Over eight years ending in early 2017, Major David McBride served as a legal officer for the Australian Defence Forces. And over the eight months to February 2012 and the five to December 2013, he served in Afghanistan as a legal advisor under both US and Australian commanders.
McBride's job was to advise on the rules of engagement or correct procedures. And he raised concerns in April 2013 about military police investigating troops in Afghanistan, while during his second tour, as he complained that officers' actions were being misconstrued and then investigated.
In March 2014, McBride commenced printing classified ADF documents that he had access to and storing them at his ACT home. By 2015's end, he'd removed 235 documents. And he delivered a complaint to the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Forces (IGADF) on 15 August 2014.
