The topic of national defence has been thrust back into the spotlight this month after Chinese warships conducted live-fire drills off the eastern coast of Australia. With Australian Defence Force (ADF) enlistment numbers on the decline, many are calling for alternative ways to safeguard our country. This raises the question: Should firearm owners play a role in national defence? This article outlines my support for this concept and provides a broader context for how it could contribute to our national defence strategy.
Introduction
For most people, the thought of sending a son or daughter into armed conflict is deeply unsettling—perhaps even disturbing. Unfortunately, this is the reality many Australian families may soon face, as politicians ramp up discussions on mandatory national service (conscription) to counter the steep decline in defense personnel numbers.
In my opinion, a far better option would be the establishment of a modern volunteer fighting force—similar to the Citizens Military Force (CMF) or the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC) of past generations. This contingent of volunteers would primarily consist of hunters and sporting shooters, with training provided by accredited club trainers, ADF personnel, and through an online learning management system (LMS).
Recently, I presented this concept to several politicians across Australia. A copy of my original email is attached below, providing further details on the proposal.
Disclaimer: The following email provides a basic overview of a modern-day CMF concept, intended to pique the interest of politicians and encourage further engagement. It is by no means an exhaustive or detailed discussion of the organisation’s history, nor does it cover the finer details of the roles or training requirements for individual volunteers. I will share my thoughts on those aspects at a later date.
Dear (insert name and credentials)
I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to you today to suggest the reintroduction of a proven, cost-effective strategy that could further strengthen Australia’s national defence capabilities: the Citizens Military Force (CMF).
The Citizens Military Force was the precursor to the ADF’s reserve units. Following its success with conscripts during World War I and World War II, it was reintroduced in 1948 as a wholly voluntary fighting force. Its training primarily focused on firearms handling and bushcraft skills, taught by local hunting and shooting organisations. Additionally, an annual training camp was held by members of our conventional forces to teach basic military tactics. I propose that we re-establish a modern version of the 1948 CMF, positioning it as the defence equivalent of the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), and integrating it as a third tier of our national defence—alongside our permanent forces and reserve units. This auxiliary force could provide vital support to our conventional forces through roles such as transport and logistics, security for important local assets, or even in a resistance capacity should we face a foreign invasion. In short, it would produce qualified individuals ready to safeguard the homefront in the event of a national defence emergency.
Beyond the obvious cost advantages of a volunteer fighting force, there are several additional benefits to re-establishing this initiative. For instance, the involvement of Veterans (Ex-ADF members) in the training process could provide them with a renewed sense of purpose post-military career. It would also offer opportunities for them to connect with everyday Australians, fostering lasting relationships. This, in turn, would help ease their transition to civilian life and provide a broader support network for addressing any physical or mental health issues that may have arisen during their service. I am confident this would be seen as a significant win for both defence personnel and your political party, particularly in light of the recent negative press surrounding Defence health and Veteran suicide.
Another key advantage would be the deterrent effect on foreign aggressors. A notable increase in our nation’s armed forces would force even our greatest adversaries to reconsider their plans, potentially deterring any thoughts of aggression. Lastly, the CMF could serve as a stepping stone for its volunteer members to transition into more permanent roles within the ADF, generating greater interest in careers within our conventional forces.
Thank you for considering my proposal. I truly believe that reintroducing the Citizens Military Force would be a valuable step in strengthening Australia’s national defence while also benefiting Veterans and our communities. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss this idea further and explore ways we can collaborate on this important initiative.
I look forward to your thoughts on this matter.
Politicians contacted
- Gerard Rennick (People First) – Positive response, requested further information.
- Matt Keogh, Minister for Defence Personnel (Labor) – No response.
- Richard Marles, Minister for Defence (Labor) – No response.
- Andrew Hastie, Shadow Minister for Defence Personnel (Liberal) – No response.
- Bob Katter (Katter’s Australian party) – No response.
- Malcolm Roberts (One Nation) – No response.
- Mark Banasiak (Shooters, Fishers, and Farmers) – No response.
- John Ruddick (Libertarian) – No response.
Reception
So far, only one politician—Senator Rennick from the People First Party—has responded to my email. To my surprise, he was open to this concept and asked for clarification on the differences between this modern-day Citizens Military Force and the current Australian Defence Force Reserves. I will share my response to him in my next article.
Final thoughts
Right now, we are living under the illusion of peace, allowing us to speculate on the possibility of a foreign invasion as if it were a distant threat. Since no shots have been exchanged with foreign aggressors in our region, many argue that a volunteer fighting force is unnecessary. Some go even further, dismissing the potential for a Chinese invasion as irrational or absurd. I disagree with both views and choose instead to err on the side of caution. If you hold a different opinion, I urge you to consider three simple questions:
- What if it a foreign invasion does occur?
- What if we fail to prepare beforehand?
- What situation will you and your family face?
The recent conflict between Ukraine and Russia has shown that the consequences of unpreparedness can be dire. Ukraine was not sufficiently prepared for the Russian invasion. As troops crossed the border, school-aged children were hurried into basements and taught to shoot pellet guns in a desperate effort to strengthen local defense. This was all they could do, but it was never enough. We must learn from Ukraine’s lack of preparedness. A modern Citizens Military Force is not just viable—I believe it is our only option.
