'As a female soldier I am embarrassed': Social media users slam 'cringeworthy' song saluting the contribution of women in the armed forces - but have they missed the point?

  • Defence Force members slammed a song written for Australian War Memorial
  • The song is part of an album designed to raise money for veterans services
  • It talks about women proudly wearing their medals on the left side of their shirts
  • Some said it was cringeworthy and damaging to women who were in the ADF
  • But others said they had been told to move their medals to the other side by people who did not believe they could have served in the country's armed forces
  • Regardless, the songs controversy has seen it hit #11 in the iTunes country charts

By Hannah Moore For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:21 EST, 11 November 2018 | Updated: 01:21 EST, 11 November 2018

Three female defence force members have been slammed for their part in a song promoting women serving in the military. 

On The Left is an earworm tune about women proudly wearing their medals on the left hand side of their shirt - where past and current service members display them. 

The issue is one often faced by female Defence Force members, who say they have been told to move their medals to the right, where a civilian would wear them, by a person who doesn't believe they are in the military.  

Members of Sisters in Arms, a three-piece ensemble made up of one woman from the army, one from the navy and one from the air force, have been subject to brutal attacks online since the song went up, with many believing the tune has disadvantaged women who are serving.

Three female Defence Force members have been slammed after they performed a song some saw as 'infantilising' women in the military 

Three female Defence Force members have been slammed after they performed a song some saw as 'infantilising' women in the military 

'I'm sure the sentiment is good but this is terribly cringe-worthy and guaranteed to be a big joke among the troops,' one woman wrote. 'As a female soldier I am embarrassed.'

Another said there was enough difficulty being a woman in the Defence Force without the song adding to it.   

'As if we didn't already have to justify our service on the daily to the knuckle draggers that can't cope with a little estrogen in uniform, now we have to deal with this as well,' she said. 

A third suggested the tune 'trivialised' the service of women with its basic lyrics. 

'Australia War Memorial you should be ashamed for trivialising the service of women like this. How can you possibly think such infantilising language honours my service,' she wrote. 

'Where is the serious representation of women in actual combat performing serious roles on legitimate operations? These lyrics make it seem like all we do is go on exercise in south east Queensland. I - and many of my peers - am deeply insulted. 

'Not only is this wildly patronising you’ve provided more ammunition for those who like to mock the service of women.'

The women were singing about proudly wearing their medals on the left hand side of their shirts
Many female members are told to switch theirs to the right side by people who don't realise the woman they are talking to is wearing her own medals - not a family member's

The women were singing about proudly wearing their medals on the left hand side of their shirts. Many female members are told to switch theirs to the right side by people who don't realise the woman they are talking to is wearing her own medals - not a family member's 

The backlash has been fierce, with trolls at some points making personal comments about or to the singers.

But some believe there is an important point to the song, and say the tune references a problem many have faced in the past. 

'The only thing that embarrasses me about this song is that it's still necessary,' one man wrote.

'I have seen many females told by ignorant wombats "sorry love, you're meant to wear (dad's, hubbies) medals on the other side".'

A woman said the issue was common for female members of the Defence Force, who are asked who their medals belong to and are told they should pin them to the right hand side, which is where they are to be placed if they belong to someone else. 

The song was written for the album After the War, produced by the Australian War Memorial, and proceeds from its sale will go towards veteran's services 

The song was written for the album After the War, produced by the Australian War Memorial, and proceeds from its sale will go towards veteran's services 

'This can be so disheartening for females who have served and earned the right to wear their medals on the left like all their male colleagues,' she said. 

'This song is about being proud to serve and educating others about which side means what for military personnel and family members etc.'

The song was written for After The War - a charity album raising funds for the Australian War Memorial, which helps veterans and their families.    

On the Left has hit number 11 on the iTunes country singles charts, while After the War has made it to number four in albums.

Defence Media and the Australian War Memorial have been contacted for comment. 

To buy After the War click here. 

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Social media users slam 'cringeworthy' song saluting the contribution of women in the armed forces

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