Over familiarization
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: S.E. U.K.
Age: 67
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If in doubt BANG OUT!
Perhaps This Might Be Illuminating..General defends 'underground' army website..
Of course we Australians are a little less formal....mate. I guess you might wish for the Chief Air Whatsit to visit Pprune, at least one person has found such websites illuminating..
General defends 'underground' army website
http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...851184506.html
Frank Walker
October 22, 2006
General Peter Leahy, reader, now writer, on the website.
Photo: Chris Lane
THE head of the Australian Army has personally intervened to stop bureaucrats blocking soldiers' access to an unofficial website where they can vent their anger and concerns about military life.
Army chief General Peter Leahy is fighting Defence Department officials for the right of military whistleblowers to complain about poor conditions and shoddy equipment.
Defence technical officers suddenly blocked all Defence Department computers from the website, called Fire Support Base.
General Leahy, who was reading the website at the time, immediately stepped in and ordered that the ban be lifted.
He stunned website members by posting a message under his own name, saying he had not ordered the ban, that it had been a decision of "the geek system", and that he had ordered access be restored.
The website has served for more than a year as an underground forum for military personnel to discuss grievances about equipment and controversial issues.
There are about 600 members of firesupportbase.com They have to give their real names to join but post material online using nicknames.
Members were shocked to find that the head of the army was also a member and had been quietly reading their gripes.
General Leahy posted under his real name without mentioning his rank.
"I have been working my way through the sites over the last few weeks and have found them very informative and, in most instances, constructive and useful," he wrote after members complained they had been locked out.
"I have certainly not ordered the geeks to block access. My ego is not bruised, I have actually learned a lot. I will try and find out tomorrow what is going on, and if the site has been banned I will ask to have access restored immediately. Peter Leahy."
The response was immediate. "Is this for real ?" asked 'Ballistician'. "I find it hard to believe he would look at what we yobbos have to say!"
General Leahy wrote back: "Yes, it is me. With regard to the site being barred, I have asked some questions this morning. From what I can see, the geek system has barred the site themselves. I have asked why and at the same time requested that the site be restored. Peter Leahy."
The website manager, a former soldier who did not want to be named, told The Sunday Age General Leahy joined the site two months ago, but this was the first time he had posted a message.
"It is great as he is getting unfiltered news and views direct from the ranks and concerned officers rather than having bureaucrats in Canberra dilute and filter stuff before it reaches him," the website manager said.
General Leahy also has access to a restricted inner forum on the site that discusses sensitive weapons and deployment problems.
Only approved serving ADF members have access to this inner forum, where troops air concerns such as the mental effects of deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan and moral issues arising from the fighting.
General defends 'underground' army website
http://www.theage.com.au/news/nation...851184506.html
Frank Walker
October 22, 2006
General Peter Leahy, reader, now writer, on the website.
Photo: Chris Lane
THE head of the Australian Army has personally intervened to stop bureaucrats blocking soldiers' access to an unofficial website where they can vent their anger and concerns about military life.
Army chief General Peter Leahy is fighting Defence Department officials for the right of military whistleblowers to complain about poor conditions and shoddy equipment.
Defence technical officers suddenly blocked all Defence Department computers from the website, called Fire Support Base.
General Leahy, who was reading the website at the time, immediately stepped in and ordered that the ban be lifted.
He stunned website members by posting a message under his own name, saying he had not ordered the ban, that it had been a decision of "the geek system", and that he had ordered access be restored.
The website has served for more than a year as an underground forum for military personnel to discuss grievances about equipment and controversial issues.
There are about 600 members of firesupportbase.com They have to give their real names to join but post material online using nicknames.
Members were shocked to find that the head of the army was also a member and had been quietly reading their gripes.
General Leahy posted under his real name without mentioning his rank.
"I have been working my way through the sites over the last few weeks and have found them very informative and, in most instances, constructive and useful," he wrote after members complained they had been locked out.
"I have certainly not ordered the geeks to block access. My ego is not bruised, I have actually learned a lot. I will try and find out tomorrow what is going on, and if the site has been banned I will ask to have access restored immediately. Peter Leahy."
The response was immediate. "Is this for real ?" asked 'Ballistician'. "I find it hard to believe he would look at what we yobbos have to say!"
General Leahy wrote back: "Yes, it is me. With regard to the site being barred, I have asked some questions this morning. From what I can see, the geek system has barred the site themselves. I have asked why and at the same time requested that the site be restored. Peter Leahy."
The website manager, a former soldier who did not want to be named, told The Sunday Age General Leahy joined the site two months ago, but this was the first time he had posted a message.
"It is great as he is getting unfiltered news and views direct from the ranks and concerned officers rather than having bureaucrats in Canberra dilute and filter stuff before it reaches him," the website manager said.
General Leahy also has access to a restricted inner forum on the site that discusses sensitive weapons and deployment problems.
Only approved serving ADF members have access to this inner forum, where troops air concerns such as the mental effects of deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan and moral issues arising from the fighting.
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: England
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I propose: Can Jerry Robinson Fix the Royal Air Force?
(see the BBC2 NHS version - very enlightening and lots to learn!)
Last edited by FOMere2eternity; 10th Jan 2007 at 07:59.
