No-one would argue that this is not a busy time of the year. Across the Army thousands of soldiers have just marched into their new units. Removals, induction training, and a host of other things have been demanding attention and if you're a supervisor at any level, you're about to get even busier.

By now, most Commanding Officers will have written their PAR Directives appointing Assessors, Senior Assessors and Reviewing Officers within their units and providing them with guidance on how to manage the Performance Appraisal System (PAS). Initial counselling and goal setting should occur within the first 30 days of the reporting period and where a member is posted to a new unit, goal setting and initial counselling is to occur inside the first 30 days after the member assumes duty. If this hasn't happened, you should see that it does very soon. This is an important process in the PAS system to ensure soldiers are reported on correctly. At SCMA, we are currently preparing for the 2009 Personnel Advisory Committee (PAC) and are well underway.

Over the next 5 months, three thousand personnel will be presented to the PAC for merit based selection for promotion from CPL through to WO1. Units should by now be well aware of the new Minimum Time In Rank for soldiers, (in accordance with the Chief of Army's Directive 06/08). This initiative will have a direct impact on the number of members being presented to PAC, especially for the target rank of SGT.

2009 should be an interesting year as the Adaptive Army initiative takes shape. This initiative should have limited impact on the individual soldier as Army evolves its highercommand and control structures to better focus on its reason for being.

Also in 2009, I intend to pursue a number of ideas to support and enhance Army's current retention initiatives. We know from recent surveys that some of the drivers of dissatisfaction are: improved geographic stability; insufficient warning of postings; optimal career structures or paths and professional career management expertise. All of these areas are being addressed and SCMA will continue to inform and evaluate enhanced career options for soldiers throughout the year. I commend to you that if you have the opportunity to visit SCMA please do so. The relationship between the unit chain of command and the career managers is a most important one for your soldiers' sake.

GRADED OTHER RANKS PAY STRUCTURE (GORPS)

17 Nov 2008

On 7 November 2008 the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) approved a new remuneration structure of 10 pay grades for Warrant Officers and other ranks. The structure will provide new significant reward for promotion and upskilling in targeted areas.

The decision was backdated to 4 September 2008 with implementation in mid 2009. Implementation procedures are not yet finalised and members will be notified by message when dates have been confirmed.

Further information can be found at the following links:

ADF Pay and Conditions Website (internet)