A private Facebook page used by Defence staff has unleashed a new torrent of offensive messages, mostly directed at a whistleblower who gave ABC's 7.30 access to the information.

Army top brass have already expressed horror at Wednesday's report of hundreds of obscene messages posted on the page, with Army Chief Lieutenant-General David Morrison ordering an investigation.

Defence headquarters have also publicly rebuked participants in the RAR Buddies Facebook group, saying their posts are "highly offensive" and have "seriously damaged the Army's reputation".

The condemnation from Defence bosses was swift, but did not stop fresh attacks on the Facebook page.

"Mystery leak man, pray we never find out who you are you gutless f***. Enjoy the rest of your life looking over your shoulder wondering if any of us have worked out who you are," the comment said.

"I really feel like having a go at the reporters and that bird on the webpage that said we were gutless.

"Whoever the jack c*** is that ratted out this site, you had better hope we don't find out who you are!!

"lol I would still reload if the limping musso crossed on my lawn lol."

The threats were not confined to Facebook. One of the women interviewed in Wednesday night's story was also targeted via text message.

"Hi Laurel just a quick TXT to let you know what an anaemic looking asshole you are," the message read.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 8 minutes 8 m Chief of Army responds to questions around ADF culture ( Chris Uhlmann )

Contradictory

This is not the first time Australian soldiers have been embroiled in Facebook vilification.

Last year, more than 30 ADF members were caught up in a vicious page directed at homosexual soldiers.

John Davey is the lawyer for one of the targets, Lieutenant Colonel Paul Morgan, and says the action taken then was inadequate.

"This behaviour is not acceptable in any corner of Australia," he said.

"If the Army had responded appropriately when this Facebook issue emerged 22 months ago, then it is unlikely that this subsequent Facebook would have been set up.

"Members who were contributing to it privately may not have continued their homophobic, racist and sexist abuse if the Army had have responded adequately."



The Army's response in that case appeared contradictory.

It has told 7.30 in a statement that administrative action was taken against those involved through a written warning.

But 7.30 has obtained the letter sent to Lt Col Morgan by Army investigators which states: "There was insufficient evidence to take administrative action."

Mr Davey says the top brass are saying one thing and doing another.

"What the Defence Force is doing, and particularly the senior ranks are doing, is they are saying one thing in public and actually doing something else, or more importantly, doing nothing in private," he said.

"So the level of abuse is beyond public tolerance and I think we need to put a stop to it."

'Good intentions'

The Army Chief has sent a written warning to all members of this Facebook group, saying the site has seriously damaged the Army's reputation within the community.

It also warns former soldiers that they too are undermining the fine work of all those who wear the uniform.

Late on Thursday the administrators of the site responded.

"This group was formed with nothing but good intentions," it said.

"Unfortunately somewhere this group lost its way. I humbly apologise for the negative outlook presented to the current RAR members, the Australian Army and the overall ADF."

It is understood by 7.30 that hundreds of members have now abandoned the site.

Those that have stayed are defiant.

As one member put it: "Let them knock."