Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2007/Reserves Column
By the Director of Naval Reserve Capability, CAPT Joseph Lukaitis
Capability Enhancement Program first year success
The first year of the Naval Reserve Capability Enhancement Program (NRCEP) has resulted in a 44 per cent usage of the Reserve days allocated to the Program.
This very pleasing result was achieved against a first year target of 25 per cent.
Importantly, Reservists have contributed under the new initiative to a range of capabilities within the force element groups (FEGs) including the establishment of a new Reserve diving team in Cairns - ANRDT12 and a new Reserve hydrographic survey team (DGST-3).
Many individual reservists have provided relief to rectify personnel deficiency reports (PDRs) in a range of RAN ships and across several FEGs.
Year 07-08 will see the continuation and development of the program. The bar will be raised to a target of 60 per cent take up as the NR seeks to achieve 100 per cent take up in year 08-09. This will then expend the annual budget of $2.3M.
So it is 'thank you' to those who have joined the program and a new invitation to join the program to those Reservists who have not yet come on board.
It is anticipated that there will be a CEP development focus on the Patrol Boat, Amphibious Afloat Support Group and Mine Warfare Clearance Diving FEGs during 07-08. This will most likely lead to an increase in seagoing opportunities for Reservists and wider career opportunities.
An important feature of the program is the funding provided for travel and training (both currency and advancement). This is to ensure career progression and career management within the FEG PN structure.
If you would like to find out more, contact your Reserve Regional Pool Manager or refer to the contact details in the Reserve Handy Billy.
Continuous full-time service
There is a greatly increased range of continuous full time service positions now available to Naval Reservists for varying lengths of service and in different locations around Australia. Individual positions and periods of service are a matter of negotiation. Reservists on CFTS may qualify for employer support payments which are a substantial incentive to employers to release Reservists for service. Additionally, some Reservists may be able to improve their DFRDB benefits by undertaking 12 months CFTS.
CFTS is increasingly being used to support the PN workforce. There are presently about 350 Reservists undertaking CFTS.
If you are interested in finding out more about CFTS, initial contact should be made with your local Regional Reserve Pool Manager (RRPM) although you should note that all individual CFTS contracts are negotiated and finalized with either DNOP or DSCM staff.
The Reserve Symposium 2008
The fourth Naval Reserve Symposium is now being planned and will be held at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour on Friday February 1. The theme for the symposium will be Leveraging the Part Time Work Force.
The symposium will follow the RAN Sea Power Conference 2008 which will be held in the same location from Tuesday January 29 to Thursday January 31, 2008 with the theme Australia and its maritime interests: at home and in the region.
The Naval Reserve Symposium is open to both NR and PN members who are involved in management and policy affecting Reservists. Further details can be found at: reserves.
