Australia Day holds immense significance for many Australians, symbolizing the nation’s rich history, cultural diversity, and shared identity. While retailers have the right to decide which products to sell, when their decisions are driven by political motivations, it introduces another layer of complexity. The celebration of Australia Day is deeply rooted in the majority of citizens, and for newcomers, it represents an acknowledgment and acceptance into the Australian community.

In response to corporate entities using their decisions as political statements, there is a grassroots approach that citizens can adopt to express their support for Australia Day. My proposed action is for individuals to unite and demonstrate their appreciation for the celebration by purchasing Australia Day merchandise from a retailer like Coles. This symbolic act not only signals support for the significance of Australia Day but also serves as a tangible way for people to engage in the conversation about the cultural and national importance of the day.

The call to wear Australia Day merchandise in other major retailers like Woolworths and Aldi could be seen as a peaceful and collective way for citizens to voice their disagreement with the political statements made by certain corporations. By doing so, individuals send a clear message that they value the traditional celebration of Australia Day and are choosing to express their views through their purchasing decisions.

This proposed action is a form of civic engagement, encouraging people to actively participate in the public discourse surrounding Australia Day. It harnesses the power of collective action to demonstrate the importance of the celebration and, in turn, highlights the impact of political statements made by corporations on the sentiments of the community.

In essence, the idea is not just about buying merchandise; it’s a symbolic act of unity and expression of shared values. It’s a way for citizens to assert their voice and demonstrate that Australia Day is a day worth celebrating and preserving for its cultural and historical significance.

By Ray Payne OAM

The Australian Infantry Obstacle Course poses the question: will it beat you? Army physical training, especially infantry training worldwide, utilizes the obstacle course as a test of toughness, leadership, and teamwork for the simple reason that it works. You will go from a standing start to exhaustion in moments, and you will then spend the next however long feeling like you are in the last minute of a crucial football game. Knowing that if your section does not perform, you are doing it again. Infantry training doesn’t care about your feelings; it is designed to identify breaking points and test weaknesses of both body and mind. It aims to see who emerges as a leader under pressure, getting the team going, or the character that turns inward, becoming selfish and the weak link.

There is no hiding on the Infantry Obstacle Course at the School of Infantry. You will be watched the whole time, and you must succeed at every single hurdle, or you and the section will fail. You will be wet and weighed down with the equipment you wear into battle. This is the ultimate CrossFit test, and the secret ingredients are muscular endurance, mental and physical toughness, and mateship.

The Infantry Obstacle Course will expose weaknesses in men, and if you are only Kapooka fit, you will fail this course. Then, good luck looking your team in the eye when they get told to get ready to go through it again. You are tested as a section, not just as an individual, and we don’t care about your feelings. Every infantry soldier has done this before; now it’s your turn to prevail or fail. What you do to prepare determines your ability to pass.

Duty First

Analysis by Brad Lendon, CNN

4 minute read

Updated 2:00 AM EST, Fri January 12, 2024

After repeated warnings, United States and British forces have followed through on threats to retaliate against Iran-backed Houthi rebels for their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea.

Under the cover of darkness they launched missiles and bombs on targets in Yemen from air and sea overnight Friday. Here’s what we know about the weapons and military hardware employed by the US and the UK.

CLICK LINK to continue reading on CNN site

What kind of weapons are the US and UK using to strike the Houthis? | CNN

The B-17 Flying Fortress, hailed as a potential war-winning weapon, faced a harsh reality by the end of 1943. The American 8th Air Force, heavily relying on these iconic bombers, found themselves teetering on the edge of operational collapse. The menacing combination of German anti-aircraft flak and agile fighter planes systematically shot down B-17s in alarming numbers, forcing a reckoning with the impracticalities of existing strategic bombing doctrines.

As the aerial warfare landscape became increasingly perilous, the United States recognized the urgent need for a comprehensive overhaul in leadership, tactics, and technology. In a mere year, the 8th Air Force underwent a remarkable transformation, emerging as masters of the skies over Europe and dealing a decisive blow to the formidable German Luftwaffe.

The catalyst for this turnaround was a multifaceted approach. Firstly, leadership underwent a strategic shift, with seasoned commanders implementing innovative and adaptive tactics. This change in mindset was crucial, as it allowed for a departure from predictable flight patterns that had previously made the B-17s vulnerable to German defences.

Tactical evolution played a pivotal role in the 8th Air Force’s resurgence. Pilots and crew members embraced new formations and defensive manoeuvres, enhancing the survivability of their missions. The adoption of tighter formations, such as the famous “combat box,” maximized the firepower of the B-17s while minimizing their vulnerability to enemy attacks.

Technological advancements also played a crucial role in turning the tide. The introduction of long-range fighter escorts, most notably the P-51 Mustang, provided the B-17s with much-needed protection deep into enemy territory. The extended range of these fighters allowed them to accompany the bombers throughout their entire mission, ensuring a continuous shield against marauding German fighters.

Additionally, improvements in radar technology and the development of electronic countermeasures allowed the 8th Air Force to gain a significant edge in the electronic warfare domain. This denied the Luftwaffe the element of surprise and enabled American bombers to navigate through hostile territory with greater precision.

In essence, the triumphant turnaround of the 8th Air Force can be attributed to a holistic approach that encompassed leadership adaptability, tactical innovation, and technological superiority. This transformation not only safeguarded the B-17s but also paved the way for a strategic dominance that played a pivotal role in the ultimate defeat of Nazi Germany. This video explores the intricacies of these changes, shedding light on a crucial chapter in the history of aerial warfare during World War II.

Today we look at a vehicle which has not seen the light of day since the 1960s. With the help of @armouredarchives8867 we uncover the lost story of Britain’s quest to build an indestructible mine sweeping vehicle known as the M.R.V. Using original archive documents we learn both how it would have been build and ultimately why it failed.

The U.S. Army employs howitzers for precision indirect fire, rocket systems like MLRS for long-range strikes, and mortars for close support. These artillery systems engage enemy positions and provide critical fire support to troops in various operational scenarios. And today we want to show you the 10 best howitzers, rocket systems and mortars in US Army.

The United States and the United Kingdom conducted airstrikes against sites affiliated with the Houthi movement in Yemen. This marks the first such action since the Iran-backed group-initiated attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea late last year. Witnesses in Yemen reported explosions across the country. President Joe Biden warned in a statement on Thursday that further actions could be taken if necessary. Biden emphasized that these targeted strikes convey a strong message against attacks on personnel and threats to freedom of navigation. The UK Ministry of Defence stated that early indications suggest a setback to the Houthis’ capability to endanger merchant shipping. The ongoing strikes represent a significant escalation in the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East since it began in October. According to a U.S. official, the strikes involve aircraft, ships, and submarines, targeting over a dozen locations with the aim of diminishing Houthi military capabilities rather than being merely symbolic.

U.S. authorities are evaluating an increasing threat from Lebanese Hezbollah militants, expressing concerns about potential strikes against Americans in the Middle East and the possibility of attacks within the United States. The Iran-backed group is expected to target U.S. personnel in the Middle East initially, with intelligence agencies collecting data indicating the potential for attacks on both U.S. troops and diplomatic personnel abroad.

As regional tensions escalate, the risk of an assault on U.S. soil is also on the rise, according to officials. Hezbollah possesses capabilities unique to the region’s terrorist groups, and while specific attack details are not disclosed, officials highlight the group’s potential to strategically position individuals for possible attacks on the U.S.

Although officials refrain from specifying the nature of potential attacks, they emphasize that Hezbollah’s capabilities surpass those of other terrorist groups in the region. Unlike lone-wolf attacks carried out by individuals inspired by groups like the Islamic State or al-Qaeda, Hezbollah boasts an expansive international network, enabling the group to deploy operatives for potential attacks within the United States.

U.S. troops in the Middle East have already faced attacks from various Iranian proxy groups, including Harakat-al-Nujaba, an Iraqi paramilitary organization. These militias have executed at least 127 attacks on American forces in Iraq and Syria since October 17. While the extent of Hezbollah’s coordination with these groups remains unclear, top intelligence officials in Washington assert that the group shares similar objectives in disrupting the American military’s presence in the region and actively seeks opportunities to target U.S. troops.

An elderly man rear-ended a guy driving an expensive European sports car…

Enraged, the guy hops out and confronts the old man.

He yells, “Look what you did to my car…!!!”

“You’re going to give me $10,000 right now or I’m going to beat you to a pulp!”

“Oh my…” the old man said nervously, “I don’t have that kind of money.”

“Let me call my son…,” he said with hope, “he trains dolphins, and he will know what to do.”

“Dolphins..!?!?!” the other driver huffed, while rolling his eyes.

The old man pulled out his phone, dialled his son, and just as his son answered, the irate man snatched the phone away from the old man.

“So, YOU’RE a dolphin trainer, huh..?!?!” The irate man yelled, “Well, your old man here just rear-ended my car and I need TEN GRAND right now, or I’m going to beat you AND your old man to a pulp…!!”

“I’ll be there in 10 minutes,” says the voice calmly on the other end.

Exactly 10 minutes later, a Jeep pulls up and a guy hops out and proceeds to pulverize the bully, leaving him in a heap on the side of the road.

When he finished, he walked over to his father and said….

“For the last time dad, I train Seals…

Navy Seals.”

“NOT dolphins..!!”