Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2007/New Director-General visits NPT territory
By DGNPT CDRE David Letts
It is just over two months since I took up the position of DGNPT. The Navy Personnel and Training organisation is large and diverse, and the span of work undertaken by members of the NPT team is something that I have enjoyed becoming more fully aware of.
In the short time that I have been in the chair, I have tried to visit as much of the NPT organisation as possible. During these visits, I have been very impressed with the calibre of the people that are working in the Navy Training organisation, Career Management agencies and Personnel Policy areas.
The dedication of everyone that I have met towards ensuring that service in the Navy is as professionally and personally rewarding as it can be is clearly evident.
Initiatives that have been progressed by the NPT team in recent months include:
- Establishing Five Year Career Plans for sailors
- Looking at means of delivering training in a way that reduces the demands on personnel to spend time away from home
- Continued work on re-structuring of Navy's pay system through the Graded Officer Pay Structure, Warrant Officers' Pay Restructure and Sailors Pay Restructure (RRP Phase 4)
- Bringing into service the Augusta 109E helicopters to assist in the retention and motivation of junior aircrew.
In the pay and conditions of service area, one of the major items being worked at present is the presentation of a case to the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal on how to make best use of the funds that have been provided for review of Sea Going Allowance and Submarine Service Allowance over the next five years. The finalisation of RRP Phase 4 is a high priority matter that is also being vigorously pursued.
Other recently announced initiatives include the new Defence Home Owners' Assistance Scheme, introduction of Instructor Allowance, changes to remote locality recreation leave travel entitlements and the approval for medal mounting at public expense. All of these enhancements to conditions of service provide Navy's members with a very attractive and competitive remuneration package.
When I started my tenure as DGNPT, I advised that I felt privileged to have been chosen to lead Navy's Personnel and Training organisation. Navy's people are highly skilled and talented and they deserve the very best. The NPT organisation is committed to playing its part in providing world-class training and personnel support mechanisms.
