Postings Section

Postings

The Posting Section is responsible for the following key tasks:

  1. Approval and issue of all regular soldiers posting orders within the Army.
  2. Receipt, processing and approval of all regular soldiers' applications for reposting and retention.
  3. Receipt, processing and approval of all regular soldiers' application for Compassionate (COPAS) reposting and retention.
  4. Processing all applications for LWOP/PTLWOP for periods exceeding three months but not exceeding two years. Applications are forwarded to the CO SCMA for approval.

Posting Orders

Career Managers cannot approve posting orders. Career Managers raise posting proposals and forwarded to the Posting Section within P5 who hold the Posting delegate. The Section scrutinise all such proposals to ensure the posting meets with current posting policies and where possible meets with individual wishes. If the delegate is happy with the proposal it is approved. Once approved the posting will appear on the DEFWEB.

Posting Planning Cycle 2010 - Soldiers

The posting planning cycle for 2010 is to be completed with the majority of posting orders for soldiers being promulgated on the DEFWEB not before 15 July 09.

On receipt of a posting order the soldier is to be interviewed by unit staff and any factors which may influence the posting are to be investigated. Where the soldier has reasons for the posting not to proceed, an application for retention is to be submitted. Those applications for retention that are as a result of a posting order are to be submitted to SCMA NLT 30 Aug 09.

Between 16 Jul - 14 Aug 09, SCMA will impose a posting moratorium. During this period units can submit repechages against the posting orders. However, no formal response to retentions will be sent by SCMA during this period.

SCMA will review and address the retentions with the results being promugated NLT 16 Oct 09.

From 16 Oct - 20 Nov 09 additional repechages will be reviewed and resolved.

After 20 Nov 09 posting changes will only occur if exceptional circumstances exist or there is a significant capability impact. All PE166s received at SCMA after 20 Nov 09 will not be processed until 1 Feb 2010.

Soldiers who submit a PE166 after 20 Nov 09 are to continue on their current posting and SCMA will process the members request from 1 Feb 10.

If a soldier is to be deployed over the planned posting date, the losing units are to comply with extant formation policy WRT personnel being posted whilst on operations.

Reposting and Retention PE166s

All PE 166's arriving at SCMA are processed by the Posting Clerk and forwarded to the CM for comment and recommendation. The application is then returned to P5 where either the SO2 or SO3 makes the final determination on approval. In considering all requests, SCMA review the original posting decision against the following posting criteria in priority order:

  • Needs of the service;
  • Widening the career base of CAREER soldiers, preparing them for greater responsibility; and
  • Realistic desires of soldiers.

If posting or retention does not conflict with service requirements, including career planning, and does not disadvantage other soldiers it will usually be approved (although each case will be considered individually on its merit).

COPAS

When applying for Compassionate (COPAS) retention or re-posting a Defence Community Organisation (DCO) report must accompany the PE166 for EVERY case. COPAS postings are usually only granted for cases of a short-term nature (12 months or less). For approved COPAS Postings, the soldier must sign a letter of acknowledgment stating that they are now offering restricted service for the duration of the posting. A review of the compassionate circumstances is conducted 1 month before the tenure date on the posting order.

If COPAS circumstances no longer apply, the soldier rejoins the normal posting plot as ‘offering unrestricted service'. If COPAS circumstances still exist, an extension may be requested, however, this will only be granted in exceptional circumstances. Soldiers offering restricted service for a period exceeding 24 months should normally expect to be counselled on their continued service in the ADF. Although each case is different, any situation resulting in restricted service is likely to limit the individual's opportunities for operational and key appointment postings, promotion course attendance and promotion.

Common Problems with PE166s

Timely processing of PE166's is dependant upon unit administration standards. Some common problems experienced by SCMA, which increases processing times for applications are:

  1. CO comments and recommendations not given;
  2. The soldier had not signed the acknowledgment on the last page of the PE166;
  3. statements missing or not provided;
  4. incomplete or insufficient information attached (ie DCO report for COPAS cases);
  5. faxed forms that are unreadable or with vital information cut off; and
  6. Requested date of posting not given

Posting Philosophy

In considering all requests, SCMA has to balance the Army Needs, Unit Needs and the soldier's individual circumstances. In some instances, we are able to match the member's requirements with these needs, however sometimes we are not. In these cases, Army and Unit Needs have the priority, however each case will be considered on its individual merits.

LWOP

LWOP is a condition of service that can be granted to provide for absence from duty where no other leave entitlement is sufficient or appropriate, in circumstances where continuous employment is desired by the member. Units should fully investigate the reasons the member is applying for LWOP to ensure it meets the correct criteria IAW the references above. All facts should be forwarded to SCMA with the application for delegate consideration. Failure to supply a supporting statement detailing the reasons for requesting LWOP will result in excess processing time. LWOP will generally not be granted if:

  1. Approval would effect the operational efficiency of the ADF;
  2. There is a likelihood the member will not return to FTS;
  3. Activities to be undertaken whilst on LWOP are not in the interest of the ADF; and/or
  4. Other leave entitlements/options exist that would be more appropriate.

Where a soldier's leave is in excess of three months and extends across the usual reporting dates for the Performance Appraisal Report (PAR), the soldier is to have a PAR raised prior to their leave commencing. In addition, soldiers remain posted to their unit for the period of LWOP. However, where LWOP exceeds six months a unit can request that the soldier be posted to a Pool position so their position can be back-filled.

LWOP is not a safety net for soldiers who want to ‘test' the civilian employment sector. Unless there is legitimate justification (maternity leave or long term service benefit) the application is unlikely to be approved. Seeking a ‘break' would not be classed as a legitimate service benefit. LWOP creates a false asset that would be unsustainable to manage in these circumstances. In such cases, soldiers should be counselled to transfer to the reserve forces.

PTLWOP

The intent of the PTLWOP policy is to retain members that would otherwise elect to leave the ADF by enabling them to:

  1. Meet carers responsibilities;
  2. Seek respite from arduous periods of ADF service; and
  3. Fulfil education, training or other aspirations.

By increasing employment flexibility, valuable members who might otherwise choose to leave the ADF, may be retained. If, for one of the above reasons, the request complies with the following criteria it will usually be approved (although each case will be considered individually on its merit):

  1. Doesn't limit the ADF current and future operations;
  2. Normal working routine is not required to meet training needs for members specialisation; and
  3. The respective unit CO recommends the request.
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Admin requirements

SCMA requires units to adhere to the following procedures in order to assist in the efficient processing of LWOP and PTLWOP applications:

LWOP applications (over 3 mths) are to include the fol:

  • AD097 recommended by unit CO/OC
  • Unit covering minute detailing any circumstances the delegate may need to take into consideration. This may include if the unit is prepared to carry the vacancy or reasons why leave is not support by the unit
  • Soldier's statement outlining the purpose for taking LWOP, Whether they will be resuming full time service on completion of LWOP and the soldier understands the implications of LWOP regarding the effects on condition of service and entitlements.
  • Offer of employment for soldier's undertaking employment whilst on LWOP

PTLWOP applications are to include the fol:

  • Member's statement outlining the purpose for taking PTLWOP
  • Ack of employment in the ADF under PTLWOP work conditions
  • CO/OC certificate
  • If applicable, an application to undertake employment in off-duty hrs
  • PTLWOP and LWOP applications are to be received at SCMA NLT six weeks prior to the commencement of the requested leave. Applications forwarded to SCMA less than six weeks prior, are to have a covering minute detailing why the application is being submitted outside of the required timeframe.
  • Requests to amend or cancel a soldier's leave are to be forwarded To SCMA NLT one mth prior to the amendment/ cancellation date taking effect. Units are to provide full details as to why the leave is being amended/cancelled.
  • Units are advised failure to adhere to the above procedures may result in the soldier's application being returned to the unit.
  • POC SCMA is the LWOP/PTLWOP Clk on (03) 5258 0622; fax (03) 5258 0426