Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2006/New choices for members posting
By CMDR Anthony Haigh
Navy families will be interested to know significant positive changes have recently been introduced for Navy members with dependants who are posting.
Members and their families can now choose to either take their family with them to the new location or proceed unaccompanied to provide the family with ongoing geographic stability in the previous posting location.
"The new family stability initiative allows members to choose what's best for them and their families," said Director of Navy Employment Conditions, CMDR David Wilson. "We know having to relocate members and their families on a frequent basis can add pressures on the family but we want members and their families to assess their own situation with confidence, knowing they will be supported by Defence."
Over the past two years, policy governing members with dependant (separated) (MWD(S)) has been reviewed. As a result, ADF senior leadership has broadened the eligibility for members to proceed on posting unaccompanied.
Included in this policy change is a change of title from members with dependants (separated) (MWD(S)) to members with dependents (unaccompanied) (MWD(U)). The initiative removes all the previous eligibility tests that applied to MWD(S) and opens up the MWD(U) to all members who are classified members with dependants.
Although a highly mobile workforce is a military capability requirement for the ADF, the intent of the family stability initiative is to reduce, where possible, the pressure associated with frequent postings on ADF personnel and their families. Extending the options available to ADF members is intended to encourage them to continue with their military service.
The initiative will provide members with the flexibility to accommodate the needs of their families while continuing to meet their service obligations: families may elect to remain in their current localities when the member is posted to provide educational stability for children and employment continuity for spouses and partners.
Families choosing geographic stability will retain Defence entitlements such as housing or rent assistance, and family support provisions. ADF members taking up new postings unaccompanied will also receive a 'conditions of service' package that includes accommodation or rent and meals assistance, up to six family reunion visits each year, and help with additional costs associated with living away from their families.
And, if the unaccompanied posting for the member and the consequent geographic stability for the family later proves not to have been the best option, families may apply to be relocated to the new posting locality, provided the service member has at least six months to serve there. Housing assistance and other support provisions will then be made available in the new locality.
The ADF remains committed to keeping families together where possible, and members who choose to have their families accompany them on taking up their new postings will continue to be supported by the full range of existing relocation and housing entitlements.
The family stability initiative is now in place for the 2006 end-of-year posting cycle. The Defence Community Organisation (DCO) will provide support and advice to members considering the MWD(U) option.
For more information check intranet.defence.gov.au/pac/ or consult your divisional officer.
