Another punishment dreaded by Australian soldiers during Wartime was to be RTA'd. To have RTA on your record meant you would have a very dim future in the Army. Soldiers could bear various forms of detention, extra duty and stoppage of leave or pay but to be "Returned To Australia" was not only shameful during war, but it meant leaving your mates short. On top of that RTA would also be combined with with Stoppages of pay or leave, so on arrival in Australia you wouldn't be free to spend up in the boozer or meet with family. It could also have lifelong ramifications including ineligibilty for medals or pension.
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