The Australian SASR has faced increased scrutiny over alleged war crimes in Afghanistan and the charges are of the most serious nature and must be investigated.
However, the unit still requires a degree of freedom to operate that may be above most people’s comfort level. The actions of a few should not destroy the nation’s capability to protect and defend its interests.
An Australian MP, Peter Dutton recently reversed a decision that sought to strip the SASR of its ability to select its own recruits.
“Special operation forces need fewer conventional constraints, to innovate, so the human capability we spend so long finding, selecting and preparing is not stifled or in danger of being misused.”
The regiment’s troubles aside, the impulse to allow the negative behavior of a few to surround the entire unit needs to be resisted.
