Rejoining Navy Easier Than Ever
14 December 2009
After six months of frustration with the current re-entry process to the Permanent Navy, Chief Petty Officer Marine Technician Mitcherson is now back in uniform fulltime, thanks to the efforts of Rejoin Case Management Team (RCMT).
"After successive sea time deployments, I needed a break, I wanted to spend some time with my family to ensure they were OK," CPO Mitcherson recalls.
"It was actually my family who suggested I rejoin. I always wanted to come back, after 20 years in the Navy, it’s always a part of you, and I missed it."
CPO Mitcherson acknowledged that if it wasn’t for the support and efforts of the , he probably wouldn’t be in the Navy in a fulltime capacity.
"The correspondence I received from the was the reason I persisted in my attempts to rejoin," he said.
"It showed me that the Chief of Navy’s initiatives in putting people first were actually working, there was a way forward."
Two of Navy’s Signature Behaviours, "Challenge and Innovate" and "Fix Problems and Take Action" were at the forefront of CPO Mitcherson’s actions when he wrote to CN advising of his situation, providing a catalyst to the creation of the .
"CPO Mitcherson was the catalyst for future re-joiner developments and initiatives. His efforts were at the centre of CN’s directive to assist, ease, and expedite the re-entry to the Permanent Navy of ex-members," said CMDR Greg Glancy, leader of the RCMT.
"CPO Mitcherson had the qualifications and experience that Navy needed to allow us to expedite his return to full time service within two days."
Navy is short of numbers in certain specialist categories and ex-members who have the skills and experience in these critical areas can have their rejoining process reduced to allow easier re-entry. has previously been able to drastically shorten the process, with some applications being completed within 36 hours.
The RCMT is located at Canberra and Fleet Base West. Each member is dedicated to smoothing the way for re-joiners. For more information on the Rejoin Case Management Team email rejoin.cmt@defence.gov.au.
