Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2006/A few words about 'the silent service'

A Few Words About 'the Silent Service'

The submarine service offers highly motivated sailors and officers the opportunity to enter the elite family of a special breed of sailor. Nobody knows this better than the Commander Australian Naval Submarine Group (CANSG), CDRE Richard Shalders, who is the man at the helm of 'the silent service'. In this revealing interview he talks to Michael Brooke about the rewards of being a submariner and the challenges he faces in keeping the fleet of Collins-class submarines operational.

SeaTalk: What is it like being CANSG? What are your main responsibilities and how do you ease the pressure of command?

CDRE Shalders: I am very fortunate and thoroughly enjoy my position as FEG Commander of an exceptional group of people and a world class submarine capability - 'the silent service'.

My main responsibility is to deliver to the Maritime Commander and Chief of Navy a safe, professional, and capable submarine force to meet the strategic objectives for ADF directed by the Australian Government. As head of the submarine service I have a unique role to advise CN and steer our organisation on a good course to the future.

There is a series of very important goals that I have for the FEG. The first is to maintain and enhance a world class submarine safety system with a major emphasis on ensuring that operational excellence is achieved using safe work practices. SUBSAFE continues to improve and is now our basis for work procedures.

The second is focusing our commitment to our officers and sailors as the Navy's most important resource and offering them greater opportunities for training and education and personal growth to allow them to excel professionally and personally and to give them the chance to make a difference. Our submarine force has always had men and women of personal courage and integrity at all levels of the organisation.

My third goal is to improve the submarine force's reputation and image - to promote the submarine force in a manner that will result in better recruitment and retention. If a young person wants to be a submariner I can guarantee a real challenge - they will be part of an elite team that accomplishes incredible things. I don't know of any other areas in the Navy where people are given the level of responsibility in the short period of time that they're on board. We're modern, and one of the most capable submarine forces in the world. That is why the submarine force is a great place to be.

The great work our submariners do helps ease the pressure of command. I believe in promoting the submarine force as much as I can, and recognising our people for their exceptional work .

Our people deserve more publicity and recognition for the wonderful work they do day in and day out but unfortunately the media often portray the submarine force in an unconstructive manner. If people really knew about everything that our submarines are doing around the world, they'd be very proud of our submarine force. Everybody 'in the know' tremendously appreciates the effort they're putting in.

On a personal level, I relax by playing golf and tennis and swimming whenever I get an opportunity and spending time with my family.

SeaTalk: Please explain the development process in terms of the continued enhancement of the capabilities of the Collins class submarines which are world class.

CDRE Shalders: The full potential of the Collins submarines is now being realised, however in order to remain a potent, strategic and tactical defence asset for the next decade, the Collins systems need to be regularly updated.

Areas where the Collins has exceeded requirements include the boat's underwater manoeuvrability, habitability and the integrated ship control management and monitoring system (ISCMMS), a softwarebased vessel-management system that has proven to be a success.

Currently, the RAN is working with the USN to further develop and improve the new combat system being provided to our submarines. It is important for the RAN to match our force capability to emerging strategic requirements. The RAN submarine force has and will continue to have a well-developed capability.

Submarine training is continually improving and developing to meet the unique capabilities of our modern submarines. This has resulted in our submarine crews demonstrating great tactical skill in a variety of difficult, demanding and challenging operations and this is developed through improved and continuous training systems.

No other military platform can move into harm's way and stay there for so long unnoticed and submarines must be able to operate alone and unsupported for extended periods in areas that could be controlled by an enemy. While other warships may go in harm's way, submarines must be able to live there. The ability to live in that environment dictates the need for stealth, mobility, and firepower and these areas continue to be developed and improved.

SeaTalk: They say all submariners are brothers in arms, and your brother is CN. Is 'Big Brother' supportive and understanding of your responsibilities and the challenges facing 'the silent service'?

CDRE Shalders: Although unique in many ways, the challenges that the Submarine Service face are similar across the RAN and I get the same level of support from CN as everyone else in the RAN gets. CN is an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) specialist so the debate always rages at our infrequent family BBQs, but as usual the submariner is always on the winning side (CN may debate this).

SeaTalk: What are you key messages and what do you hope to achieve in your time as CANSG?

CDRE Shalders: I would like to say to those sailors and officers in the submarine service that I recognise and greatly appreciate the great work they are doing. There is no doubt that people are working harder, and often spending more time away from home and along with good employment prospects in the civilian sector its getting more difficult to attract and retain our workforce. The challenge for me and my senior leadership team is to work harder and to retain the trained personnel we have in the submarine force and to promote the 'silent service' as a challenging, rewarding occupation.

One area where most officers and sailors are looking for improvement is an understanding of the FEG's vision and for senior management to communicate more effectively. Providing focus, an exciting direction, and encouraging open, honest two-way communication are allimportant factors for me to work towards in the challenge to retain personnel. All of this needs strong leadership and a team approach.

There always will be people leaving our workforce and I recognise that this can be healthy but are the ones leaving the ones the Navy can least afford to lose? With expensive turnover costs compounded by the skill shortage and the ageing workforce, the submarine force is working aggressively to keep what I consider to be the most valuable of resources. Improved recruitment and retention are my main aims along with superior submarine capability.

SeaTalk: What can you tell our readers about careers in submarines and the enhanced selection process (ESP)?

CDRE Shalders: If you're considering a new and exciting career within the Navy you may want to check out the life of a submariner including some of the attractive benefits they receive. Serving personnel from the Navy, Army and Air Force who are interested in becoming submariners can test the waters first by attending an obligationfree, five-day course at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. The submarine service offers highly motivated sailors and officers the opportunity to enter the elite family of a special breed of sailor.

The enhanced selection process (ESP) is conducted by the Training Authority- Submarines (TA-SM) at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre (STSC) – a purpose-built submarine training facility with state-of-art simulators and specialist computer-based training equipment.

Those nominated for the course will be posted to the STSC and over the five-day course will be provided with a variety of informative briefs and a tour of a Collins submarine. There are sessions designed to give a general insight on the employment, lifestyle and conditions of service of a submariner and what it's like to become part of a team who operate the world's most capable conventional submarine. A common theme that features in the briefs is the mutual dependency submariners have on one another, the close-knit camaraderie and that enviable espirit-de-corps submariners share the world over.

The ESP is normally conducted monthly and during the week the aim of the course is to give a deep look into the world of submariners. Students are given a smoke walk in the survivability school, a recompression chamber dive and water surface exercises at the submarine escape training facility; interviews and discussions with submariners and psychologists, a submarine suitability medical; plus comprehensive briefs on submarine categories duties, routines, security, conditions of service and submarine operations. In other words, an 'underwater look' at what it means to be a submariner.

The benefits of the ESP are two-fold - prospective submariners can make an informed decision about a career in submarines and whether they are suitable and prepared to take the next step towards submarine training. In turn, TA-SM staff are able to assess at close range the suitability of a candidate for submarine service throughout the ESP and consequently make informed recommendations to the course members and their career managers.

The ESP is really a try-before-you-buy program that TA-SM strives to pack with information and vocational, hands-on activities. Although participating in an ESP is not a commitment or obligation to join the submarine service, it does provide an opportunity to meet submariners, spend some time in a submarine and weigh-up the benefits of an exciting, demanding and professionally fulfilling career that pays well too.

There are no costs involved to the participant and all ESP course members are provided with quality service accommodation on Garden Island (west), transport and all meals during the course.

Volunteers interested in an ESP should make their request through their divisional system or CO then complete the criteria in accordance with DI(N) PERS 75-41 and arrange for DSCM/DNOP (or appropriate service career agency) to be notified.