Lt. Gen. David Morrison, the head of Australia’s army, had a blunt statement for misogynist soldiers on Friday: Control your behaviors or quit.
“I will be ruthless in ridding the army of people who cannot live up to its values,” he said, speaking of the need to rid the military of those who “exploit and demean” female recruits, Agence France-Presse reported.
“Those who think that it is OK to behave in a way that demeans … their colleagues have no place in this army,” he said, AFP reported. “If that does not suit you, then get out. You may find another employer where your attitude is accepted, but I doubt it.”
He added, AFP reported: “The same goes for those who think that toughness is built on humiliating others.”
The genesis for the tough talk was Thursday’s big media reveal: Hundreds of “explicit and repugnant” emails and pictures involving military members were discovered. The scandal touched at about 100 recruits and 17 higher ranking military members, AFP said.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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