TOO PROUD TO ADMIT DEFEAT – DUTY FIRST
2 August 2024
Having enlisted in the Citizens Military Forces in 1969, little did I realise that two years later I would make it a life long career. 53 years later, on the 25 August, I will reflect back upon the years as a soldier in the Australian Regular Army and my thoughts would not be of the challenges but of mates and the two words that would define me and thousands of others.
DUTY FIRST
These two words on their own encapsulates everything about who I am and who we are on a personal and professional level. Yet over the years these two words have been diluted, misused, skewed, misappropriated and certainly mistaken for what it stands for and its meaning to those who have served the nation.
I am certain that much has been written about these two words by individuals great and small. Individuals whose status within the greater veteran community are highly respected and acknowledged by one and all.
Yet, I wonder if the general public has any idea what it means. As an Australian veteran the quote “Duty First to me and many others of my ilk would say that it meant prioritising ones responsibilities to the nation (Australia) before any activity whether its personal responsibilities, pleasures or for the personal enjoyment or gratification of one’s self.
Duty First highlights the values of responsibility to the nation, to those you work with, obligations for the greater good, of discipline and work ethics and being committed to the task one is engaged with. All of the above would come first before engaging any thoughts of pleasure.
Duty First not only encourages individuals to abide by the above characteristics, but it also suggests advocating a sense of balance to assist those engaged in such activities whatever they may be on fulfilling their duty of responsibility.
Those who have served and trained in the art of warfare, do so with a purpose in mind. Duty First is embedded within one’s psyche to prepare them for challenges that will test all of their values, ethics, paradigms and what they believe is the right thing under difficult and adverse conditions.
Having said the above, I do not believe that our training prepares us to acknowledge or accept defeat even in the face of great adversity and overwhelming odds. To accept defeat, let alone acknowledge that we have failed is something we dare not imagine. However in life, our physical bodies may be captured or injured, but because of our Duty First attitude, our minds will not accept or admit defeat.
We are trained for strategic retreats in the face of overwhelming odds, but never accept in our minds that we are defeated. We are of the belief that such thoughts of defeat belong to those who have not endured the difficult journey of those trained in the art of warfare.
As such, Duty First is also applied to our responsibilities to our families, our personal life and to those close to us. However, what we have all failed to do, is recognise that we have a Duty First and/or duty of care to one’s self. If we do not have a Duty First attitude to one’s self, how can we safeguard ourselves against the slings and arrows of assailants who do not understand us.
I write of this because there are veterans in our community who remain silent in the face of adversity, hardships and drama not of their own choosing. The public looks at veterans and say to themselves, “what stoic, tough and strong these individuals are. They are a credit to society and set a good example of how to rise above the hardships they faced”.
I don’t expect everyone to understand me for they may have different points of view, and I for one would respect them for it. I also write this for those families who have lived with veterans and have been touched or influenced by the code of Duty First. It’s not easy being a veteran.
It’s time the public realised that despite the stoic outlook a veteran shows or displays, silent, hidden, dark thoughts and aggression lurks behind their quiet demeanour. It is true when they say about sleeping tigers, “do not wake the beast in fear that it may devour you”.
It is the same with veterans. Do not be fooled by their quiet demeanour, for behind that facades lies a beast like no other. A demon if you like, a monster kept in their cage by the very same discipline that created them. This is where Duty First kicks in and the veteran smiles back at you and moves on.
Duty First is more than just two words. Try and remember that the next time you meet or pass by a veteran or a serving member.
As always, be of good cheer and be happy. The sun will still rise up in the morning even when the skies are grey.
Peter.