Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2008/Do you have something to contribute to the submarine workforce review?
Former Fleet Commander RADM Rowan Moffitt is due to report to the Chief of Navy by October 31 on actions required for the Navy to ‘deliver and sustain the optimum submarine capability required by the Australian Defence Force’.
And he’s invited all who believe they have ideas to improve the situation to contact him with their contributions.
In his directive to RADM Moffitt, former CN VADM Russ Shalders says a range of factors, some confined to the submarine community, some affecting the Navy as a whole and some felt nationally by the Australian workforce, are impacting on the Service’s ability to generate the required level of capability from the submarine force.
He describes shortage of seaman officers as a Navy-wide factor and shortage of people with technical trade qualifications as a national challenge.
The Australia wide skills shortage has impacted significantly on the Navy’s submarine arm and the Navy’s ability to attract and retain the high calibre of person required to meet the duties associated with submarine service. The situation is now more severe than it has been for some time and, despite continued efforts to address the causes, workforce pressures continue.
RADM Moffitt has been tasked to examine a range of factors affecting the uniformed workforce of the Navy’s submarine arm.
A copy of CN’s directive to RADM Moffitt is available at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/navyweb/sites/CN/docs/CN_DIRECTIVE-Submarine_sustainability_review.pdf
RADM Moffitt has been asked to identify all potential areas where changes in the way we do business broadly in Navy might help to stabilise and grow the submarine workforce. He will also develop an integrated action plan.
“The value of this review depends on me gaining access to as many views and opinions as possible across the Navy community,” RADM Moffitt said. “I will treat all submissions with the strictest confidence and the names of contributors will not be revealed if individuals ask to remain anonymous.”
RADM Moffitt is seeking input from across Navy, Defence, industry and the retired community. He is keen to hear from anyone who has information that they think may be of assistance to him.
Submissions can be emailed to submarine.review@defence.gov.au or by post to RADM R.C. Moffitt AO, RAN, Submarine Review, Russell Offices R1-4-C002, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT, 2600.
A principal warfare officer (PWO) and a specialist navigator with command experience in HMA Ships Newcastle and Brisbane, RADM Moffitt is a former Deputy Chief of Navy and Fleet Commander who has just returned to Navy 2½ years as the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations.
