A message from the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General David Morrison, following the announcement of investigations into allegations of unacceptable behaviour by Army members. Courtesy: AustralianArmyHQ
Unhappy at treatment ... This soldier was kicked out of the army for replying to unsavoury emails. Picture: Luke Fuda Source: News Corp Australia
EXCLUSIVE: Two soldiers tried to kill themselves after they were summarily sacked for their role responding to emails in the so-called 'Jedi Council' affair.
The pair was among six men dismissed from the Australian Army for 'contrary' conduct, but News Corp Australia can reveal their dealings were not synchronised or even organised.
Tried to kill himself ... One of the sacked soldiers linked to the Jedi Council affair. Picture: Luke Fuda Source: News Corp Australia
The Knights of the Jedi Council was in fact a "one member club" — exclusively owned by the ringleader of the email ring.
Most of the other men were dragged in, as they received and replied to emails from former Commando Hastings Frederickson, who pleaded guilty to three charges of using a carriage to cause offence.
The men, who do not want to be named as they are trying to rebuild their shattered lives, say they were scapegoats used by Army Chief Lieutenant General David Morrison as part of his very public campaign to stamp out sexist behaviour in the ranks.
DISCRIMINATION: Morrison to battle sexism in the ranks
MEET THE MAN: Lieutenant General David Morrison
The general has even shared a stage at the United Nations summit to end sexual violence with Hollywood star and UN ambassador Angelina Jolie.
Vowed to stamp out sexism in the Army ... Army Chief, Lieutenant General David Morrison. Source: News Corp Australia
Appeared alongside David Morrison ... Angelina Jolie spoke at the UN summit to end sexual violence. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited
His 'angry ant' YouTube clip in response to the 'Jedi Council' revelations went viral and was applauded by all sides of the gender equity debate.
However the men at the centre of the furore say they were not given due process and they are livid that the general did not even bother speaking to them personally let alone offer any counselling or re-education.
They say they have done nothing worse than thousands of other soldiers who have used email to express sexist or ribald sentiments.
The general's transgender former speech writer, Lieutenant Colonel Cate McGregor, received a warning and counselling when she published comments on a blog strongly criticising a fellow officer and his family.
Warned and counselled ... Lieutenant Colonel Cate McGregor, formerly Malcolm McGregor, was General Morrison's speech writer. Picture: ABC-TV Source: Supplied
"He [Morrison] was quick to end our careers and ruin our lives, but he didn't have the decency to eyeball us," one ex-soldier said.
"I take full responsibility for the stupid comments on my emails, but I should have got a kick in the pants not the loss of my career."
A defence spokesman said the offences were too serious for remediation.
"The scale of the transgression against Defence policy and Army values …. was such that remedial counselling was not an appropriate or proportional response," the spokerperson said.
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