Australian troops who trained Ukrainians in the UK to help prepare them for their fight against Russia's invasion have called for recognition of their service.
In submissions to a parliamentary inquiry probing the Defence honours and awards system, soldiers who deployed as part of Operation Kudu, described their task as the "most significant" of their military careers.
"In spite of the language barrier, we became mates and learned a lot from each other," one soldier wrote.
"We heard stories of how the war has affected the recruits and their families."
The anonymous soldier from the 5th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment deployed for three months in late 2023, and spoke about how ADF personnel during that rotation would keep track of the Ukrainians they had trained.
The infantry soldier wrote about the emotional impact of finding out a Ukrainian recruit had gone missing and was presumed dead, after his wife was pleading for information in an online post.
"She shared so many photos of him that it made me cry for the loss of him," they said.
The Australian wrote that the ADF members understood they hadn't been put in any danger, but were immensely proud of the contribution they'd made and wanted to see troops "fully rewarded" for their dedication and work.
The soldier said they constantly wore a bracelet made for them by the Ukrainian recruit.
Almost three years into the war, Australia's support for Ukraine will exceed $1.5 billion in aid.
Decorated special forces veteran Dan Fortune appeared alongside other veterans at the public hearing on Friday, who demanded an apology for the "disgraceful smearing of our Meritorious Unit Citation and the damage done to the award system".
"We want not retribution. We want redemption, and a future purpose fit system that people can believe in," he said.
The citation was awarded to the Special Operations Task Group for service in Afghanistan between 2007 and 2013, but was recommended to be stripped following revelations of alleged war crimes.
He said the honour system "synthesises the ideals and forms the DNA" of the Australian military.
Special forces veteran Andrew White said he wanted to see the Directorate of Honours and Awards taken away from the Defence department as a separate institution, to bring independence and transparency.
Mr Fortune described the current decision making process as being run by the "cartel of the Canberra elite".
One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts said there had been "an abysmal lack of integrity".
Representing the Department of Defence, Rear Admiral Richard Boulton said last year the department processed more than 17,700 applications, resulting in the award of more than 37,700 medals, class citations and badges.
"Identifying and highlighting people for extraordinary achievements is always a divisive issue," he said.
Asked to reflect on earlier evidence given by the veterans, including an apology, Rear Admiral Boulton said it demonstrated the complexity of the issues.
"For every historic award nomination that might be considered by Defence or by the tribunal (Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal) you're going to have many, many different perspectives on that," he said.
"I'm not suggesting that the system is perfect. We're open to discussing improvements to the system."
Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal Chair Stephen Skehill said submissions made to the inquiry demonstrated "dissatisfaction" with the current service recognition scheme.
"The very fact that there is that perception, is a reality that needs to be dealt with," he said.
