Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2004/CSO(R) on Reserves

CSO (R) on Reserves

New targets have been developed for recruiting Navy Reservists and Navy Personnel and Training are moving towards further integration of the Reserves into the total force.

Chief Staff Officer (Reserves), Captain Mike Burton, outlined highlights of the past 12 months which point the direction of arrangements for Reserves in the current Financial Year.

These include:

• Development of Reserve Business Rules and procedures;
• Restructure of the Reserve Regional Pool arrangements;
• Setting of fresh recruiting targets;
• Standardisation in the processing of Reserve salary; and
• Centralisation of Employer Support Payments.

" We've developed a series of Reserve Business Rules to standardise Reserve management processes and to align them with those of the Permanent Navy (PN) wherever possible," CAPT Burton said.

" Of course, some aspects of Reserve management differ from the PN because of the parttime nature of Reserve service but the business rules make allowances for these differences.

"And the business rules document has been designed to allow promulgation outside the Defence Internet firewall, so they're readily available to all Reserves through www.navy.gov.au/reserves website in the ' members' area' on the 'what's new/Navy Personnel and Training' page." CAPT Burton said the rules had been developed after wide consultation and, as a living document, they would be subjected to constant review.

" The latest version was posted in July," he said. "Now, more than ever, the Navy Reserve has a clearly articulated set of engagement rules that cater for the integration of NR personnel into the total force to provide an ongoing contribution to Navy's capability."

Reserve Regional Pools The Reserve Regional Pools (RRPs), strategically positioned throughout Australia to provide the interface between Reserves and the wider Navy, have also undergone some change.

They have taken the place of what were known as Reserve Administration Cells." RRPs report directly to my office in Navy Policy and Training," CAPT Burton said." Each has lodger unit status with the Naval Command/Authority in which they physically reside and support."

CAPT Burton said the RRP organisation had been restructured to streamline the management and communication with Reservists. A feature of the RRP restructure was the establishment of a new RRP North to serve Reservists living in both the Northern Territory and in Queensland north of Rockhampton. The office in Darwin opened for business on July 1.

As well as the new office at HMAS Coonawarra, the RRP network has four other offices - at HMAS Harman, HMAS Cerberus, HMAS Stirling and NHQ South Queensland.

And there are RRP shopfronts at HMAS Cairns, NHQ South Australia, NHQ Tasmania, HMAS Albatross and HMAS Waterhen.

The Navy Reserve is also in the market for more recruits.

" We've expanded recruiting and set a target of 50 officers and 100 sailors per annum," CAPT Burton said. "This will include additional sailor categories and officer primary qualifications."

CAPT Burton added that a qualified entry scheme had been created to fast track new entrants through the training pipeline." The scheme recognises certain civilian qualifications, and focuses entry training on RAN-specific applications of the trainee's skill set," he said. "Other avenues for entry are under investigation to increase the opportunity for civilians to contribute to the defence of Australia.

" We expect to announce further details as the year progresses."

Employer Support and Reserve Payments

The system of payments - both of Reserve salaries and of employer support payments had also been revised and standardised throughout the country.

" We've adopted national standard operating procedures for Reserve salary processing," CSO (Reserves) said. "The Director General of Navy Personnel and Training and Assistant Secretary - Personnel Services in Defence's Corporate Services and Infrastructure Group signed off on the new arrangements in August.

" They new procedures are designed to ensure Reserve pay is processed in the most efficient and effective manner."

Approval and administration of the Employment Support Payment Scheme (ESP) has been centralised within a single office at Maritime Headquarters in Sydney to improve efficiency of the scheme.

[The ESP was created to compensate employers who support the absence of their employees for Reserve service.]

" It's available for all categories of Reserve service (short of call out), and is paid for the third and subsequent weeks of Reserve service to a maximum of 78 weeks continuous service," CAPT Burton explained.

" This centralisation ensures consistent and timely turnaround of claims."

The initial point of contact for ESP claims is Chief Petty Officer Paul Lunt on 02 9359 4004 or paul.lunt@defence.gov.au.