The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is considering a controversial new recruitment policy. They are considering recruiting troops from Papua New Guinea (PNG), a country with a legendary fearsome military reputation. The ADF wants to increase its current ranks of 60,000 personnel to 80,000 by 2040. Despite this progress, it is up against daunting challenges to achieve this goal. The other proposal, to recruit more Pacific Islanders—particularly from PNG—has really caught fire. This was preceded by a highly engaging presentation from Ross Thompson, CEO of PeopleIN, who revealed details of an exciting plan based on the British Gurkha model.
Derek Levy, former PNG army officer and former ADF instructor, thinks many Papua New Guineans would jump at the opportunity to join the Australian Defence Force. He finds a real enthusiasm and untapped potential among them. PNG government officials stress the importance of Australia drawing on its nearest neighbour’s supply of new talent. Further, the ADF’s own workforce plan foreshadows moving away from requiring Australian citizenship in pursuing recruitment, including from non Australian Pacific regional partners.
The Gurkha Model and Its Implications
The Gurkha brigade have been an almost legendary part of the British Army for over two centuries. This exceptional unit is composed of the fiercest warriors from Nepal. Operating under this successful model, the Advisory Group was able to facilitate conversations about its potential use for Australia’s military requirements. Ross Thompson’s proposal provides a detailed, step-by-step plan for recruiting from PNG. It highlights the importance of beginning with surface-level registrations and quickly pivoting to more comprehensive inspections.
“You would have an initial registration, then a selection process with the regions of PNG, and then cut that down to a final stage selection that would be in Port Moresby.” – Ross Thompson
Thompson envisions that every step of the military’s recruiting pipeline would measure fitness, medical needs, and aptitude. The latter would be in perfect harmony with the ADF’s stated current personnel needs, which would make the latter all the more effective. He points out that data shows that PNG has sufficient skilled people – those who meet the ADF’s selection criteria – ready and willing to work.
“Each stage would have a fitness, medical and aptitude element, and the aptitude element would get tied back to the gaps in the ADF and the roles it needs to fill,” – Ross Thompson
The possibility of direct recruitment from PNG brings with it a number of caveats. Jennifer Parker of the Australian National University’s National Security College points out that this initiative has a solid theoretical foundation. We have some very real practical challenges looming on the horizon. She emphasizes the need to create training pipelines for future recruits to help close educational divides.
Perspectives on Recruitment Challenges
Though there is broad agreement that recruiting Pacific Islanders would be valuable, some specialists in global health worry about the motivations behind such efforts. Neil James, executive director at the Australia Defence Association defeatist patronage, argues against the need for foreign recruits. He argues that a lack of Australian candidates prepared to enlist creates an ethical issue. This unprecedented moment compels each of us to consider what we want this country’s priorities to be.
“If your own citizens won’t join your own defence force, there’s a moral question everyone needs to start asking as opposed to looking for a quick-fix solution to recruit South Pacific Islanders,” – Jen Parker
Parker further warns of the prospect of stereotyping when linking Pacific Islanders to warrior cultures. On the recruitment, she argues for the creation of units not the continuation of stereotypes against some ethnicities.
“One of the arguments we’ve often heard is that these young, fit Pacific Islanders come from warrior cultures and it’s natural to recruit them into our army,” – Jen Parker
Parker appreciates the untapped talent pool from PNG as potential recruits. Even if these concerns were to prove unsubstantiated, they could not serve with the pride and loyalty bestowed upon them. Derek Levy provides the same sentiment, as he considers his own experiences working with the ADF in Australia.
“Australia felt like a second home. I never got homesick and the standard of employment was the pinnacle of what I saw,” – Derek Levy
Levy considers enrolling in the ADF as a path to rewarding employment. For most Papua New Guineans it stands for an immense honor. He illustrates this wishful thinking by contrasting it with existing approaches in Australia today. Younger citizens there appear more disinclined to step up to military service.
“That’s the opposite of the ADF right now, where the young generation (of Australians) don’t want to join the army. For us it’s different. We do it for the loyalty,” – Derek Levy
Navigating Legal and Structural Hurdles
Implementing such a recruitment strategy that includes foreign nationals will first require the federal government to navigate a complex web of legal frameworks. At the moment, non-Australian recruits have to apply for citizenship within 90 days of signing with the ADF. In some instances, constitutional amendments will be needed to change these rules and make it easier for Pacific Islander recruits to integrate.
Parker wants to see a compromise approach adopted, with Pacific soldiers serving in clearly defined distinct units within the wider ADF structure. This approach could help maintain cultural identity while serving national interests. She argues that any new policy should focus on bringing recruits back to their home countries once they complete their service.
“I think the focus should be on recruiting units as opposed to individuals with a policy that if they serve in Australia, they return home after service,” – Jen Parker
The challenge is still very multidimensional. Parker is quick to point out that even relaxing existing policies can take years.
“It is multifaceted, but we do have evidence from Veterans’ Affairs Minister Matt Keogh himself saying it takes 300 days to get people through the door,” – Jen Parker
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