by Stewart McLeod

Here is a song I put together after I heard that the 5th and 7th Battalions were again going to be linked as one, 5/7 RAR.

I first served in 5/7 RAR from Jul 1976 to Jan 1980, in Charlie and Admin Coys. After being posted away for one year, I marched back into the battalion in Jan 1981. Up until early 1985, I was in Delta Company then was sent to BHQ until April 1985 and then posted to 1 MCE.

I did not know what to put into the video until I found out that the re-linking parade was going to be live streamed. I think the song captures the spirit of the occasion and compliments the heavily edited video.

Media Release – Wednesday, 3 July 2024

The Albanese Government is simplifying and harmonising Australia’s veterans’ rehabilitation and compensation system – with new legislation introduced today.

Under the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024, all new compensation claims from 1 July 2026 will be dealt with under a single piece of legislation – an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) – regardless of when or where the veteran served.

This is another important step in responding to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report and is the result of significant community consultation.

In August 2022, the Royal Commission told us that legislation governing compensation and rehabilitation for veterans and their families is ‘so complicated that it adversely affects the mental health of some veterans and can be a contributing factor to suicidality’.

After decades of piecemeal change built on top of a century of different veterans’ entitlements legislation, these reforms will deliver a system that is easier for veterans and families to understand what they are entitled to and will make it simpler for veteran advocates to assist veterans, so veterans receive the benefits and supports they need and deserve.

Importantly the legislation will enable the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to process claims quicker – so the veteran community can receive the benefits and supports they need and deserve in a timely manner.

As part of these reforms, the Government is enhancing various entitlements including:

• The introduction of a new Additional Disablement Amount (ADA), similar to the existing Extreme Disablement Adjustment (EDA) under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA). This would compensate veterans who are Age Pension age or older and who have a high degree of incapacity due to service-related conditions.
• Introduction of ‘presumptive liability’, allowing the Repatriation Commission to specify injuries and diseases that can be determined on a presumptive basis where they are known to have a common connection with military service – without needing to engage with the Statement of Principles system.
• Consolidation of household and attendant care, travel for treatment, and retention of automatic granting of VEA funeral benefits in the MRCA.
• An increase to $3,000 for funeral allowance for previous automatic grant categories under the VEA, and the availability of reimbursement of funeral expenses up to $14,062 for all service-related deaths.
• The availability to all veterans of the higher reimbursement amount, regardless of kilometres, when a private vehicle is used to travel for treatment.
• Standardisation of allowances and other payments, including acute support packages, Victoria Cross and decoration allowances, education schemes, prisoner of war ex gratia payments, and additional compensation for children of severely impaired veterans.
• Enhancement of the Repatriation Commission’s ability to grant special assistance to veterans and their dependants.
• Veterans in receipt of Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence Related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA) incapacity payments will automatically transition to MRCA incapacity payments on the date of commencement.
• Where the Repatriation Medical Authority updates a Statement of Principle between the veteran’s primary and reviewable decision, the version of the Statement which is most beneficial to the veteran’s circumstances will be applied.
• Introduction of an instrument making power that will enable the Commission to determine circumstances where a veteran must receive financial advice before receiving a lump sum payment.

Under our changes, no veteran will see a reduction to their benefits.

Where a veteran is currently receiving benefits under an existing scheme, that will continue unaffected.

This year’s Federal Budget set aside an additional $222 million for veteran and family entitlements across the two years from commencement of this legislation.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Matt Keogh:

“We promised to act, and we have.

“This is a huge step forward for Australia’s veteran community and will benefit our current and former service personnel for generations to come.

“This legislation will ensure a better future for defence personnel, veterans and families.”

The Straits Times

Imagine a world where a single gallon of fuel could power your car for 20 years without pollution. This dream might soon be a reality thanks to nuclear fusion — the process of smashing atoms together to create massive amounts of clean energy. Unlike nuclear fission, which splits atoms and leaves behind harmful radioactive waste, fusion is safe, efficient, and residue-free.

Fusion happens when two atoms combine at extremely high temperatures — over 150 million degrees Celsius (320 million degrees Fahrenheit). This process mimics how the sun generates energy, creating a burst of power far greater than traditional methods. Fusion has the potential to produce four times the energy of nuclear fission, making it a game-changer for industries, space travel, and clean energy solutions.

Why Fusion Matters

Fusion energy could eliminate the need for expensive and limited lithium batteries, which only work well in certain conditions. Instead, tiny amounts of fusion fuel could generate vast amounts of power, paving the way for pollution-free energy that works anywhere, anytime.

Best of all, fusion reactors, like the “tokamak,” leave no toxic waste behind. These doughnut-shaped machines use powerful magnetic fields to control the super-hot plasma where fusion occurs, making them the key to unlocking this energy source.

The Global Race for Fusion Energy

While the technology isn’t quite ready for everyday use, a fierce competition is underway, and China is leading the charge. The Chinese government is reportedly spending $1.5 billion annually on fusion research — nearly double the U.S. investment.

China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) recently set records, maintaining a plasma temperature of 120 million degrees Celsius for 101 seconds and 160 million degrees for 20 seconds. These breakthroughs bring fusion closer to becoming a reliable energy source.

One of the biggest challenges with fusion has been controlling the plasma and maintaining the extreme temperatures needed for the reaction. Chinese scientists may have solved this by adjusting the fuels and using magnetic fields to stabilize the plasma. Their innovative “cored apple” design within the tokamak is a major step forward.

What About the U.S.?

The U.S. isn’t sitting idle. Entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Sam Altman are pushing the boundaries of clean energy. Musk’s Tesla has explored fusion technology alongside its solar and battery ventures. Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, has invested heavily in nuclear energy startups and even secured permits to build microreactors.

However, the U.S. faces challenges. Some hydrogen-based energy systems being developed are still inefficient, requiring more energy to produce than they generate. Meanwhile, China’s rapid advancements and well-funded projects are giving it a significant edge in the race.

Why This Matters

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Whoever wins the fusion race will lead the next energy revolution, unlocking cleaner, more sustainable power for generations. Fusion could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, combat climate change, and transform industries worldwide.

While China’s progress is impressive, the global effort to develop fusion energy should be a shared mission. After all, a breakthrough in clean energy benefits everyone. As the technology matures, we may soon witness the dawn of an era where energy is limitless, clean, and affordable for all.

This nostalgic YouTube video, kindly shared by Mike Kenavan, landed in my inbox this morning. As I watched, a fixed smile spread across my face, flooding me with cherished memories. The clips showcased some of the most stunning actresses of the era and timeless songs that continue to resonate even today.

I’m sharing this as your Friday Smile, hoping it brings you as much joy as it brought me. Take a moment to dive into this delightful blast from the past and let it brighten your day!

https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/TmsahlXby7c?playlist=TmsahlXby7c&autoplay=1&iv_load_policy=3&loop=1&start=

The Krakow Post

Recent intelligence reveals that Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, is actively regrouping despite suffering severe setbacks from Israeli military strikes. This development poses an ongoing threat to the United States and its allies in the region.

Israel’s sustained airstrikes have reportedly halved Hezbollah’s weapons stockpiles and inflicted thousands of fighter casualties. While these losses are substantial, they are far from crippling. Hezbollah has already ramped up recruitment efforts and is exploring ways to replenish its arsenal. Arms smuggling through Syria and covert domestic production appear central to its strategy.

Analysts suggest Hezbollah might be using the current ceasefire as an opportunity to rebuild and reorganize, a concern that highlights the fragility of the pause in hostilities.

The ceasefire agreement, ostensibly aimed at halting the conflict, prohibits Hezbollah from acquiring new weapons. However, enforcement remains inconsistent. Israel continues to strike Hezbollah targets, including rocket launch sites and supply routes, maintaining pressure on the group.

Hezbollah’s operations are deeply tied to broader regional dynamics. The United States has increased pressure on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to restrict Hezbollah’s activities. Washington has hinted at easing sanctions on Syria if Assad cooperates, but his regime remains a critical ally and conduit for Hezbollah’s operations.

This tangled web of alliances underscores the difficulty of curbing Hezbollah’s influence. Its ability to leverage Syrian territory for arms and fighter movements further complicates the security landscape in the Middle East.

Despite military setbacks, Hezbollah is focusing on rebuilding damaged areas in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut’s southern suburbs and southern Lebanon. These efforts aim to solidify its support base by providing social and economic aid.

Hezbollah’s leadership has shown no sign of wavering in its commitment to resist Israel. While weakened, the group’s rebuilding initiatives and enduring regional support suggest that it remains a potent force, one that Israel and its allies must continue to monitor closely.

The question remains: will this ceasefire pave the way for stability, or is it merely a prelude to the next round of conflict?

The steady decline of Australia’s armed forces is a stark indicator of a deeper national malaise: the erosion of the social contract between leadership and citizens. As the nation pivots toward an immigration-led economy, the impact on the defence force is both direct and devastating.

At its core, the armed forces rely on a robust sense of national identity, pride, and purpose to attract and retain recruits. But why would any young Australian feel compelled to defend a country that seems indifferent, if not hostile, to their future? The current reality speaks for itself:

• Living Standards in Decline: Young Australians are expected to endure subpar housing, poor pay, and outdated barracks while leadership obsesses over “woke” agendas rather than addressing practical issues. The basics of decent living adequate pay, quality education, and liveable accommodations are denied to those who might otherwise consider service. What incentive is there to defend a nation that fails to uphold these essentials?
• The Cult of Victimhood: The growing prevalence of “woke” ideology has fostered a culture where resilience and strength are undervalued. The emphasis on victimhood over accountability and perseverance is antithetical to the demands of military life. As a result, potential recruits are more likely to wilt under stress rather than rise to the challenges inherent in defending their country.
• Foreign Recruitment as a Band-Aid Solution: With a shortfall of 4,400 workers, the government’s response is to open recruitment to permanent residents and foreign nationals from countries like the U.S., U.K., and Canada, with plans to expand further. Defence Minister Richard Marles sees this as essential to addressing security challenges, but such a strategy risk undermining cohesion within the ranks.

What happens when geopolitical tensions arise, and foreign-born soldiers find their loyalties tested? The possibility of defections or internal discord is not far-fetched in scenarios involving conflicts with nations from which these recruits hail.

• Erosion of National Pride: The reliance on immigration to fill critical defence roles underscores a larger problem Australia’s failure to invest in its own people. Instead of fostering a sense of pride and duty among young Australians, the government is effectively outsourcing national defence. This move sends a clear message: the nation is unwilling to back its own citizens to take up the mantle of its defence.

A strong defence force cannot be built on empty rhetoric or outsourced loyalty. It requires a government that invests in its people, values their contributions, and ensures they have a stake in the country’s future. Sadly, the current trajectory is one of systemic neglect:

• The failure to address basic living standards for servicemen and women.
• The adoption of divisive ideologies that undermine unity and morale.
• The reliance on foreign nationals to fill critical defence gaps.

These trends do not inspire confidence in young Australians, nor do they fortify the nation’s defences. Instead, they reflect a leadership more focused on managing the symptoms of a broken system than addressing its root causes.

If Australia continues down this path, the consequences will be far-reaching. An army without loyalty, unity, and pride in its mission is no army at all. The defence force’s decline is symptomatic of a broader societal shift a move away from national cohesion and toward fractured, transient solutions.

The question remains: what kind of country are we building, and who will defend it when the time comes?

Retired RAAF Wing Commander, Bob Redman, talks us through some of No. 9 Squadron’s operations in Vietnam.

Two Australian army battalions have been reunited in Darwin. It comes as Australia’s Defence Force pivots towards the country’s north. The Seventh Battalion has been moved from Adelaide following a recommendation from the defence strategic review.

Recently, #garysinise was honoured to dedicate a mortgage-free, specially adapted smart home to U.S. #Army #veteran Dennet Oregon who lost both legs below the knee in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. To find out more about the Gary Sinise Foundation’s programs for the severely wounded and its support to the military, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need, please visit www.garysinisefoundation.org

ED: Truly a thank you for your service