  

When they found out, the then RAAC Representative Honorary Colonel, the then Head of Corps, and the 1 Armd Regt Hon Col, all wrote letters to the CA to recommend against it.  

Understandably, the RAAC community was ‘gob-smacked’!  Surely this couldn’t happen? What about all the unit’s individual skills and tactical training as a tank regiment; all that can’t just be thrown out!  Surely it’s a mistake?

This wasn’t a matter for consultation, however – the CA had made up his mind!  

The 1 Armd Regt Association thought it was a mistake (not realising how much they were being manipulated): 

“…  the Association was advised by several respected retired Armoured Corps Generals that the decision to re-role 1st Armoured Regiment, would surely be reviewed and that common sense would undoubtedly prevail.  

In the meantime, the Association and veterans of 1st Armoured Regiment, should try and remain calm, rather than undertake a campaign of advocacy which could inflame a sensitive situation.” 

But how can a unit with 75 years’ service to the nation, be forced to forsake their accrued heritage and traditions?  

Chief of the Defence Force was quick to tell 1 Armd Regt to: ‘just keep doing as you’ve always done’.  But a new unit has new customs and responsibilities (which is why the 2025 Cambrai Day Parade had to be cancelled).  

CDF doesn’t understand (although his staff should) that a unit that is not a tank regiment, has no entitlement to a Standard.  [The only option now is for it to be laid up in accord with its consecrated status.  Interestingly, the RAAC Corps RSM has declined (or been told to decline) to respond to a question verifying the Corps’ position on this.]

The secrecy and lack of consultation involved was one thing; the complete loss of unit heritage and traditions another.  Added to this was the loss of crew skills and tank craft and society’s loss of trust in the Army.  Even worse than all this, however, was the downright arrogance displayed by the CA.  

He has a wide array of staff officers working for him.  Obviously, those from the RAAC are most familiar with the circumstances involved.  

For two years in a row, the RAAC Corps Conference has recommended making 3 Brigade a full armoured brigade, with 1 Armd Regt and 2 Cav Regt as separate units. [‘Black hats’, sadly, must be considered biased.] 

Letters have been written to both the CA and his Chief of Staff, asking why 1 Armd Regt has been treated as it has.  The CA has stated that “We (presumably the royal ‘we’) consider the matter closed”; the reason being that responses have been provided by the CDF and the Minister.  

[Unfortunately, neither explained why 1 Armd Regt had to be stripped of its tanks and made a non-combatant; the Minister saying that “1 Armd Regt has an important new role … directly shaping how the Army fights”.  He’s been asked what this means, but hasn’t responded.]  

A meeting has also been held with the RAAC Head of Corps.  Whereas the former HOC asked the CA to reconsider, the present HOC supports CA’s decision.  Disappointingly, the new incumbent was not able to explain how it is that 1 Armd Regt, as an experimentation unit, now has a role which has nothing at all to do with the role of the RAAC.  

Despite the above, there is still hope that basic common courtesy may one day see the CA provide an explanation as to why he decided not to accept the expert advice offered. 

Sadly, however, the adage about common courtesy not being all that common, appears to be true.

Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Cameron, MC, RAAC (Ret’d)

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FILE PHOTO: Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart addresses the audience at the Chief of Army Symposium 2024 in Melbourne, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Cameron Pegg.

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