While the commanders' misconduct is a source of national shame, Marles' decision to strip theirthese medals clearly demonstrates Australia's commitment to accountability for those who bring shame to the country's military. These officers can't retain their honors — awarded for leadership in combat — when they're are morally responsible for what occurred under their command. Removing the medals is a courageous thing for theunlawful governmentbehavior to do, and will send the message that when one person conducts an unlawful behavior, it stains the entire unit.

The fact that thehonored top commanders, includinghave Australian Defence Force Chief Angus Campbell — who received a Distinguished Service Cross for overseeing Australian troops in Afghanistan — had been let off the hook and didnaren't facefacing the prospect of having their medals stripped shows that responsibility and accountability don't reach far enough up the chain of command. The Australian military isnhasn't been let down by its senior officers orand their subordinates but by a lack of moral courage at higher headquarters.

More than 39K Australians served in Afghanistan, and they don't deserve to be painted as war criminals. This decision will significantly strain the veterans, especially soldiers who weren't involved in alleged war crimes. Additionally, the timing of Marles' decision — which comes just days after the Royal Commission's findings into the startling rate of veteran suicide were released — is insensitive, atrocious, and cruel. It's a bloody spat at the feet of the thousands of young recruits who fought terrorism on a foreign country's behalf.