Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2006/Naval Reserves column
By CMDR Joseph Lukaitis, Office of DGRES-N
This year's biennial Naval Reserve Symposium held in Sydney on February 3 saw the launch of the new Naval Reserve Capability Enhancement Program.
Chief of Navy VADM Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN and the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator Sandy McDonald, addressed an audience of 200 senior Naval Reserve, Permanent Navy and Defence Reserve Support Council members about the importance of the past and present role of the Naval Reserve and its contribution to the Royal Australian Navy. They also announced a new direction for the Naval Reserve (see pp 24-25).
To be known as the Naval Reserve Capability Enhancement Program (NRCEP), it follows endorsement by the Chief of Navy Senior Advisory Committee (CNSAC) last November of proposals to increase the Naval Reserve contribution to capability.
After the announcement of the new program, Director General Navy Capability Performance and Plans, CDRE Trevor Jones, DG Navy Personnel and Training, CDRE Nigel Coates, and DG Reserves - Navy, CDRE Ranford Elsey explained some of the detail and the way ahead.
The main features of the program are:-
- New capability statements for 14 NR categories, which set out a clearly identifiable role for the Naval Reserve within the Totally Integrated Workforce;
- Increased funding to provide more salary allocation, travel and training for Reservists;
- A real focus on progressing reserve careers, currency and training; and
- Recognition of the need to increase the number of active reservists.
Enhanced capability for the RAN will flow from these changes, to be phased in over the next three years. Benefits to the RAN will also flow through increased surge capacity, and to NR members through increased training, travel, recognition and participation.
What Does This Mean For You?
The NRCEP is a milestone in the evolution of the Naval Reserve structure and role since the closure of the Port Divisions around Australia in 1993.
The NRCEP opens the way for qualified Reservists to progress career paths in sea going and aviation billets within the Force Element Groups. More money for travel and training will provide more opportunities for Reservists. The program will deliver improved career management for individual Reservists because there is now a defined capability input which must be managed by FEG Commanders and other Reserve employers within the RAN.
The program initiatives will present challenges for both part-time and full-time Reserve managers to find suitable numbers of skilled and fit Reservists who are current on the equipment they operate and in some cases ready to deploy at relatively short notice.
If you would like to read more about the NRCEP visit the Naval Reserve web site at www.navy.gov.au/reserves, Navy Reserve News (edns Feb and Mar 23) or pages 24-31 in this edition of SeaTalk.
