THE AUSTRALIAN MILITARY SYSTEM
The problem of defense in Australia is in many ways identical with that
of the United States. In the island commonwealth a constitution exists
modeled on the lines of that governing the union. National development
in the antipodes has, in some degree, followed the course pursued in
America. But from the inception of the commonwealth, the question
of defense has been in the minds of the people and their chosen or
appointed administrators.
The circumstances governing the present system grew out of conditions
like to those that prevail in the United States. Australia originally
depended for defense upon a regular establishment, small in number, and
a force of militia. These were supplemented by rifle associations of
problematic value, and by school battalions. In the military evolution
of the country the latter have been a vital factor.
Previous to the establishment of the commonwealth, Australia depended
upon Great Britain for the necessary measures of protection. It would
seem to have been the policy of past English administrators to foster
this state of dependence, under the opinion that such action reinforced
loyalty to the mother land. Today all this is changed. Australia is
self-governing and self-reliant. While strong in its devotion to
Britain, as shown by the enormous sacrifices made in the present war,
the commonwealth has cut the leading strings and now works out its
destiny unaided.
The Defense Act of 1903-1909 of Australia was the first law passed
in any English-speaking country which recognized the principle of
universal liability of citizens to military training in time of
peace. The introduction of the statute met with hearty approval. Its
provisions went into effect in 1911 and since that date Australia has
steadily advanced in military efficiency. The remarkable feature of the
system is the little time actually devoted to training, compared to
the excellent results attained. The worth of the Australian militiaman
has stood the acid test of war. In no field of the world fighting did
soldiers of whatever nationality show higher military qualities than
possessed by the Australian corps which fought so long and determinedly
in Gallipoli. A system achieving these splendid results in such a short
time merits close study by all interested in the question of citizen
soldiery.
After the Australian Parliament passed the defense act, it immediately
invited Lord Kitchener to visit the island, examine local conditions
and make recommendations. This businesslike proceeding produced a
militia organization which stands as a model to the world. The results
are all the more noteworthy when we consider that the Australian is, if
possible, more individualistic than the American. It has been proved
that there is nothing basically antagonistic between submitting to
necessary military training and enjoying complete political liberty.
The antipodean is as jealous of his “rights” as the range rider of
the western United States, yet he submits to discipline to serve his
country.
As the pioneer nation favoring universal service, Australia found many
difficulties in her path. In the first place, her area was great, about
3,000,000 square miles, enclosed in a coast fine of more than 12,000
miles. (The United States coast line is 20,000 miles and continental
area 3,616,000 square miles.) Over this area a population of nearly
5,000,000 was unequally distributed, the greater portion living within
300 miles of the eastern, southern and western coast of the island,
with more than one-third of the aggregate inhabiting the five principal
cities of the commonwealth. The United States has a population
distribution of the same type, but on a highly exaggerated scale.
The system of training brought into force in Australia was no radical
departure from what had gone before. It was the simple extension of
the existing militia and cadet system to include all those who were
physically fit instead of limiting membership to volunteers. From this
seed, which had been germinating for twenty years, grew up the present
successful plan.
The Australian Defense Act of 1903, largely amended, imposed a system
of compulsory training, on all fit males beginning with cadets of
twelve to eighteen years of age, followed by one year in the citizen
forces as recruits, after which the men remained as soldiers for seven
years. Liability ceases with the completion of the twenty-sixth year,
but men are expected to join the rifle clubs which are established
all over the island and keep up their shooting. The actual period of
military training is exceedingly short. The time required of the young
citizen soldiers from eighteen to twenty-six years being only sixteen
days in each year. Of this period eight days must be passed in camp in
continuous training.
Compared with European requirements, this is excessively limited, but
because of the ardor of the cadets, and the fact that shooting is a
national pastime in Australia, the ends are out of all proportion to
time expended.
The whole country is divided into recruiting districts, ninety-two in
number, of approximately equal population, each district providing
one infantry battalion. When the system is in full operation it is
estimated that the total number of men under training will be 150,000
cadets and 120,000 citizen soldiers. Antedating the outbreak of war in
1914, the Australian militia totaled 50,000 in all ranks. In addition
to these there were 90,000 undergoing training as senior cadets. Also
about 50,000 were registered in the rifle clubs.
The former militia and volunteer units were gradually merged into
the new citizen army. When complete this will consist of 23 infantry
brigades (92 battalions), 28 regiments of light horse, 49 field and
7 heavy batteries (4 guns each), and 14 companies of engineers with
the necessary departmental troops. In event of attack, about half of
the force would be required to garrison and defend the ports while the
remainder would form a mobile operating army.
When the plan is in full working order, after eight or nine years, it
is expected the cost will be about $15,000,000.
Such in brief is the Australian scheme.
In order to emphasize the very small time period required in this
system the training of Australians is here tabulated:
------------------+--------+----------+----------------------------
RANK. | AGE, | SERVICE, | TRAINING.
| YEARS. | YEARS. |
------------------+--------+----------+----------------------------
| | |
Junior Cadets | 12-14 | 2 |90 hours each year.
| | |
Senior Cadets | 14-18 | 4 |4 full days, 12 half days,
| | | 24 quarter (night) drills
| | | each year.
| | |
Citizen forces | 18-26 | 8 |In first seven years drills
(militia) | | | equaling 16 full days, of
| | | which 8 must be in camp,
| | | every year.
------------------+--------+----------+----------------------------
Artillery and engineers and naval recruits train for twenty-five days,
of which seventeen are spent in camp. From the above it is seen that
the Australian system is founded upon the training of the youth of
the country. Let us examine the three stages of instruction for boys
and young men in Australia, under separate heads. The purpose of the
different periods of schooling are.
First, in the junior cadets, to systematize physical drills and
marching exercises in conjunction with school duties and thus improve
bodily development. This plan was found of peculiar advantage to the
city-bred boy.
Second, with the senior cadets, between the ages of fourteen and
eighteen, while continuing the physical development, to initiate
a general military training that would lighten subsequent recruit
instruction.
Third, in the militia, men between eighteen and twenty-five years of
age, to organize, train and discipline a force of real fighting value.
In Australia, as in the United States, primary education is compulsory
and free. In most of the antipodean states children remain at school
up to fourteen years of age. Schools are found in even thinly populated
districts and three-fourths of the children of the country attend
the same. The other fourth attend private schools. The commonwealth
government has no authority over education, which, as it is in the
United States, is a function of the state government. But the central
government has power to require training for military purposes in all
schools. It was no difficult task to introduce military instruction in
the schools, as, before the passage of the defense act, volunteer cadet
corps existed in primary institutions of learning. These numbered some
30,000 students and have passed on their name, junior cadets, to the
present organizations.
Although Australia is a young country, the effect of the crowding into
the cities has already been marked among the youth of the land. A sharp
difference is noted between the city- and the country-bred boy. So
this physical training is a national asset, even though many of the
boys who train, afterwards fail to come up to the high standard set
for entrance into the militia. In the schools all cadets are examined
medically before being subject to the fatigues of military exercise.
As the commonwealth government had no power to legislate military
instruction into existence as an added burden to the schoolmasters,
it had to be accepted voluntarily. In recompense the central
administration made grants to schools meeting the government
requirements. All the schools are now conducting the training. Teachers
undertake a special course in order to fit themselves for the work.
The training consists of not less than fifteen minutes each day devoted
to physical exercises and a short time occupied in marching drill,
which, in practice, is infantry squad drill. In addition, the cadet can
choose two of the following subjects as part of his military course:
1. Miniature rifle shooting.
2. Swimming.
3. Running exercises in organized games.
4. First aid to the wounded.
From the above schedule it is easily understood that the cadet training
of ninety hours per year is one of the popular courses of the schools.
What the junior cadets look forward to during the whole of their period
of apprenticeship is the date of their fourteenth birthday, when they
become seniors. The two titles come down from the days of the Roman
republic, when the young men of that nation espoused military training
in order to fit themselves for war. The Australian senior cadet forms
part of his country’s military system. A pride and glow of patriotism
fills his breast when first he dons his uniform. Then he receives his
“Record Book” in which will be written the history of his military
life, he is allotted arms and accoutrements and assigned to a company.
It is safe to say that the young Australian experiences much the same
feelings as did the novitiate knight of old when first he donned armor
and lifted spear.
Now the cadet comes under military discipline. Companies are as a
rule 120 strong, including three officers, five sergeants and four
corporals. Nothing more complicated than company evolutions are
attempted in the way of drill, which includes the manual of arms. At
times, the companies are formed into battalions for some ceremonial and
this gives added zest to the training. As the boys enter into their
work with all the enthusiasm of youth, they soon attain a proficiency
that approaches the drilling of West Point cadets in the United States.
In the outlying districts, the cadet companies recruited in the remote
grazing country are remarkable for the physique of the members.
Nevertheless, battalions formed in city areas respond rapidly to
systematic physical instruction, and show sharp improvement in body, in
mentality and in morality at the end of the course.
The introduction to military training is continued for four years. At
the end of that time, when the senior cadet reaches his eighteenth
year, he is brought before the medical officer of his training area
for examination. He is then classified as either first, fit; second,
conditionally fit; third, temporarily unfit; fourth, unfit; fifth,
not substantially of European origin or descent. According to his
classification he does or does not enter the established militia.
As recently as 1912 service in the militia of Australia was voluntary.
The period of engagement was three years and implied the right to
resign under certain contingencies. The militiaman who attended a
minimum number of parades, equal to twelve full days’ training, was
declared efficient. The only penalty for non-efficiency was discharge.
Officers were selected from citizens in or outside the militia force
without any previous qualification. From the above it can be gathered
that the standard of training was unfortunately low. In order not to
inaugurate too radical a departure from past conditions when the
defense act went into effect, old militia units were continued in
existence, and while their internal organization was interfered with as
little as possible, they were brought up to an improved standard.
In addition new units were created, and these include many old members.
Here a distinct alteration in constitution has been effected. Old
members are not usually re-engaged after the completion of their
current enlistment. This provision is probably put forward in order
to break with some of the past traditions. Non-commissioned officers,
however, are encouraged to re-enlist.
Classes report annually at one date, usually July 1st, and when their
eight-year service is complete the class is mustered out as a body.
As already stated, for the first seven years all the members of the
class must undergo military training not less than sixteen whole days
annually. Efficiency is determined at a yearly test, and militiamen
found not to be up to standard must undergo longer service. Promotion
in all classes is from the ranks and is based on merit. In normal times
about 20,000 senior cadets become liable to training in the militia
every year. This number may be expected to increase as the population
of Australia grows.
Musketry instruction is a special feature of the militiaman’s training
and is carried out along the same general lines pursued in the
British army. Rifle ranges are located within a few miles of all the
training localities. In the mounted services, which are very popular
in Australia, the cavalryman citizen soldier supplies his own mount.
This simple device relieves the commonwealth government of a large item
of expenditure. On the other hand, the field artillery batteries are
supplied with government horses obtained and maintained especially for
the purpose. Australia has a stock of 2,250,000 horses of all types, so
there is little difficulty in supplying the militia needs in the open
market. However, it is proposed to establish a large government stud
farm and breed a uniform type of artillery horse.
Results of universal liability to military training in Australia can
thus be summarized:
Prior to the year 1909 there had been a steadily growing feeling in
Australia that the 25,000 available militia was entirely insufficient
for local defense. The Federal Government, after careful study,
discovered that it was in no financial condition to increase the
military forces on the same lines and at the same rates of pay as
then in force. To expand the militia to 120,000 would have meant an
outlay far too great in proportion to revenues, and it was also deemed
impossible, even if the money were available, to bring the citizen
force up to this strength through voluntary enlistment.
Neither was it thought that under the old standard of instruction the
increased numbers would produce increased efficiency. Soldiering,
as then conducted, would often operate to the disadvantage of the
patriotic militiaman because of the short-sightedness of his employer.
Men lost their jobs for going to camp, resignations which were
allowable were frequent, and thus it was considered that even if it
were possible to continue the volunteer enlistments, the average length
of service would be curtailed.
To wipe out the citizen forces already existing, which cost so much for
the result obtained, and to increase the regular forces to a new war
establishment, would have given a very good fighting machine. Because
of its cost, and the prejudice of the Australians against a large
regular army, such a scheme was rejected. Between these two extremes
the new system has been evolved.