Drink responsibly, defence says

Defence personnel should watch what they drink.

Under a new policy to reduce the harm amid a traditionally hard-drinking culture, defence says alcohol should be the exception rather than the norm for their functions.

"Be responsible," defence urges all its members.

Leaders have to take responsibility for changing drinking culture, defence said in a statement on Wednesday.

Air Marshal Mark Binskin says the new strategy gives clear direction to everyone in defence on their responsibilities and expectations for changing behaviours.

"Alcohol-related harm is a common problem within the Australian community and the ADF is not immune," he said in the statement.

Alcohol use in the defence force has been regularly reviewed.

The 2011 Hamilton review concluded that much of the risk, cost and harm associated with alcohol use in the defence force did not come from the small number of alcoholics in the ranks.

It came from those who indulged in occasional episodes of short-term risky drinking and the associated misbehaviour.