Recommended reading for soldiers, old and new

Army is an organisation of war, with a “duty to kill” the enemy and be as “good at it as you can be”.

The Soldier - Volume 1, produced by Army, articulates this honestly, saying the quiet parts out loud in a way I’ve not seen before – and it’s refreshing.

This handbook leaves no room for eye-rolling or ridicule.

It outlines what’s expected of a soldier, what to expect from war, how to conduct yourself, and states in no uncertain terms a soldier’s role:

“You have the most serious of purposes: to prepare for and win Australia’s wars.”

The reality of combat is not understated. It describes battle as “violent, bloody, noisy, confusing and dangerous”, and the soldier’s moral code, which includes unlimited liability.

This is the requirement to give our lives for Australia when lawfully ordered to do so, something every soldier should be at peace with on joining and not lose sight of thereafter.

There is a real gravity to what’s written, and rightly so, because a soldier who understands the reality of the profession, free from illusion, will be more effective and better prepared.

While much of what it lays out can seem grim, it captures well the “paradox” that exposure to humanity’s darkest aspects can forge bonds of camaraderie, mutual respect and shared experience.

“The brutality of war both challenges and reveals the full spectrum of human behaviour, from its worst to its very best.”

This resonated with my own military experience as a seasoned sniper and beyond.

It was being around a group of soldiers who cared about me, who I could trust with my life, and who I could share humour and shenanigans with – that made a hostile environment a place I wanted to be.

The Soldier captures this well. It takes quotes from veterans spanning Army’s history, using their experience as lessons.

You’ll read accounts of courage, sacrifice, mateship and placing mission above all. It might sound trite when I write it, but reading it from those who lived it carries weight.

I wouldn’t ordinarily review an Army handbook, nor was I directed to. It was handed to me before publication by another soldier, impressed enough by its content to send it to me.

If you’re new to Army, read it and embody its message. If you’ve been around for a while, read it; it will fire that pride that comes with service.

And remember: we have the most serious of purposes.

Hard copies of The Soldier have been distributed to units across Australia, with a digital version also available on the Australian Army website: www.army.gov.au/our-work/strategy/ essentials-land-warfare