How did the RAAC get Into This Mess?

As Stan Laurel would say: “Well, here’s another nice mess you’ve gotten me into!”

Trouble is … there’s nothing laughable about 1st Armoured Regiment’s situation.  

After 75 years serving the nation as a tank regiment, 1 Armd Regt’s been turned into a non-combatant experimentation unit (without even an RAAC role).

Up until now, the focus for trying to get this changed, has been the Chief of Army.  

It’s now realised, however, that the Defence People Group (DPG) within the Department of Defence has responsibility for the management of all matters relating to personnel, including those related to unit structure. 

So, it’s the DPG, not the Chief of Army, that has the authority to return 1 Armd Regt to its combat role.  

Until recently, the People Capability Division within Defence “planned and designed the Defence workforce structure”; and, therefore, had executive authority as far as 1 Armd Regt was concerned.  It seems, however, that the People Capability Division has recently been scrapped.

Responsibility for the Defence People Group now seems to be shared, in a form of diarchy, between Ms Justine Greig, PSM, Deputy Secretary (People Strategy Organisation) and Lieutenant General Natasha Fox, AO, CSC (Military Personnel Organisation); the latter holding the same rank as the Chief of Army. 

The following email has been sent to General Fox:

“For some time now, a number of us have been trying to find out how long 1 Armd Regt’s tenure as an experimentation unit was to last.  

There have been a number of rumours suggesting that the unit’s combat role was soon to be reinstated.

We understand that responsibility for this is borne by the Defence People Group 

Could you please advise if any consideration is being given to relocating 1 Armd Regt to Townsville as part of 3 Brigade?”

No response is expected; but if an email address is published in a government directory, it seems a waste not to make use of it.  

Surprise!  

A response has been received from a colonel in Army Office, advising that: 

“The emails you have sent to LTGEN Fox’s office and to Defence’s Your Customer Service email address, have been forwarded to Army as those organisations are not able to assist you. I will endeavour to have a response provided to you. 
Directorate of Sensitive & Strategic Issues Management”.  

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

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