In my earliest days serving in Australia ’ s Defence Force , I learned a trademark military saying that in the end just didn ’ t seem to apply to Afghanistan . “ We don ' t work to a time ; we work to a standard .” Equally as powerful as it turns out was the great Afghan catchcry , “ You may have the watches , we have the time ”
The Taliban were clearly playing the long game . They knew from the outset that patience would become their greatest weapon .
I will struggle with the events surrounding the fall of Kabul for the rest of my life . We didn ’ t leave because the Taliban defeated us , we gave up because in the eyes of our leaders the mission was taking too long .
We did not invade Afghanistan as the Taliban will now tell us through Australian media . We used military force to liberate an oppressed people , to assist Afghanistan to build a country where they could have freedom . The same freedoms we enjoy .
For the last twenty years we fought for justice and convinced the Afghan people to join us in that fight . Then we walked away when it got hard .
What this means for the Afghan people is sadly more suffering . Engaging in an endless fight to protect their tribes and families . Unfortunately , not only have our governments betrayed their trust by walking away , but we have unintentionally rearmed our enemy as we walked away .
War can be both a thrill and horrible nightmare . It is not black and white ; it exists in the grey . It requires both sacrifice and enduring commitment . I believed in what I fought for and still do . I am proud of my service and the service of the people I fought alongside . They should be proud of their service too .
If we have the capacity , we should willingly do it again .
Never truer are the words of Australian Defence Force
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