I think that sending our regular troops on peace keeping
missions, albeit even though as medics is a good step forward. I
understand that our boys in Timor are also patrolling in the same
zones as the Aussies, who indicated that they wanted the SAF in
their patrol zone.
But this leaves out the majority of our NSF forces who are not
included in these valuable operations / deployments.
As for sending in our conscripted servicemen, I think sending them
wholesale will never go down well with our public...what, with
numbnuts like heartlander complaining that his little poodle has no
'air-con' doing UN duties.
"aiyah, how come ah-boy boy never call back from Timor? he got eat
dinner not? scared hungry ...wait i call his CO now and scold his
CO...never give my boy boy Attend C"
I think that what we can do is to offer UN duties to ALL our
troops. Of course, this will be completely voluntary. I'm sure that
many of us will gladly volunteer just for the experience. As it is
, NS men can offer to go and they do go, and so long as there men
are volunteers, there shouldn't be a problem with them getting hurt
/ killed in the line of duty, cos they are after all,
volunteers.
I for one would jump at a chance like that. It's one thing to be
training here, as realistic as it can be, but it's another thing to
have the pride of having the flag sewn on your arm and carrying our
flag high serving the international community.
Anyhow, the cynics might question who will volunteer, there will be
a huge number who gladly will. Many of my peers have expressed that
given the chance, they would gladly go into harm's way.
It's about time we moved from sending aid drops and medics /doctors
to the next stage of peacekeepers.
what do you guys think?