Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2008/The Warrant Officer of the Navy
Welcome to the Winter 2008 edition of SeaTalk.
The Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal’s approval of the Navy Capability Allowance (NCA) in April 2008 was a great outcome for our sailors, and is already enhancing our Navy’s ability to meet capability requirements both in general service and the submarine arm. The allowance is paid over three instalments totalling $24K for general service, and $60K for submarine arm personnel after meeting specific requirements, which include completion of initial minimum period of service, and enduring individual readiness. The broad intent of the NCA is to stabilise the Navy’s workforce in the ranks of CPO and below, thereby assisting our Navy in meeting its capability requirements.
In applying for the NCA I recommend that all personnel refer to DGNPT’s intranet website, speak with their divisional staff, and if required seek appropriate financial advice.
It is pleasing to note that the implementation of the Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) which was announced in last year’s Federal budget will be supported by roadshows carried out between July and September 2008. In April the Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Mr Warren Snowdon, announced that the loan providers will be: National Australia Bank Limited, Australian Defence Credit Union Limited, and Defence Force Credit Union Limited. I anticipate that more specifics will come to hand over the next few weeks in the lead-up to the implementation date, and I recommend that personnel regularly access the DHOAS internet webpage (http://www.defence.gov.au/DPE/PAC/dhoas.htm) to keep abreast of the most up-to-date information.
On a different tack, in April, the Deputy Fleet Commander convened a selection panel for upcoming Ship’s Warrant Officer positions within Fleet Command. I am heartened that the role of SWOs continues to attract highly professional warrant officers and I thank all applicants for their detailed preparation. I congratulate Warrant Officers J. J. Bonney (HMAS Anzac), Michael Burrows (HMAS Perth), and Mark Edwards on their successful selection.
Throughout the second quarter of 2008, our men and women have continued to work hard in meeting our Navy’s, and ultimately our Government’s requirements both on the Australian station, and further abroad. Late April saw the safe return to Fleet Base West of HMAS Arunta following her second Operation Catalyst deployment, and the deployment of HMAS Stuart from Fleet Base East in late March as her relief on station in the Middle East area of operations.
I had the privilege of visiting Stuart on station in the Middle East area of operations in mid-May accompanying the Chief of Navy. I would like to thank the ship’s company of Stuart for their excellent hospitality, and again for the frank discussions that ensued throughout the visit.
In recognising the efforts of our deployed personnel, I acknowledge the challenge of deploying our units coupled with the continual requirement to train our people both afloat and ashore has meant that organisations such as Sea Training Group as well as the staff of our Schools of Survivability and Ship Safety have been working hard for quite some time. Additionally I note that maintenance and refit programs across all classes of ships and submarines throughout Australia have continued, which has kept our people and various support agencies very busy.
During April I was invited to attend the Submarine Force Element Group Warrant Officers’ Advisory Group meeting which was chaired by CDRE Shalders, and included a visit to HMAS Waller and the Submarine Headquarters onboard Fleet Base West. I thank the men and women of the submarine arm for their hospitality and for providing me with a detailed insight into the day-to-day activities of our submariners.
Throughout the first half of this year I have been privileged to meet and interact with the members of a number of leadership development courses throughout Australia at HMAS Creswell, and at our Sailors’ Leadership and Management Faculties, both East and West. I would like to thank all the staff at these faculties for their excellent support in facilitating my visits. I encourage all sailors to speak to their divisional staff at the earliest opportunity with respect to completing these courses, and to also investigate other leadership development opportunities, such as studying under the provisions of the Defence Assistance Study Scheme. A number of these opportunities are currently available to our personnel.
In the Autumn 2008 edition of SeaTalk I touched briefly on the further reform that is expected to be formulated throughout this year in the remuneration area under the Remuneration Reform Project (RRP). This phase of the RRP is more commonly referred to as the ‘Graded Other Ranks Pay Structure’, or ‘GORPS’. The intent of GORPS is to move from 16 to 10 pay grades, which will provide an improved differential between pay grades and between some ranks. It is intended that GORPS will provide a more significant reward for promotion and upskilling in targeted areas. The Chief of the Defence Force will sponsor the Senior Non-commissioned Officers (SNCO) Forum at the Centre for Defence Leadership Studies the Australian Defence College (ADC) in Weston Creek over the period October 9-10. SNCO leadership development focus group meetings have been convened annually at the ADC since 2003 and have proven to be very successful. The forum this year will bring together 100 warrant officer, senior sailor and NCO-equivalent participants from around Australia and across the three Services over two days to discuss and develop solutions to contemporary issues faced by the Australian Defence Force. A formal mess dinner will also be held on the evening of October 8 at which members of the senior leadership will be in attendance. If invited, I encourage you to work with your command to make yourself available for this forum.
James Levay
Warrant Officer of the Navy
E-mail: navy.won@defence.gov.au
Tel: 02 6265 4905
