Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2005/Reserves column
by CMDR Joseph Lukaitis, Office of DGRES-N
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RAN Staff Acquaint Course Winner
Navy Reservist LEUT Robert Bryson has won the 2005 Lonsdale Medal for the highest overall performance in academic endeavour, achievement of course outcomes, sporting participation and social interaction across the three phases of the RAN Staff Acquaint Course (RANSAC).
LEUT Bryson is a seaman officer who lives in Hobart.
Nine Naval officers and one Air Force Reservist successfully completed the last phase of the course and graduated in October.
The RANSAC 2005 graduates are:
- LEUT Robert Bryson RANR
- SQNLDR Kathryn Cochrane
- LCDR Rodney Cooper RANR
- LCDR Annette Ford RANR
- LEUT Joanne Mackintosh RAN
- LCDR Timothy McKerrow RANR
- LCDR Margaret Maher RANR
- LEUT Colin Pennell RANR
- LCDR Stacy Porter RAN
- LCDR Paul Thitchener RAN
Deputy Chief of Navy RADM Max Hancock and the newly appointed Director-General Reserves-Navy, CDRE Ranford Elsey, attended the graduation day ceremonies for 2005. The Commandant of the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC), BRIG Wayne Bowen, presented the successful graduates with their certificates.
Course Structure
The RAN Staff Acquaint Course is designed for both reservists and permanent officers to achieve a staff qualification in three phases over two years.
Phase One: Is a two-week residential module at the Australian Command and Staff College, Canberra, covering Defence writing, communication skills, problem solving techniques and Navy management.
Phase Two: Is an external studies module, during which students are required to research and produce a Defence paper on a Reserve or Navy management issue, prepare a written brief on a defence topic and complete assignments on strategic matters.
Phase Three: Is a two-week residential module at the ACSC covering maritime strategy, Australian defence strategy and joint operations. This module is conducted twelve months after Phase One.
The staff course is an excellent opportunity for Reservists to enhance both military and civilian skills.
Feedback from recent graduates indicates that the course is essential for any officer of Lieutenant Commander or senior Lieutenant to undertake their duties within a headquarters environment. It is also of great benefit to Reserve officers within their civilian employment, a fact confirmed by feedback from both individuals and employers.
Directing Staff
To ensure the course is being delivered to the highest standard, two Directing Staff have attended overseas Staff Colleges (US Naval War College and the Canadian Joint Reserve Staff Course) on specific study tours. The knowledge gained has been incorporated within the RANSAC deliveryof curriculum.
Under the guidance of the ACSC, the RANSAC provides officers with training in staff skills and introduces contextual issues in contemporary and historical maritime strategy to prepare them for intermediate staff or command postings in the rank of Lieutenant Commander or Commander.
The Directing Staff (DS) of RANSAC reflect the diversity and experience of naval personnel. The Course Director CMDR Alan Regan, is supported by CMDR Steve Rowley, CMDR Paul Taylor, CMDR David Goble, CMDR Fabian Purcell, and LCDR Andrew St John-Brown. Together they represent over 120 years of operational, educational, maritime and joint experience. Their combined experience is an invaluable instructional asset for the course. For 2005,
RANSAC was also very ably supported by LCDR Heidi Rossendell who ensured the smoothrunning of the course.
How to Apply
Admission to RANSAC is selective and is open to senior Lieutenant to Commander (equivalent) levels from any branch or list of the NR and the PN. Army, RAAF and Royal New Zealand Navy Volunteer Reserve officers are also able to nominate through their service channels.
RANSAC nominations will be called for in the New Year of 2006. Any interested officers should contact the RANSAC Planning Officer at the College on (02) 6266 0316 for more information. Nominations from those officers wishing to attend should be received by the College by March 31 next.
Have you seen Goorangai?
Many reservists are still unaware of Goorangai, which is the name of the series of occasional papers published by the RANR Professional Studies Program.
Five papers have already been published and they are available for you to read on the internet at www.navy.gov.au/reserves
Goorangai articles are a forum for reservists to publish papers on a range of issues from naval history to the navy future and everything in-between.
If you would like to contribute a Goorangai paper, you should initially contact either CMDR David Goble on (02) 6265 2935 or David.Goble@defence.gov.au or CMDR Joseph Lukaitis on (03) 9819 5515 or lukaitispartners@bigpond.com .
