Ben is the Director of the Open Door: Veteran Transition, Integration, Wellbeing research initiative in the College of Education, Psychology, and Social Work. Open Door is an Australasian research hub that brings together veterans, scholars, and practitioners together around key research, service provision, and policy/legislation initiatives. Open Door is connected to other veteran research hubs across the five-eye nations.Ben is the co-Deputy Director of Orama Research Institute for Mental Health and WellbeingAs a Veteran, Ben's research is focused on the health and wellbeing of serving personnel and Veterans. He conducts sociological and criminological research on the ADF and DVA including institutional abuse in the ADF, veteran suicide, and veteran transition into higher education. Ben also researches men's violence toward other men and is using Virtual Reality as a pedagogical tool for education for violence prevention.Ben writes about the cultural history of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Of particular interest is military culture and crime and the military. He is currently Chief Investigator on an Australian Research Council Grant titled "Institutional Abuse and Organisational Reform within the ADF (1969-). Ben is currently the lead CI on 2 grants investigating veteran transition and education. These studies explore how effective tertiary education is as a transition pathway, The second grant funded by the NCSEHE studies the ways universities understand veterans and govern their place in the university. Phone: +61 08 8201 3358 Address: GPO BOX 2100 Adelaide, SA 5001
ABSTRACT The ADF has outlined a five-year transition plan. For supporters of the policy, the move... more ABSTRACT The ADF has outlined a five-year transition plan. For supporters of the policy, the move is an historic one. Australia becomes one of only four nations globally, along with Canada, New Zealand and Denmark, that offers women the same employment opportunities as men within the Defence Forces. Women will now be able to serve in the artillery, as navy clearance divers, airfield defence guards, infantry and the Special Air Service Regiment. As long as they meet the requirements, and demonstrate the capacity.
ABSTRACT The Conversation spoke with military culture expert Ben Wadham about what motivated the ... more ABSTRACT The Conversation spoke with military culture expert Ben Wadham about what motivated the Marines to desecrate the bodies and what effect the release of the images may have on the American effort to fight the Taliban insurgency. It is an artefact of military culture that soldiers at different times will engage in the desecration of the bodies of those they have killed. This is an age-old tradition if you like. It is not common in the sense that every group of soldiers will engage in it but it does happen
ABSTRACT Only one year ago the idea that green on blue attacks were systemic seemed preposterous,... more ABSTRACT Only one year ago the idea that green on blue attacks were systemic seemed preposterous, but today the idea is tenable. Insider attacks are clearly increasing. In the last year alone over fifty allied troops have lost their lives to supposed Afghani allies; only last Saturday two more US troops were killed. One in five, or 14 per cent, of combat deaths are due to insider killings. The issue hangs as a question mark over the heads of NATO leaders, with little clear grasp of the matter. It is increasingly clear however that the reality of green on blue attacks is looming as a threat to the relationship between the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and allied troops. In the first instance the 'Guardian Angel' policy that posted an armed ally with every group of Afghani and allied troops was established. After two more separate incidents in mid September, the United States military ceased all joint operations with the ANA and ordered that coalition soldiers carry loaded weapons in all situations. It is a response that completes the circle of destabilization, with fear degrading contact between the two groups and subsequently feeding mistrust and division. This is a productive outcome for anti-Western forces intent on destabilizing the pacification and development program. NATO has determined that 2014 will be the year of withdrawal, a withdrawal that depends upon the successful development of the Afghani security forces. Unfortunately green on blue attacks indicate rot in the system, even before that immanent departure – Taliban planned or otherwise.
ABSTRACT Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Skype Affair of 2011 drew nation-wide attention, and brough... more ABSTRACT Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Skype Affair of 2011 drew nation-wide attention, and brought the culture of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) into serious question. Five male officer cadets' lecherous broadcast of one of their mate's sexual interactions with a female peer, without her knowledge, seriously disturbed civil mores. It raised the question: "Can we, civil society, tolerate the sexual and prejudicial conduct of military personnel toward others, even in consideration of the hefty obligations they adopt as potential combatants and national guardians?" Do we expect more? The community response suggests we clearly do. Disgusted and perplexed The public discourse that ensued was polarised. The Defence establishment, a loud minority of retired Generals and the Australia Defence Association (ADA), argued vehemently that there was no culture of abuse, that any organisation has the same problems and that 700 cases over 50 years is a mere drop in the ocean: nothing to be concerned about. And what would civilians know about the real ADF anyway? Civil society was disgusted and perplexed, especially in the context of accompanying incidents of sexual predation and alcohol abuse on the HMAS Success and a Gay Hate Facebook page aimed at ADF members. In the past four months another series of rapes and
ABSTRACT allegations of sexual and other abuse in defence to the public. It is, for the most part... more ABSTRACT allegations of sexual and other abuse in defence to the public. It is, for the most part, an incisive and detailed account of military culture. A portfolio of accounts of abuse, systemic dysfunction, a culture of non-reporting, and a massive failure of duty of care. All bound in a cloak of secrecy. Band of brothers The young men responsible for the Skype incident were colluding for the ritual of mateship and the embellishment of the self. It was an act of identification and of military performance. It was an act of bonding: pleasing each other at the expense of their colleague. It was carried out in the tradition of "the trifecta" – where male cadets gain kudos for having sex with a female cadet from each service. In my time is was known as "gaining your wings". Overwhelmingly, this is the rule of brothers in the defence force. This is a force that incites young men to form groups to bash, sexually humiliate, rape, bastardise or abuse other men. It is the same imperative that underlies men watching pornography together, engaging in rituals of degradation, or consuming too much alcohol
Abstract Critical research into whiteness has articulated the fashion in which racial identity ca... more Abstract Critical research into whiteness has articulated the fashion in which racial identity can become experienced and seen as 'normal'or 'just human'. The invisibility of whiteness is a marker of its naturalization and dominance. Similarly, studies of masculine identities as a site of cultural domination describe the ability to represent the 'natural'as implicated in masculine dominance. In this paper I describe a framework for understanding the relations of whiteness. I describe differentiation within whiteness in relation to discourses of ...
ABSTRACT The ADF has outlined a five-year transition plan. For supporters of the policy, the move... more ABSTRACT The ADF has outlined a five-year transition plan. For supporters of the policy, the move is an historic one. Australia becomes one of only four nations globally, along with Canada, New Zealand and Denmark, that offers women the same employment opportunities as men within the Defence Forces. Women will now be able to serve in the artillery, as navy clearance divers, airfield defence guards, infantry and the Special Air Service Regiment. As long as they meet the requirements, and demonstrate the capacity.
ABSTRACT The Conversation spoke with military culture expert Ben Wadham about what motivated the ... more ABSTRACT The Conversation spoke with military culture expert Ben Wadham about what motivated the Marines to desecrate the bodies and what effect the release of the images may have on the American effort to fight the Taliban insurgency. It is an artefact of military culture that soldiers at different times will engage in the desecration of the bodies of those they have killed. This is an age-old tradition if you like. It is not common in the sense that every group of soldiers will engage in it but it does happen
ABSTRACT Only one year ago the idea that green on blue attacks were systemic seemed preposterous,... more ABSTRACT Only one year ago the idea that green on blue attacks were systemic seemed preposterous, but today the idea is tenable. Insider attacks are clearly increasing. In the last year alone over fifty allied troops have lost their lives to supposed Afghani allies; only last Saturday two more US troops were killed. One in five, or 14 per cent, of combat deaths are due to insider killings. The issue hangs as a question mark over the heads of NATO leaders, with little clear grasp of the matter. It is increasingly clear however that the reality of green on blue attacks is looming as a threat to the relationship between the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and allied troops. In the first instance the 'Guardian Angel' policy that posted an armed ally with every group of Afghani and allied troops was established. After two more separate incidents in mid September, the United States military ceased all joint operations with the ANA and ordered that coalition soldiers carry loaded weapons in all situations. It is a response that completes the circle of destabilization, with fear degrading contact between the two groups and subsequently feeding mistrust and division. This is a productive outcome for anti-Western forces intent on destabilizing the pacification and development program. NATO has determined that 2014 will be the year of withdrawal, a withdrawal that depends upon the successful development of the Afghani security forces. Unfortunately green on blue attacks indicate rot in the system, even before that immanent departure – Taliban planned or otherwise.
ABSTRACT Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Skype Affair of 2011 drew nation-wide attention, and brough... more ABSTRACT Defence Force Academy (ADFA) Skype Affair of 2011 drew nation-wide attention, and brought the culture of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) into serious question. Five male officer cadets' lecherous broadcast of one of their mate's sexual interactions with a female peer, without her knowledge, seriously disturbed civil mores. It raised the question: "Can we, civil society, tolerate the sexual and prejudicial conduct of military personnel toward others, even in consideration of the hefty obligations they adopt as potential combatants and national guardians?" Do we expect more? The community response suggests we clearly do. Disgusted and perplexed The public discourse that ensued was polarised. The Defence establishment, a loud minority of retired Generals and the Australia Defence Association (ADA), argued vehemently that there was no culture of abuse, that any organisation has the same problems and that 700 cases over 50 years is a mere drop in the ocean: nothing to be concerned about. And what would civilians know about the real ADF anyway? Civil society was disgusted and perplexed, especially in the context of accompanying incidents of sexual predation and alcohol abuse on the HMAS Success and a Gay Hate Facebook page aimed at ADF members. In the past four months another series of rapes and
ABSTRACT allegations of sexual and other abuse in defence to the public. It is, for the most part... more ABSTRACT allegations of sexual and other abuse in defence to the public. It is, for the most part, an incisive and detailed account of military culture. A portfolio of accounts of abuse, systemic dysfunction, a culture of non-reporting, and a massive failure of duty of care. All bound in a cloak of secrecy. Band of brothers The young men responsible for the Skype incident were colluding for the ritual of mateship and the embellishment of the self. It was an act of identification and of military performance. It was an act of bonding: pleasing each other at the expense of their colleague. It was carried out in the tradition of "the trifecta" – where male cadets gain kudos for having sex with a female cadet from each service. In my time is was known as "gaining your wings". Overwhelmingly, this is the rule of brothers in the defence force. This is a force that incites young men to form groups to bash, sexually humiliate, rape, bastardise or abuse other men. It is the same imperative that underlies men watching pornography together, engaging in rituals of degradation, or consuming too much alcohol
Abstract Critical research into whiteness has articulated the fashion in which racial identity ca... more Abstract Critical research into whiteness has articulated the fashion in which racial identity can become experienced and seen as 'normal'or 'just human'. The invisibility of whiteness is a marker of its naturalization and dominance. Similarly, studies of masculine identities as a site of cultural domination describe the ability to represent the 'natural'as implicated in masculine dominance. In this paper I describe a framework for understanding the relations of whiteness. I describe differentiation within whiteness in relation to discourses of ...
Militaries are institutions of violence. This chapter considers the dark side of military violenc... more Militaries are institutions of violence. This chapter considers the dark side of military violence: violence within the military. While many criminological studies have attended to the violence and crime of, and within, environments of war, the study of the source of that violence, the military institution, has been neglected. This chapter draws upon the criminological literature of the dark side of organisations to argue violence within the military: hazing, brutalisation, and sexual assault of, and between service personnel, are a structured element of militarism. This is predominantly male violence and crime. By drawing upon critical gender studies and critical theory, the phenomenon of male violence within the military is considered along three key themes: the scission of civil and military, the production of violent subjectivities through military training, and the fraternal character of military masculinities and military organisation.
Brings a range of tools and concepts from cultural analysis and social theories and applies these... more Brings a range of tools and concepts from cultural analysis and social theories and applies these to the field of education and education's place within society
While high profile men in politics and sport are often pilloried in the media if they are caught ... more While high profile men in politics and sport are often pilloried in the media if they are caught transgressing what the media regards as moral boundaries in relation to sexual matters, in the wider media coverage of prostitution, men are a neglected zone. Women in prostitution are represented as either victims to be rescued or as women who make lifestyle choices about sex work as a legitimate job. Prostitution has become a battleground between women who want to abolish it and those who defend sex workers' rights.
Page 1. international encyclopedia of men and masculinities edited by michael flood judith kegan ... more Page 1. international encyclopedia of men and masculinities edited by michael flood judith kegan gardiner bob pease keith pringle Page 2. international encyclopedia of men and masculinities Page 3. Page 4. international encyclopedia ...
In recent years the media in Australia has discovered men. Particularly, in the past five years ... more In recent years the media in Australia has discovered men. Particularly, in the past five years or so, ‘men’s issues’ have become popular topics for television, newspapers and the ‘lifestyle magazine’. One of the key concerns of this new focus on men has been men’s health. Men’s health is presented in television specials, it is the stuff of tabloid articles, an emerging focus of community health services and government policy development, university courses and very recently, the ‘lifestyle magazine’, with the release of the Murdoch corporation’s Men’s Health in September 1997.
... She is currently working with Patrick Buckridge on a history of literature in Queensland. ...... more ... She is currently working with Patrick Buckridge on a history of literature in Queensland. ... Their research combines an inter-est in the theory of Western liberal modernity with the political activism of Greek-Australian migrants. ...
I introduced the palimpsest metaphor to draw attention to the active layering of cultural meaning... more I introduced the palimpsest metaphor to draw attention to the active layering of cultural meanings in the material and habitual world of the everyday. It highlights the process by which the salience of those social forms which are enacted by one segment of society, continually obscure and contort the meanings generated among subordinate populations.(p. 294)
... that it can only be a critical commentary on, and modification of, the evidently earlier trad... more ... that it can only be a critical commentary on, and modification of, the evidently earlier tradition of the circumcision of the penis. ... by Kürwille, then the problem arises as to how this modern, territorially extensive association is held together, or as Simmel famously formulated the ...
Military service is a unique form of employment. Civilians join the military, entering a contract... more Military service is a unique form of employment. Civilians join the military, entering a contract of service with the state, and in doing so hand over many of their civilian liberties in the process. For many young Australians, joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is a great privilege, offering significant opportunities, excitement, and a chance to be involved in service of the nation. For many service personnel, the history of Australian military service is personified in the character of the Australian Digger who represents the highest standards of professionalism and proficiency. The research in this report, however, shows that military service is not without its costs. The costs of service can be loss of life, physical and mental injury, and the challenge of re-entering society once service has concluded. Military personnel are aware of some of these potential costs and are willing to bear them. Military personnel are, however, less aware of other costs associated with the effects of transition into the military institution. These costs include profound resocialisation as a service member, service at home and abroad in a hierarchical and command-and-control organisation, the posting cycle, deployment, military institutional abuse, and negligible duty of care by the ADF and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). The recommendations in this report are located near the relevant subject area. Our recommendations relate directly to our findings. They respond to the key social mechanisms that we identify as generating the issues in the report. They are fraternity (or tribalism), gender (or martial masculinities) and exceptionalism (the civil-military culture gap). The recommendations suggest strategies that address these three matters while recognising that they are also in tension with the militaries need and function to prioritise tactical dominance.
This Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) investigates the research literature analysing “the risk fac... more This Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) investigates the research literature analysing “the risk factors for ex-serving personnel entering corrective services systems in Australia and/or other relevant jurisdictions? The report examines and synthesises recent research evidence regarding risk factors for entry into corrective services systems by ex-serving personnel across the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. There is currently limited empirical evidence about Australian veterans in the Australian corrective services system. There is negligible and competing information on the number of ex-serving personnel from the ADF who end up in prison, parole or on probation. Australia does not have nationally consistent, formal, or standardised data collection processes about veterans in corrective services. Jurisdictional issues from federal to state and across states pose challenges for understanding veterans in corrective services. There has been limited government research on veterans entering the criminal justice system (not solely incarceration) and one pilot study of 14 long interviews in South Australia.
Abstract Nine reference groups on men's health issues were convened by the South Australian Men's... more Abstract Nine reference groups on men's health issues were convened by the South Australian Men's Health Policy Steering Committee. The aim was to develop a range of issue papers which would inform the development of a Men's Health Discussion Paper. The issue papers were developed as a resource to identify the main issues for men's health in South Australia.
Only one year ago the idea that green on blue attacks were systemic seemed preposterous, but toda... more Only one year ago the idea that green on blue attacks were systemic seemed preposterous, but today the idea is tenable. Insider attacks are clearly increasing. In the last year alone over fifty allied troops have lost their lives to supposed Afghani allies; only last Saturday two more US troops were killed. One in five, or 14 per cent, of combat deaths are due to insider killings. The issue hangs as a question mark over the heads of NATO leaders, with little clear grasp of the matter. It is increasingly clear however that the reality of green on blue attacks is looming as a threat to the relationship between the Afghanistan National Army (ANA) and allied troops. In the first instance the 'Guardian Angel' policy that posted an armed ally with every group of Afghani and allied troops was established. After two more separate incidents in mid September, the United States military ceased all joint operations with the ANA and ordered that coalition soldiers carry loaded weapons in...
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has recently heard testim... more The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has recently heard testimonies of junior military personnel who were subjected to brutality and sexual violence while serving as recruits. The testimonies highlighted the age-old military tradition of initiation ceremonies and their place in building morale.
On March 4, 2001 a bridge was opened in a coastal town called Goolwa in South Australia. For abou... more On March 4, 2001 a bridge was opened in a coastal town called Goolwa in South Australia. For about 13 years a struggle for cultural rights and cultural dominance had ensued between different groups around the construction of this bridge. The land had traditionally been owned and inhabited by the Ngarrindjeri people. These people now ‘share’ the land with European settlers: men and women from another place and another culture. What does this bridge-building represent; what does it tell us about contemporary Australian race relations.
WW1 and the battle of the national myth
VRON WARE and BEN WADHAM 2 September 2014
For anyone ... more WW1 and the battle of the national myth
VRON WARE and BEN WADHAM 2 September 2014
For anyone sensitive to the pervasive signs of militarisation, there is no doubt that the centenary invites unwelcome forms of commemoration. Look at the distortions in the documented history of bloodshed in Gallipoli in 1915.
The Defence Abuse Response Taskforce (DART), headed by Major General Len Roberts-Smith, has hande... more The Defence Abuse Response Taskforce (DART), headed by Major General Len Roberts-Smith, has handed down its report on abuse at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA). Horror stories of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, physical abuse and harassment and bullying litter the pages.
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of service with the state, and in doing so hand over many of their civilian liberties in the
process. For many young Australians, joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is a great
privilege, offering significant opportunities, excitement, and a chance to be involved in service
of the nation. For many service personnel, the history of Australian military service is
personified in the character of the Australian Digger who represents the highest standards of
professionalism and proficiency.
The research in this report, however, shows that military service is not without its costs. The
costs of service can be loss of life, physical and mental injury, and the challenge of re-entering
society once service has concluded. Military personnel are aware of some of these potential
costs and are willing to bear them. Military personnel are, however, less aware of other costs
associated with the effects of transition into the military institution. These costs include
profound resocialisation as a service member, service at home and abroad in a hierarchical
and command-and-control organisation, the posting cycle, deployment, military institutional
abuse, and negligible duty of care by the ADF and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA).
The recommendations in this report are located near the relevant subject area. Our
recommendations relate directly to our findings. They respond to the key social mechanisms
that we identify as generating the issues in the report. They are fraternity (or tribalism),
gender (or martial masculinities) and exceptionalism (the civil-military culture gap). The
recommendations suggest strategies that address these three matters while recognising that
they are also in tension with the militaries need and function to prioritise tactical dominance.
There is currently limited empirical evidence about Australian veterans in the Australian corrective services system. There is negligible and competing information on the number of ex-serving personnel from the ADF who end up in prison, parole or on probation. Australia does not have nationally consistent, formal, or standardised data collection processes about veterans in corrective services. Jurisdictional issues from federal to state and across states pose challenges for understanding veterans in corrective services. There has been limited government research on veterans entering the criminal justice system (not solely incarceration) and one pilot study of 14 long interviews in South Australia.
VRON WARE and BEN WADHAM 2 September 2014
For anyone sensitive to the pervasive signs of militarisation, there is no doubt that the centenary invites unwelcome forms of commemoration. Look at the distortions in the documented history of bloodshed in Gallipoli in 1915.