The Australian military ideal of a soldier as "a big, strong, boofy bloke" prepared to use lethal force is dangerously out of step with the needs of modern warfare.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
That's one of the messages presented to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide by University of NSW associate professor of sociology James Connor.
It poses a "fundamental challenge to the entire cultural history of the ADF which is about strong masculine men, wrestling with other men for dominance".
"This is not what the future battle space will look like. The future battle space will require a diversity of skills, experiences and abilities that cross the gamut of gender and training and worldview ... not just your traditional and, let's be blunt about the ADF, white bloke," Assoc Prof Connor said.
Giving evidence on Monday, the sociologist said the Australian Defence Force had repeatedly paid "lip service" to calls to end the systemic mistreatment of defence members who didn't fit the warrior stereotype.
He said "lazy leadership" had encouraged group mobbings of anyone in the service who was struggling, or somehow different, including women.
Commissioners heard from a panel of experts that alienation, physical and sexual assault was routinely used by leaders to promote group loyalty, based on the belief that it improved "combat effectiveness'. But it had a devastating impact on the target.
Zac E. Seidler, a clinical psychologist at Melbourne University, said repeated inquiries had failed to make a dent in the defence force culture.
"We don't need to create these warriors that are devoid of emotionality."
Nikki Jamieson, the mother of 21-year-old army private Daniel Garforth who suicided in 2014, said her son had suffered "endless torment" when he was targeted by members of his chain of command.
She said the army had dismissed his complaints of bullying and instead cast him as a "malinger" as he struggled with his mental health and became increasingly isolated from fellow soldiers.
"As soon as you're labelled, you're gone. And that's it. Your career is over," Ms Jamieson said.
The commission is due to hear further evidence from a panel of experts and veteran organisations on Tuesday.
The public hearings will continue in Brisbane until December 10.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Open Arms 1800 011 046
Australian Associated Press
