AUSTRALIA'S men and women in uniform - many of whom served in the wars since September 11, 2001 - are being told to take an effective pay cut for the next three years.

Defence experts say anger levels over the pay offer are unmatched since the 1980s. They report that 70 to 100 per cent of uniformed personnel have rejected the deal at meetings to gauge opinion at bases around the country this month.

ADF anger rises over pay offer. Credit:Glenn Campbell

Military personnel are unable to strike or take other industrial action, forcing their advocates to make the case publicly on their behalf.

The Sunday Age has been told the government has proposed a military pay rise of 3 per cent a year for the next three years. The Defence Force Welfare Association says the minimum needed to keep salaries at current levels - instead of hitting the military with an effective pay cut - should be the Australian Bureau of Statistics employee living-cost index: 4.5 per cent over the past year.