[In Julian Knight’s own words]:
“I do not consider my failure to graduate from RMC Duntroon as a case of “should have been” more so a case of “could have been”.
One aspect of the training that became ingrained In me was the notion of “command responsibility”. In line with this notion, I consider that the ultimate responsibility for my failure at Duntroon rests with me. I am not blind to my own character defects and other personal failings that contributed to my failure to succeed at the college.
After many years reflection, and attempting to be as objective as possible, I believe that I would have graduated with the rest of my Class in June 1988. I believe that had I survived a further 16 days (until the 1st Class had graduated and I progressed to 2nd Class), I would have settled into life at the college and improved both my morale and my performance. I think this is especially so given that I had made the decision in mid-May 1987 to make a concerted effort to change around what had been until then poor or average performance. It is stating the obvious to say that a prediction based on what “might have been” is speculative at best. My best guess is that I would have graduated towards the bottom third of the Class. Given my lack of ambition, I also expect that I would not have risen beyond the [Army] rank of Major.
Reviewing my service history as far back as the Boy Scouts, it is apparent that my performance tended to fall at either end of the spectrum: I either performed at the top of the class or failed miserably (often combined with disciplinary action).
Neuropsychological testing and academic results since my imprisomnent have tended to show that the [Duntroon] Selection Board assessments of my intellectual and academic potential were underrated. It could be said that by “playing the fool” people tended to think I was one.”
[SOURCE: The above is an extract in a series of Julian KNIGHT’s records as part of his 97-page ‘Personal Account’ of his 6-month relentless persecution at RMC Duntroon submitted to the Defence Abuse Response Taskforce dated 26 November 2013, pp.92-93].