Publication:Sea Talk Summer 2006/Warrant Officer of the Navy
Another year has passed and Christmas is fast approaching. Many of our people have worked extremely hard this year and I sincerely hope you have the opportunity to take a well-earned break.
I was fortunate to visit RAAF Wagga recently and spend some time with Navy's junior AT sailors. I attended a graduation parade and had the opportunity to talk with the graduating class and their families who were obviously very proud of their achievements after a long 14 months under training. I also spoke with the current trainees and had a good look at their facilities and accommodation. I met with some of these people in their classrooms and workshops. The intensity and depth of their training was impressive. Additionally, I was struck by the dedication of these trainees to apply themselves to complete that training.
More recently I co-hosted an annual leadership forum in Canberra. This two-day forum brings together a selection of our non-commissioned people in a tri-service environment in order to discuss some of the issues facing us in the future. The forum includes a formal dinner with the three Service chiefs in order that they too are exposed to some of the views from the lower deck.
It is a little-known fact that we have up to 100 people on posting and training courses in the USA at any one time, and I took the opportunity to engage them recently while accompanying the Chief of Navy on a recent visit. I know you would find this hard to believe but it is one of the few times I received no complaints about the posting plot! I also discussed a number of issues with my counterpart from the US Navy and marvelled at the similarity of problems facing their organisation.
The US Navy has some innovative approaches to solving their issues that our Navy will watch and learn from. Other visits through the period include accompanying Chief of Navy to HMAS Stirling, attending divisions and a Recruit School passing-out parade at HMAS Cerberus, and I was fortunate enough to searide a Royal Navy frigate out of Plymouth and view their Executive Warrant Officer at work during ship workups. Not surprisingly, the trials and tribulations of seagoing life are similar, irrespective of the country of service.
One very strong theme has emerged in my visits both ashore and at sea as well as through feedback from our Navy's senior Warrant Officers. We appear to have developed an organisational habit, particularly among our more senior sailors, of identifying issues either locally or more strategically, which is a good thing. However, rather than making a serious attempt at solving the problem via the divisional system, the command chain or any other well-tested method, we tend to offload the problem to the closest senior officer, tiger team or influential visitor. Typically, when asked what action has been taken, the answer is 'none'. We need to address these issues more rigorously, write to the appropriate people or be prepared to staff papers on the issue before we lay the problem at the feet of others. I understand that many of you will not like to hear this; however, I have a responsibility to tell it how I, and many others within our Navy, see it.
I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Warrant Officer Mark Monaghan on his selection as Command Warrant Officer - Recruit School (CWO-RS). He will replace the current CWO-RS Alan O'Shea, who is retiring after more than 32 years of tireless service to our Navy. I thank Alan for his personal contribution, particularly to the Navy's Recruit School, and wish him well in his future endeavours.
Once again this Christmas there will be a number of ships deployed and many people on operations. We should all take a moment to think of these people and their families when we are enjoying the Christmas break.
James Levay
Warrant Officer of the Navy
Email: james.levay@defence.gov.au
Tel: 02 6265 4905
