Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2006/More seagoing for Reserves
By LCDR Antony Underwood
Extra funding approved by the Chief of Navy will give more Reservists the opportunity to serve at sea.
The funding will also be used to create some new capabilities in the areas of diving and hydrography as well as the ability to surge to meet operational contingencies.
In his breakdown of the additional funding, the DGNCPP said there had been a slow decline in the number of Reservists undertaking sea service.
"The new integrated and capability-based Reserve will be increasing the opportunities to train for sea positions and then further opportunities to remain current ," CDRE Jones said, "the idea being that a Reservist trained and current will be in a better position to support Navy when needed."
"Each FEG now has a capability statement which details the requirements of Reserve personnel working in the organisation.
"Each of the FEGs will be provided with extra Reserve positions and funding to allow personnel to be trained for seagoing positions and the personnel in these positions will be the first called should Navy need more trained crewmembers onboard ships."
"A surge requirement is provided for the FEGs so that Navy is able to plan for contingencies requiring additional personnel," CDRE Jones said. "Reservists working in these positions will be trained, current and fit for sea."
One of the new capabilities will be a Reserve diving team for Northern Australia.
CDRE Jones said positions with the FEGs differed according to the roles the Reservists were employed to undertake.
"Some Reservists will be used individually onboard ships while others will be part of teams of Reservists which could be deployed as a unit," he said.
Units falling into this category include the proposed Reserve dive team from the Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving FEG and Hydrographic FEG's deployable geospatial support team (DGST) and mobile meteorological team (MMT).
CDRE Jones said that, while postings will begin in July, it's likely to be some time before Reservists are posted into all of the new positions.
"The additional positions will be created between now and June and postings can occur from July," he said. "The program is expected to be fully mature with an annual investment of $2.4m from Financial Year 08/09."
