Afghanistan's rapid collapse fuels anger within elite SAS over public 'mistreatment' - ABC News

The Taliban's swift re-emergence is reigniting bitterness inside Australia's most elite military unit over the way SAS soldiers were dealt with following damning Afghanistan war crime allegations.

Key points:

• Morale within the SAS is said to have hit "rock bottom" 
• Sources say many soldiers have been "forced out" since November's public release of the Brereton report
• They argue that they're being removed after being "judged guilty by association"

Despite recent praise for its role in the Afghanistan evacuation mission, sources inside the highly secretive Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) say morale is at "rock bottom," and the rival 2nd Commando Regiment "appears to be taking over" special forces command.

Last year the Brereton inquiry found "credible evidence" that Australian special forces were responsible for the murder of at least 39 Afghans during this country's longest war. 

This week the government unveiled a "command and control" overhaul of the SAS, saying it would make the regiment "stronger and ready for the challenges ahead". 

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A recent open letter written by a former "senior" non-commissioned SAS officer claims many Afghanistan veterans are being removed from the regiment after being "judged guilty by association".

The anonymous soldier, who claims he too was "recently forced out" despite no "adverse findings" from his Afghanistan service, argues many colleagues are also having "their careers stripped away from them".

"Multiple SASR operators who served in Afghanistan and who didn't receive a Potentially Affected Persons notice (PAP) are systematically being forced out of the SASR," the officer writes.

"Operators in SASR have endured 6 years as an organisation, of voiceless mental anguish as individuals and as families; they have been denigrated in the media with no counter narrative or support from ADF."

More than 100 people attached to the SAS have reportedly left the regiment since the release of a war crimes inquiry.(

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In the document, titled The Piecemeal Destruction of Australia's Special Missions Unit, the author claims "right now there are currently 50 middle management SASR operators discharging from SASR and ADF".

Another SAS figure, speaking to the ABC on the condition of anonymity, claimed a total of "more than 100" members of the elite unit had left since November's public release of the Brereton report.

"Three majors within the regiment were all due for promotion recently, but because they're veterans of the Afghanistan conflict they've been passed over," the figure said.

"The Commandos are slowly taking over the Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) which is now also run by an officer that has never served with the SAS."

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The Defence Department has declined to say how many members of the SASR have left following the Brereton inquiry.

But it recently confirmed it has commenced "administrative action" against 17 soldiers who served in Afghanistan.

"Army initiated administrative action, inclusive of a Notice to Show Cause, for termination of service against 17 individuals where alleged failure to comply with Australian Defence Force expectations and values was identified," the Department said on its website.

Defence support services:

• The Defence all-hours Support Line is a confidential telephone and online service for ADF members and their families 1800 628 036
• Open Arms provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families 1800 011 046
• Soldier On is a national support services provider for Defence personnel, contemporary veterans, and their families. Contact during office hours 1300 620 380

The ABC understands 13 of the soldiers have since been discharged for medical or other reasons, while three remain in full time or reserve service, and another is now serving with the United Arab Emirates military.

Last week Defence Minister Peter Dutton publicly apologised to soldiers who had their "show cause" notices withdrawn because of a lack of evidence to warrant further investigation.

"Clearly if people have been wrongly accused and they have now been cleared of that then I do apologise for what they have been through, what their families have been through," Mr Dutton told Radio 2GB.

Defence has also declined to comment on speculation former SAS members may take legal action against the army for the manner in which they were removed.

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2021-09-01 19:01:15Z
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