Defence probes soldiers' Facebook comments

Mar 24, 2011 7:20 PM
Filed under Software

Brands alleged comments "unacceptable".

The Department of Defence has launched a probe into allegations that Australian soldiers serving in Afghanistan posted inappropriate comments to Facebook accounts.

The Age newspaper reported derogatory comments allegedly aimed at Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, and racist remarks allegedly aimed at Afghan locals.

Acting Chief of Army, Major General Paul Symon, said the Army was "appalled" by the reported behaviour.

"It is totally unacceptable and does not represent Army values of courage, initiative and teamwork," he said.

"These soldiers have demonstrated a lack of decency and professional judgement, and brought discredit to themselves and disrepute to the Army and the Australian Defence Force."

Defence said in a statement that it would take "appropriate disciplinary or administrative action" against any individual found to be in the wrong by the investigation.

Defence probes soldiers' Facebook comments

3 comments in this discussion

"You'd be no use to the gun lobby @Johnny. You should know that guns don't kill people. People kill people. Don't hate the software. It's the people using it that are the problem."

By Ace

Tags

defence, facebook, dlp, afghanistan, war on terror, social media, aup, major general paul symon

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Comments: 3

singo79 Mar 25, 2011 2:40 PM	What are they (Department of Defence) going to do? Honestly, it is the soldiers own opinions in which they are expressing to family and friends (assuming they have private accounts). If the DoD don't like it then they should just discharge these men and women. The DoD can't get people to join the Defence Force in the first place, so discharging soldiers over Facebook comments isn't going to happen. Though if they did decide to do that and you as a soldier were locked into a four year ROSO this might be the best option out. I find this spying on Aussie Defence Personnel ridiculous, especially if it has nothing to do with National Security. Your opinions are your opinions and after all that is what these Soldiers are fighting for. Not only are our Soldiers fighting for the freedoms we have now, but it is in turn being used against them by other racist groups. Groups protesting here in Australia, along with America, Great Briton and France are targeting our way of life and freedom, yet they come here and take advantage of such freedoms and use them against us. All whilst our Soldiers are supposedly fighting for our freedom and safety. The DoD needs get in touch with reality, otherwise they may just see another mass exodus from the ranks as they did back in the early 90's when they stuffed with their pension scheme!
Johnny Mar 26, 2011 11:24 PM	I Hate facebook and i think too many people are simply too stupid to use it, they go and post stupid comments and what not in the public domain. HOWEVER, i think that the issue here is that some idiots may think that these solidiers comments are representative of the whole defence force (and who knows honestly) and thats the issue that the defence force has here. Since i'll assume the posts were NOT made to represent the defence force views, then i'm more appaled that they cant have a private life out side of the defence force. and frankly who cares what tehy think outside of the defence force as lng as they dont go breaking any of hte rules (if there are any these days!) and act appropriatly while in the capacity as a solidier. If i had a dollar for every time my contrived sentences make sense, i'd be broke.
Ace Mar 27, 2011 2:09 AM	You'd be no use to the gun lobby @Johnny. You should know that guns don't kill people. People kill people. Don't hate the software. It's the people using it that are the problem.