Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2005/Promotion linked to individual readiness
By LCDR Robyn Shackleton Staff Officer Individual Readiness
Significant changes have been made to the Navy's policy on Individual Readiness (IR) and changes have also been made to the Physical Fitness Policy including the conduct of the RAN Physical Fitness Test.
Essentially each individual has greater responsibility for maintaining IR and failure to do so will affect eligibility for promotion.
"The new DI(N) places more emphasis on each service member being personally responsible for maintaining his or her individual readiness," said the Director of Navy Employment conditions, CMDR Andrew Jackman. "Members who are not ready in any of the six individual IR components will not be eligible for promotion unless there are exceptional circumstances."
Each member should read and become familiar with the new instructions on Individual Readiness in DI(N) PERS 31-46 and the RAN Physical Fitness Test information in DI(N) PERS 31-38). An additional aspect to the new Physical Fitness Policy enables the test to be conducted onboard most RAN ships.
In rewriting the two DI(N)s, emphasis was placed on using simplified language and removing duplication of information.
In line with Navy Personnel's greater reliance on PMKeyS as a management tool, the rewrite provides an updated "availability for deployment" form and PMKeyS print out, to make monitoring of IR simpler for members and managers. The form is to be completed by members annually and a simplified guide/checklist has been included for members in preparing for deployment.
Members will now be deemed "employment ready" unless changed as a result of an unsatisfactory report. This will significantly reduce the administrative burden of maintaining records.
Both the medical and dental components of IR continue to be assessed each year - the medical component includes vaccination requirements and the requirement to include information about any psychological examinations that have been conducted. This was considered to be a very important inclusion because a member's notice for deployment may be affected if they require counselling. If this applies to you, you need to keep divisional staff informed. The new DI(N) also emphasises that dental status is to be maintained by the member's dental unit.
The weapons component of IR is covered in detail in ABR 1920. The instructions clearly state to whom this element of IR applies to and who is responsible for recording the IR status.
The new DI(N) clearly states who IR policy applies to. Members over the age of 55 are exempt from IR except those members posted to sea or operational areas. Career management authorities will be responsible for ensuring that the exemptions for these members are current. In addition, specific guidance on the authorities for granting exemptions and waivers has been updated along with more detailed advice on reporting and recording IR.
The cardio component has been revised and is based on internationally recognised standards. The test (shuttle run or beep test) can be completed on any ship with sufficient deck space (20-25m) to run the test. The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) was consulted to determine the equivalent beep test standard to the other cardio components ensuring a fair comparison with the other options (2.4km run, 5 km walk, 500m swim).
Another change relates to the wearing of the Royal Australian Navy Service Readiness Badge (SRB) - only members who are fully ready are permitted to wear the SRB. Previously those with an IR waiver were allowed to wear the SRB. See paragraph 18 DI (N) PERS 30-9 Entitlement, Issue and Wearing of the Royal Australian Navy Service Readiness Badge for the revised rules on wearing the SRB.
Other features of the new DI(N) include an exemption to reduce the burden of IR compliance on units deployed on operations. Members are assumed to be ready while deployed on operations as long as they are ready before deployment. A grace period following deployment allows sufficient time to bring IR up to date.
Divisional staff, supervisors and medical personnel should also ensure they are familiar with the information in these new DI(N)s.
Further information can be gained from the Directorate of Navy Employment Conditions. The email address is: NEC.Advice@defence.gov.au
