DRA members will be aware of the significant media publicity this year that sought to denigrate the standards and performance of reserve commandos because they were reservists. It might be expected that the defence leadership and media organisation would spring into action to protect reservists who have been vilified in the media. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for the reserve commandos who served in Afghanistan in February 2009.

It stands for DRA and the defence community to support reservists on active service. This may be an ongoing need. Particularly objectionable is the frequent comment in the media that because soldiers are reservists they lack in training or expertise.

It should not be assumed that because a unit leaves Australia predominately manned by members of the Army Reserve it is less trained, less prepared or less competent than a Regular Army unit.  Reserve units may be as well or better trained or equipped and reservists do bring additional life skills and experience.

In the village of Sikh Murgab in southern Afghanistan in February 2009, civilians were killed including regrettably some young children. There can be no doubt that the commandos involved deeply regret that outcome. The commandos were not undertaking an assassination as suggested in the media. A fierce gun battle took place in the dark and the deceased man fired nearly 100 rounds from an AK-47 at fellow Afghanis from the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and the commandos.

The commandos were in a mud brick room just a few feet away with the walls exploding around them due to the fire that was aimed at them from an adjacent room. Only a year before, commando Luke Worley had been killed in almost identical circumstances. The ANA soldiers present called on the man in his own language (Pashtu) to lay down his weapon and cease the contact. Even after he was advised that there were Australians outside he responded by changing magazines and continuing firing. The reason for this is unknown but it resulted in his death and that of others in his family.

The Taliban are a sophisticated enemy. Their commanders seized the opportunity straight away and provided an alleged witness who was later discredited but who was seen by millions of TV viewers. Of course, they wish to create an atmosphere of doubt, win the battle for hearts and minds, and create the circumstances we now have - doubt, division, recrimination, investigation and potential prosecution of the commandos concerned.

DRA invites defence leaders to respond publicly when reservists are denigrated in the Australian media and to ensure that they are supported and fairly treated.