Australia stood down its armed forces yesterday to give soldiers and sailors a talk on mutual respect and civility, in an unprecedented crackdown on bullying and beatings in the military.
About 50,000 Australian military personnel around the country and on warships overseas attended a two-hour lecture warning against intimidation and harassment. All normal military activity was cancelled.
The crackdowns come after an inquiry into brutality in the military, including beatings and humiliation. Eleven soldiers are facing charges in connection with alleged bullying - widely known in Australia as "bastardisation".
The Australian Defence Association, a private group that campaigns for a strong military, criticised the programme, saying it would damage military morale and the command structure.
A video by the Australian Defence Force chief, Admiral Chris Barrie, was shown at military bases and barracks around the country followed by talks from local commanders.
In Sydney, around 600 sailors were shown a video of colleagues being beaten during a "crossing the line" ceremony to initiate those who were sailing across the Equator for the first time.
Afterwards many of the sailors appeared scornful or sceptical, saying rough treatment was a part of military life that would not disappear because of a lecture.
Bullying in the military became a major issue after harassment allegations surfaced in the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), the army's elite parachute unit. At least 30 soldiers said they were victims of illegal punishments and beatings in the battalion in 1997 and 1998.