a navy cadet program in Western Sydney is training young Muslims who may one day fight for Australia.





At Provisional Training Ship Australia in Sydney's west, teenage girls wear black headscarves under their camouflage caps, and boys have full, dark beards.

Until their cadet unit was established in March, neither of those things would have been allowed under Navy cadet rules.

The organisation’s openness to catering for young Muslims is one of the keys to the program's success, cadets say.

"To have the same opportunities without shaving my beard, keeping my religion, it's a big relief,” one teenage cadet said.

Training Ship Australia was set up in Lidcombe in March as a way to reach out to the area’s multicultural - particularly, Muslim - youth.

The entire Australian Defence Force has just 98 people who identify as being of Islamic faith.

Already Training Ship Australia has nearly half that amount.

Cadets don't always go on to serve in defence, but some are considering it.

One 18-year-old girl said she felt the unit was paving the way for other young Muslims.

"I think we've all proven to a lot of people that young Australian Muslims can be part of the Australian force,” she said.

Most of the cadets at the Training Ship attend Islamic schools and go home to Islamic communities.

Captain Shindy said a recent weekend away with Training Ship Hawkesbury was an eye-opener for all involved.



http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/08/18/meet-young-muslims-getting-ready-fight-australia

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Annie Anthrax wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 4:51pm:

a navy cadet program in Western Sydney is training young Muslims who may one day fight for Australia. The entire Australian Defence Force has just 98 people who identify as being of Islamic faith.

Those young muslims will have to join our military if they want to fight for Australia, the cadets is hardly doing military service,i guess muslims like to talk up the non achievements of muslims.

400,000 muslims in Australia and only 98 in the ADF?
Half of our muslim population is not in the workforce, the unemployment rate for muslims is much higher than non muslims (a thread on it in this forum),what an achievement getting 98 muslims into our ADF,Brian Ross claims to be friends with one of them.

The cadets are no big deal we had them when i was in high school, the annual camp to Singleton army base gave me my first shots with a M16 and L1A1,in those days we trusted teenagers with assault rifles on firing ranges.

What was the old Navy motto-
No sea to rough
No muff too tough

Good to see, I will be interested to see how it turns out.

Baronvonrort wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 5:14pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Aug 18th, 2014 at 4:51pm: a navy cadet program in Western Sydney is training young Muslims who may one day fight for Australia. The entire Australian Defence Force has just 98 people who identify as being of Islamic faith. Those young muslims will have to join our military if they want to fight for Australia, the cadets is hardly doing military service,i guess muslims like to talk up the non achievements of muslims. 400,000 muslims in Australia and only 98 in the ADF? Half of our muslim population is not in the workforce, the unemployment rate for muslims is much higher than non muslims (a thread on it in this forum),what an achievement getting 98 muslims into our ADF,Brian Ross claims to be friends with one of them. The cadets are no big deal we had them when i was in high school, the annual camp to Singleton army base gave me my first shots with a M16 and L1A1,in those days we trusted teenagers with assault rifles on firing ranges. What was the old Navy motto- No sea to rough No muff too tough

You're such a Debbie Downer, Rorty.

Baronvonrort wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 5:14pm:

Annie Anthrax wrote on Aug 18th, 2014 at 4:51pm: a navy cadet program in Western Sydney is training young Muslims who may one day fight for Australia. The entire Australian Defence Force has just 98 people who identify as being of Islamic faith. Those young muslims will have to join our military if they want to fight for Australia, the cadets is hardly doing military service,i guess muslims like to talk up the non achievements of muslims. 400,000 muslims in Australia and only 98 in the ADF? Half of our muslim population is not in the workforce, the unemployment rate for muslims is much higher than non muslims (a thread on it in this forum),what an achievement getting 98 muslims into our ADF,Brian Ross claims to be friends with one of them. The cadets are no big deal we had them when i was in high school, the annual camp to Singleton army base gave me my first shots with a M16 and L1A1,in those days we trusted teenagers with assault rifles on firing ranges. What was the old Navy motto- No sea to rough No muff too tough

How many jews or buddhists in the Aussie army or police force?

Probably Australia's illegal invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq are not very good for recruiting.

What kind of person wants to be part of an organisation that violates international law?

wally1 wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 5:22pm:

How many jews or buddhists in the Aussie army or police force?

Jews?  Several thousand most probably in the defence forces overall.

Buddhists?  Several hundred, perhaps at most.  The military is not the usual career choice for those that follow a pacifist philosophy.

Police?  It would vary from state to state but more than likely smaller proportions of both.   The Police in Australia have tended to be drawn from the dominant religious groups so they'd primarily be Anglican or Catholic.  Before about 1960 when Sectarianism was strife, Catholics tended to make up the lower ranks and Anglicans the upper ranks (deliberately).

This Cadet unit is a good example of integration, which of course we are told continually Muslims don't do here or overseas.  It should be encouraged.  I served with a Muslim in the Australian Army and he was quite rare then, in the 1980s.  The more we accept and make Muslims part of our society the better it will be and the less they will be alienated from it and hence less likely to be pushed into the arms of radicals by a society which outright rejects them and everything about their religion, as too many here do, all the time (and then they're surprised when some of them go off to Syria and cut heads off...   ::)  ).

Quote:

I served with a Muslim in the Australian Army

Was this before or after your academic career?

freediver wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 7:47pm:

Quote: I served with a Muslim in the Australian Army Was this before or after your academic career?

Before.  And what have you done with your life, FD?

I've been many things over the years.   ;D

First I was an astronaut. Then a brain surgeon. These days I sell carpets. It's funny where life takes you hey?

freediver wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 7:51pm:

First I was an astronaut. Then a brain surgeon. These days I sell carpets. It's funny where life takes you hey?

It is indeed.  I assume your carpets are new, not second hand?  How kilometres on the clock?  What's the warranty like?    ;D

Oh, and before Annie gets upset, enough of the banter, you got anything relevant to say about the thread, FD or you just going to attack me personally?   ::)

Brian Ross wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 7:41pm:

wally1 wrote on Aug 18th, 2014 at 5:22pm: How many jews or buddhists in the Aussie army or police force? Jews?  Several thousand most probably in the defence forces overall. Buddhists?  Several hundred, perhaps at most.  The military is not the usual career choice for those that follow a pacifist philosophy. Police?  It would vary from state to state but more than likely smaller proportions of both.   The Police in Australia have tended to be drawn from the dominant religious groups so they'd primarily be Anglican or Catholic.  Before about 1960 when Sectarianism was strife, Catholics tended to make up the lower ranks and Anglicans the upper ranks (deliberately). This Cadet unit is a good example of integration, which of course we are told continually Muslims don't do here or overseas.  It should be encouraged.  I served with a Muslim in the Australian Army and he was quite rare then, in the 1980s.  The more we accept and make Muslims part of our society the better it will be and the less they will be alienated from it and hence less likely to be pushed into the arms of radicals by a society which outright rejects them and everything about their religion, as too many here do, all the time (and then they're surprised when some of them go off to Syria and cut heads off...   ::)  ).

any statistics on religious percentages in the army?

I read a article today saying that the exact number of jews are unknown in the army, but you say couple thousand.

wally1 wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 8:34pm:

any statistics on religious percentages in the army?

Quote:

Religious affiliation in Army Army’s religious affiliation was captured from two sources including the ADF Census and the human resource system, PMKeyS. 25  Figures shown in Table 1 indicate that Army’s total religious affiliation comprised around 59% Christian and less than 2% non-Christian. Although the proportion of those indicating a Christian affiliation in Army was similar to the broader Australian population, non-Christian and non-religious affiliations varied considerably.26  The proportion  of non-Christian affiliation was about six percentage points lower than the wider population, and non-religious Army personnel was around eight to ten points higher. The relatively low level of non- Christian representation is a point of concern given that there are no obvious barriers to religious diversity in Army. Unlike gender representation, where the recruiting and retention of women has been constrained by cultural and career management barriers,27 and the recruiting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is constrained by selection disadvantage,28 there are no similar barriers to entry that apply uniquely to religious affiliation. Although this may oversimplify the experiences of those seeking to enter the Army, and further research may be required to identify any organisational barriers, it remains unclear why non-Christian religious representation is so low across the board. Interestingly, this low representation of non-Christian religions is also present among other comparable nations. Figures from the United Kingdom (UK), Canada and the United States of America indicate similar levels of religious under-representation in their armies as shown in Table 2 (although the time period over which figures were obtained differs between countries and between Census and Army figures). It is possible that some of the underlying reasons may be common between nations and that these are reflected in Australia’s figures. For example, concerns about racism within the military or cultural reluctance towards military service, which are significant factors in the UK, may also be factors restricting proportional representation in Australia.

[url=http://www.army.gov.au/~/media/Files/Our%20future/LWSC%20Publications/AAJ/2013Winter/AustralianArmyJournal_V10N3Winter.pdf]Source[/url]

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/911/GNbpN7.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/640x480q90/911/VKcAdk.jpg


Quote:

I read a article today saying that the exact number of jews are unknown in the army, but you say couple thousand.

I am sure Army knows pretty well how many Jews there are in it's ranks, as it does all other religious affiliations.

Needless to say the strict dress code for these cadets should be enforced as it is with everyone else.

Once again it's an example of creeping Islamisation ~ and once again the chicken-livered leadership of this country panders to Muslim mono-culturalism.

No hijabs ~ no beards.

These are supposed to be Australian cadets ~ not Muslim cadets, or Christian cadets, or any other kind of cadet.

Australians wear a certain uniform in the cadets and the army.

The word is 'uniform'. One dress code ~ no exceptions. If these people refuse to comply with the dress code ~ then they should be refused enlistment in any part of the Australian military services.

This endless pandering to Muslim 'rights' and exceptionalism is breeding a community that is being allowed to develop itself as a parallel entity to Australian society instead of it being an integral and assimilated part of it.

These concessions will one day lead to Muslim demands to have their own Sharia State in Australia. It may take 100 or 200 years, but the day will surely arrive ~ and it will have had its beginnings in our leaders constantly granting concessions and special allowances for these people.

Our home-grown Muslim terrorists over there in the Middle East, and those who have already arrived back here are all a product of successive Australian governments having pandered to the Muslim community with grants, and concessions, and Islamic schools, and pussy-footing over child marriages and female circumcision, and generally being apologetic and reluctant to hurt 'Muslim sensitivities'.

Cases taken to court in which police officers have made arrests over drug trafficking have been dismissed by 'progressive' judges because the officers didn't treat the females in these cases with proper cultural sensitivity for their religious identity.

It's time the government made a major announcement to our Muslim community ~ start to assimilate in the same way as other migrants have assimilated ~ or we'll give you a free trip back to the Middle East where your hearts and your identity has its real home.

WAKE UP AUSTRALIA.  

Been down this argument several times before, Herbie.  Allowances are made within military dress regulations to allow religious items of dress to be worn with uniform.  For Sikhs this includes their dagger, the Kirpan and the turban.  Jews can wear yamalka in certain situations.  Diet is another important area where religious allowance is made, with pork not being served to Jews, Hindus or Muslims, beef to Hindus and Sikhs, kosher food to observant Jews (they even have allowance to prepare their own food when possible) and Halal to Muslims and the equivalent to Hindus.

The Army has made such allowances basically since WWI.  When it isn't possible because of operational constraints then it doesn't happen but when it is possible, it is allowed.

It's only outsiders like you who seem to get their knickers in a twist over the issue.  Army has no problems with it.   ::)

I was told a couple of years ago by a young Christian fellow of Arab descent that he visited an army barracks in Victoria, and had soldiers yelling "wog!" at him from all sides. Doesn't sound to me like a friendly place for someone who isn't blonde-haired and blue-eyed.

Abbott Lies wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 9:41pm:

I was told a couple of years ago by a young Christian fellow of Arab descent that he visited an army barracks in Victoria, and had soldiers yelling "wog!" at him from all sides. Doesn't sound to me like a friendly place for someone who isn't blonde-haired and blue-eyed.

I dunno.  Perhaps DL might like to comment?  He's the one with inside knowledge of being in the Army.  Does he reckon such racism exists there?   ;D ;D ;D :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D

Abbott Lies wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 9:41pm:

I was told a couple of years ago by a young Christian fellow of Arab descent that he visited an army barracks in Victoria, and had soldiers yelling "wog!" at him from all sides. Doesn't sound to me like a friendly place for someone who isn't blonde-haired and blue-eyed.

Exactly. Until Mr Abbott finally stops the boats, this is the strategy.

Be mean to a Muselman. It’s our duty as a civilised race. We simply won’t have them anymore.

We call it Team Australia.

Abbott Lies wrote on Aug 18^th, 2014 at 7:18pm:

What kind of person wants to be part of an organisation that violates international law?

We have an estimated 150 or more aussie muslims fighting in Syria and Iraq, a few have been killed in suicide bombings.

We have 98 aussie muslims in the Australian defence forces.

Did anyone notice the english accent with the muslim who chopped of Mr Foley's head,where do you think that muslim came from?

Baronvonrort wrote on Aug 20^th, 2014 at 9:55pm:

We have 98 aussie muslims in the Australian defence forces.

Interesting.  According to whom?

Brian Ross wrote on Aug 20^th, 2014 at 10:41pm:

Baronvonrort wrote on Aug 20th, 2014 at 9:55pm: We have 98 aussie muslims in the Australian defence forces. Interesting.  According to whom?

Amusing.

Deny it.

Lionel Edriess wrote on Aug 20^th, 2014 at 11:02pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Aug 20th, 2014 at 10:41pm: Baronvonrort wrote on Aug 20th, 2014 at 9:55pm: We have 98 aussie muslims in the Australian defence forces. Interesting.  According to whom? Amusing. Deny it.

Me or the Baron, Lionel?

I'm not denying anything, I'm just wondering where the number came from, thats all.   ::)

It was cited in the SBS article in the OP.

polite_gandalf wrote on Aug 20^th, 2014 at 11:18pm:

It was cited in the SBS article in the OP.

Ah, so it was.  Missed that.   My apologies.  Carry on.