‘Uncontrolled warrior culture’: Australia’s special forces under fire in new inquiry
An inquiry into the culture and command of Australian special forces in Afghanistan could be a moment of reckoning for the country’s military leadership.
The Australian Defence Force’s inspector-general has released a report detailing the culture and command of Australian special forces during their time in Afghanistan. This inquiry followed the 2020 Brereton report, which revealed the alleged murder of 39 Afghan civilians and prisoners by Australian special forces between 2005 and 2016. The executive summary of the new inquiry focuses on the Special Forces Task Group, particularly questioning the responsibility of commanders for the conduct of special forces operators.
The report has identified nine overarching issues that could lead to broader reforms in Australian special forces operations, painting a picture of inadequate oversight and an "uncontrolled warrior culture." The issues primarily revolve around governance and culture, with concerns surrounding military discipline, communication, and the effective operation of a chain of command.
Liberal MP Andrew Hastie, a former SAS captain, supported the findings, stating that the report confirms unlawful conduct but spreads responsibility throughout the chain of command rather than focusing on individual officers.
One of the most striking findings is the "inversion of authority" within the special forces, where lower-ranking soldiers made operational decisions that would typically be made by more senior personnel. This represents a legal risk under command responsibility, as commanders are legally accountable for the actions of their troops.
The report also highlights the challenge of preserving special forces' independence while increasing central control over operations, a difficulty compounded by their frequent deployments to high-intensity conflicts and combat zones.
The report raises serious moral and potentially legal questions over leadership, support structures, and culture, prompting a moment of reckoning for the Australian Defence Force's leadership regarding the appropriateness of special forces deployments and the burden they bear in military coalitions.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
