Publication:Sea Talk Spring 2008/Reserves column
By the Director of Naval Reserve Support - National, CAPT Richard Phillips
Trial access to DASS for Reservists
Reservists are now eligible for support through the Defence assisted study scheme (DASS) through a two year trial.
The aims of DASS are to improve the in-service study opportunities for military personnel of all ranks to encourage individuals to consider professional training and education opportunities.
It does not provide for development of job-specific training or military career progression qualifications as this firmly remains a service responsibility.
While Reserves on continuous full-time service (CFTS) of 12 months or more have been able to access DASS, this access has now been extended to Reservists serving on training days for the duration of the trial.
DASS caters for a range of training and development opportunities but it is not an automatic right or entitlement.
The new DASS is a single replacement for the former Services vocational training scheme and the Defence Force assisted study scheme.
It has provided members with a valuable tool in helping to access training and development opportunities based on a mutual Defence-member obligation, but initiated by the member.
Support is provided on a tiered basis. Level 1 can attract up to $4,000 per annum reimbursement, Level 2 - $2,000 per annum, and Level 3 - $1,000. The two year trial is funded by Reserve and Employer Support Division and to attract Level 1 funding, the course should be a defence-preferred course with a career development focus.
Information on DASS can be found at http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/DET/DASS with reserve information available on www.defence.gov.au/reserves and in DI(G) PERS 05-1.
The Matthew Davey Award 2009 - overseas studies grant scheme
Reference: DI(N) ADMIN 6-4 Royal Australian Naval Reserve Professional Studies Program
Applications are now being sought for the 2009 Matthew Davey Award (MDA) overseas studies grant scheme (the award).
The award provides a member of the Naval Reserve with a grant to travel overseas to undertake study relevant to enhance Navy capability.
The study tour must be completed by December 31 in the year the award is granted.
Funding covers travel, accommodation and other costs associated with the study tour, up to a maximum of 14 days.
The study may focus on, but is not limited to the NR applicant’s involvement in:
- Maritime defence;
- Financial and corporate management;
- Operations and logistics;
- Human resources and training;
- Military health;
- Public relations; and
- Information systems and management.
The project must be linked to undertaking study relevant to Navy capability.
As part of the selection process, Reservists are required to develop a positive and meaningful project that will benefit the Navy.
If the area of intended study involves a professional or specialist area, then the application must be accompanied by a letter of support from the relevant ‘head of community’ (which is normally at a one-star level) or appropriate director general/director.
Representational and personal attributes also form an integral part of the selection process, as successful candidates will represent the NR as a component of the RAN internationally.
Eligiblity
Eligibility for the award is open to all NR members regardless of rank or specialisation/category who meet the following criteria:
- As the scheme seeks to encourage employer support for the NR, applicants for the award must be in formal civilian employment (includes full time, permanent part-time and permanent casual).
- NR members serving on CFTS may be eligible, provided that they are on leave from their civilian employment during their service on CFTS. Further, an award recipient who then decides to undertake CFTS will be able to retain the award, providing that they can still complete their study tour by December 31 in the year of the award. However, the application of a Reservist who then transfers to the PN will be cancelled. If an award has been granted and a transfer then occurs, the award will be withdrawn and the entitlement transferred to the next highest ranking candidate.
- Applicants must have undertaken at least 20 days of service in the financial year prior to application for an award.
- Unemployed, self-employed and Reservists who are full time students are ineligible for the award.
Conditions and closing date
The study tour must be completed by December 31, 2009.
The closing date for entries is October 31 this year, and the winner will be announced during the corporate leadership forum next March.
The MDA overseas study grant scheme is managed by the Office of Director General Reserves-Navy and established under the authority of DI(N) ADMIN 6-4.
For further information, visit: http://www.navy.gov.au/reserves/
- Log into Members’ Area
- Select ‘News & Information’
- Select ‘Professional Studies Program’
- Select ‘Matthew Davey Award’
Or contact CMDR Gary Brown, DRES-N, R8-2-011 Russell Offices, CANBERRA, ACT 2600 Gary.Brown9@defence.gov.au. (02 6265 6678).
Standby Reserve contact program
CMDR Andrew Dale
Standby Reservists who receive an evening phone call in the near future will not necessarily be the target of a telemarketer.
It could be a fellow Reservist checking on your availability and willingness to serve.
In line with DI (N) PERS 66-15 Management of Australian Defence Force Standby Reserves, the Chief Staff Officer (Reserves) in Navy Personnel and Training, CMDR Andrew Dale, has instigated a Standby Reserve contact program (SRCP) to record up to date contact details as well as information on their health and fitness and the currency and standard of skill levels they hold.
The program uses the services of Active Reserve personnel located within each Reserve Regional Pool office to research and approach by telephone, those people who are listed on PMKeyS as Navy Standby Reserve.
The Standby Reservist is asked a series of questions to confirm their residential status, contact details, and civilian employment details.
They are also asked to answer the exact same four questions regarding their current health status as are asked of all Active Reserve each year via the Annual Health Declaration.
These questions are not to seek specific medical-in-confidence answers, but are general in nature to determine how many Standby Reserve members consider themselves at a level of fitness sufficient for them to render service in case of need.
[Standby Reserve members should be aware that under section 50D of the Defence Act 1903, the Governor General may, by written order, call out the Standby Reserve or any class or member of the Standby Reserve, for CFTS . Hence, it is imperative that all three services have the ability to contact members of the Standby Reserve, and also have confidence that members on the Standby Reserve have the physical capacity to serve in time of need.]
“In addition to these questions, we have taken the opportunity to advise members of the opportunities available for employment within the PN (on CFTS or re-entering), the Naval Reserve Capability Enhancement Program (NRCEP) and the Funded Reserve Commitment (FRC) positions embedded throughout Navy,” said CMDR Dale.
“At the end of June, there were about 3463 people listed in PMKeyS as Standby Reserve.
“Of these, some 2,012 have been personally contacted.1,052 were unable to be contacted - so the information held in PMKeyS on them may well be incorrect.”
CMDR Dale said 26 contacted had asked to be discharged from the Reserves, 43 had already transferred to the Active Reserve and another 167 had been sent the paperwork to begin transfer to the Active Reserve
“This is an ongoing program, so if you receive a phone call one evening, we are not telemarketers,” said CMDR Dale, “so please don’t hang up on us."
“Take the time to answer the questions in a courteous and helpful manner – it will certainly help us and may help you to reinvigorate your Naval career.”
Further information on the Standby Reserve, the Active Reserve or even transferring back into the Permanent Navy, can be found at https://www.navy.gov.au/reserves/ or you can email npt.reserves@defence.gov.au.
