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Elite navy divers are threatening to mutiny and join the army's special forces.
The threat has arisen because they are not allowed to fight in the war against terrorism.
The Advertiser has spoken to several navy Clearance Divers who say that many of their comrades are ready to walk away if the top brass does not better use their highly specialised skills, such as in bomb disposal.
About 30 navy divers are seconded to the Sydney-based counter-terrorist Tactical Assault Group (East) as water operators, and a few are posted to the Middle East. But the role of most of the RAN's 150 underwater specialists is in shallow-water mine counter-warfare.
In other countries, elite divers from units including the US Navy SEALs are used in high-end warfare and counter-insurgency operations such as the SEAL Team Six operation against Osama bin Laden.
One senior diver who did not want to be identified, said the navy high command did not understand the specialist capability of the divers: "Almost every single one of us would join special forces if we were offered the job."
Many divers who work with the Commandos don't want to go back to the navy because it is a "let down".
Navy chief Vice-Admiral Russ Crane said the divers' main role would always be "shallow-water mine clearance", rejecting suggestions navy officers did not understand the CD's capability.
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