The Military always has had discipline. During the Vietnam conflict the Army discipline effort was directed at controlling soldiers when they were out of combat.

It was usually then that soldiers sought distractions from the experience of combat, through alcohol, sex, drugs and sometimes gambling, all of which they found in abundance in Vung Tau at the Rest in Country Centre which they shared with the Americans, ARVN and (unknowingly) the VC.

The Army, on the other hand, was concerned with limiting the loss of manpower and efficiency due to absence without leave, drunkeness and sexually transmitted disease. It also sought to maintain good relations with the Vietnamese civil authorities, on whom it depended for support. Finally it hoped to avoid politically damaging disapproval in Australia of the worst soldierly behaviour.

In 8 RAR 1 in 4 soldiers were formally charged with an offence during their year in Vietnam. Most offences were of a trivial nature and attracted a small punishment. Of the charges made most were made by Officers and NCO against Private soldiers. In 8 RAR 237 Private soldiers were charged with 1 or more offences whilst CPLs and LCPLs were charged with 44 offences. Only 1 SGT and SSGT were charged. No Officers or WO were charged during their year in Vietnam.

Of the total charges laid in 8 RAR of 382, 339 were offences relating to leave, 41 relating to operations against the enemy.

Most related to leave in Vung Tau - AWOL, not having a current valid leave pass, broke curfew (2200 hrs at 1 ALSG), insubordination to Military Police. Consumption of alcohol was often a factor in the offence, not the offence itself.

UD of weapon, not cleaning weapon, sleeping whilst on picquet.

Drugs offences were very rare among Australian troops. They mostly occurred when on leave at the R and C centre in Vung Tau. Often very drunk soldiers would purchase cigarettes or borrow cigarettes from US servicemen or ARVN troops that unknowingly contained marijuana or purchase from the establishments.