Originally posted by Silenthunter:
I think in terms of troop to troop comparision, the Aussie soldier BY AVERAGE is tougher, fitter and more pro than an SAF soldier. Cos most of us are NS troops unless you're talking about SAF regulars who are trained for years.
Due to the fact that most of them are caucasian, they are bigger in size. They and moves faster cos they got longer legs and are able to carry remarkable load.
Equipment wise, I would say we are almost equally equipped.
All IMO.....
One more thing, they got a pretty nice War record and their citizens hold their army with high respect. Unlike Singapore, cos everyone will definately be in the army....
Yeah..isn't that a pity sometimes? I wish that S'poreans would hold their military with higher respect....the only time I hear them praising the SAF and all is, is when our neighbour starts making "war comments". Even in Thailland, the little kids would wave to us when we pass them by in our jeeps.
About the part on Aussies being fitter than us, I doubt it. There was a report in the papers that Aussies troops in the recent years are becoming overweight and that there was a "Battle of The Bulge" campaign going on, to get the armed forces back in shape.
Of cos, the SASR and other elite units are already in shape.
One thing I know for sure...their BMT isn't like ours with all that psychological harassment, "tekan" training and all...in fact, they hold soldier's welfare as being of utmost importance. Not bad huh?
Carrying heavy loads tends to bog a soldier down. It was proven again and again in every major conflict. The less you carry, the better off you are...
The U.S. Army Natick Report on the war in Afghanistan is a good evaluation of equipment and tactics, including individual soldier's load.
Professionalism is a sure-thing for the Aussies. They are highly professional, and they have the experience of nearly 60 years of jungle warfare. I guess that we have to understand the limitations of a majoritarian conscript army. However, the U.S. Army in WWII was a conscript army itself...and they managed to defeat the Nazis. I think training is the key to closing the professional-conscript gap.
