Introduction

The Defence value of respect is described as ‘The humanity of character to value others and treat them with dignity’ (Defence, Values and Behaviours). Where have you seen this value of respect demonstrated at its best?

ANZAC Day commemorates how the first ANZACs demonstrated to the world the military virtues of courage, teamwork and self-sacrifice. But one ANZAC talk reminded me we also remember with pride how the ANZACs added a few unique qualities that have become almost standard for the Australian digger: mateship and mutual trust, initiative and resourcefulness, discipline from earned respect rather than assumed worth, a tendency not to take ourselves too seriously (and the humour to remind one another not to let anyone get away with taking themselves too seriously), and an element of respect that we ought never to forget – a respect for the capability and courage of ally and foe alike.

Respect is a Defence value that safeguards human rights and dignity of everyone – including non-combatant citizens, enemy forces and POWs. When we fail to respect the humanity and dignity of others, we are tempted to dehumanise and mistreat others.

The cartoon above is a caution about not enjoying what is sometimes a last-resort-necessary-part of soldiering. ADF Careers have a dilemma in that they recruit people who are willing and able to be trained to use lethal force, but they avoid recruiting people looking for violence. The first sort of person are trained soldiers. The second sort are psychopaths – and there is no place in Defence for them. We must never set our respect for the dignity of other aside. We must never engage in or ignore behaviours such as mistreatment or torture of POWs, targeting or any cruelty to civilians, or any humanitarian breaches.

As Chief of Army in 2017, LT-GEN Angus Campbell stated: ‘When you are scared, exhausted, confused and your mates are dead, our weapons won’t discriminate the innocent from the enemy combatant – you will.’ This is what respect for the dignity of all brings to operational service. You can read the full article at Domestic violence—‘silence is the accomplice’, says Australia’s Chief of Army | The Strategist.

Respect is also critical within teams. We need to know that the mate beside us has our back when we need it, and that they can trust us to have theirs. We all bring different capabilities to Defence. But we also come from different backgrounds and yet need and rely on each other. Imagine how poorer we would be in Defence if we were all the same. Imagine what it would be like if Defence did not accept difference.

Have you heard of Alan Turing? He broke the Enigma Code in WWII, as shown in the movie The Imitation Game. He was a brilliant mathematician who brought this capability to the Allies at a critical time. He was also secretly gay and was criminalised for his sexuality, as foreshadowed in an early scene in the movie What if I don’t fancy her? (0:44).

I asked new diggers where they have seen and learned respect in Defence. They told me how they learn early the importance of respect towards the Chain of Command. We respect those who are senior to us when we salute. We respect those who have gone before us by marching on and honouring the parade ground, especially on ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day. We respect our nation when saluting the flag. Moreover, we respect the contribution of colleagues whatever their gender, sexual identity, age, cultural background, religious faith or lack thereof, political leaning or football code.

Respect ensures people we live and work with feel safe. As soldiers, we learn to use force appropriately, but we never use force at home. Family and Domestic Violence undermines respect for those we are supposed to love the most. With colleagues we may find attractive, we don’t cross the line with inappropriate suggestiveness or unwelcome sexual advances. Such harassment or abuse undermines respect and the right of colleagues to feel safe.

From my survey of learners in character training classes, it is interesting there are lots of subtle as well as obvious ways to show respect. We listen attentively and don’t talk over the top of people. We loop around after a run or gym circuit to join and finish with those finishing later. We respect different views and backgrounds and choices. We check up on sick mates. We honour those who are injured as still part of the team and not ever use unfair labels to suggest malingering. We respect the personal space of others in the gym and lines. We treat others the way we want to be treated. We show respect with manners, discipline, kindness, volunteering for tasks, appropriately pointing out things that need correction, and playing our part on the team – not slacking off and leaving duties to others.

When respect is part of our team culture, we will be open to learn from one another. The ADF Leadership doctrine also has an important point about when respect is earned:

Respect produces a humility that is not about timidly devaluing ourselves, but honouring the team for all that our differences bring.

Historical inspiration – LTCOL Ralph Honner DCO MC at Kokoda

An inspiring episode of respect was demonstrated by LTCOL Ralph ‘Jump’ Honner DCO MC at Kokoda. See the 2006 movie Kokoda or Ralph Honner: Kokoda Hero. The 39^th Battalion (comprising mostly national servicemen – Chocos – with little formal military training) deployed to Moresby for garrison duty and work parties. Then they were directed up the Kokoda Track to halt any Japanese advance. COVE’s video ‘Australia’s Kokoda Campaign’ shows the battlefield’s progression. One of the fiercest exchanges was at the Battle of Isurava. The courage of the choco diggers is inspiring. But so too is the respect expressed in the CO’s address after their stand at Menari village on 6^th Sep 1942:

LTCOL Honner’s respect for his troops bolstered morale and he also strategically utilised combined artillery support and a strategic fighting withdrawal against overwhelming numbers. Honner brought out the best in his troops, later commenting on the importance of respect for one another:

The Kokoda story also has lessons for respecting local people – certainly the debt Aussie diggers feel towards Papuans, nicknamed with the then respectful though now socially outdated term Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels, who served as carriers and scouts is legendary.

In return for his respect, LTCOL Honner was shown respect by his own troops, and by the Japanese. At his funeral, a Japanese veteran attended unannounced, approached the coffin, bowed stiffly in respect, and bowed again as he gave a letter of condolence to Honner’s family.

Contemporary heroes – COL Tim Collins OBE

Colonel Tim Collins OBE gave a rousing eve-of-battle speech as CO to 1^st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment in Kuwait in 2003 before they crossed the Iraq border. His words were off-the-cuff but recorded by a journalist, reproduced by an actor in this video.

‘Col Tim Collins’ Eve of War Speech’ (3:31)

Movie illustration – Remember the Titans

Movies can powerfully inspire values-based character (see COVE’s Positive Psychology at the Movies). For a terrific movie scene that illustrates respect between different social and cultural groups watch the development of teamwork in ‘Remember the Titans – From Division to Team’ (4:46) (best viewed off the DPN):