Pay the piper after the tune
In 1995 after several years enjoyable service in the ARA I decided to make the move into civvy street. Not wanting to cut my ties completely and yet not ready for the commitment required by the GRes, I transferred to the AIEF. For the most part, this has proven to be a satisfactory arrangement, completing my annual BFA, medboard and training day within the required time and being paid the annual $500 plus training days.

This year however, things have not worked out quite so well. I have fulfiled my part of the bargain, completing the aforementioned tests plus training and yet still have not been paid.

The $500 that is supposed to be paid on the anniversary of my transfer has still not occurred more than six months after it should have gone through. Nor has the payment for the training days which were completed in May been paid, four months after the fact.

I have raised the matter with the orderly room at my sponsoring unit on several occasions to no avail.

J. Tennant

Maj J. Cassie SO2 OPS PMGP SCMA replies:

AIEF personnel are paid a liability allowance of $1000, payable to the member on transfer to the AIEF. Members also receive an efficiency allowance of $500, payable to the member at the completion of each year of service, during which the member must successfully complete the annual training obligation.

Members of the AIEF receive GRes rates of pay and the appropriate allowances for the days they attend during the annual reporting period.

If a member transferred to the AIEF on February 28, 2000, any payment for training conducted in the calender year 2001 would not be due for payment until February 28, 2002 (on the anniversary of the members transfer).

All Annual Training Reports for the member have been actioned by SCMA and have been sent to DEFPAY for payment of the efficiency allowance.

Payment for TY2000 was paid in September 2000, (but was not due until February 2002). Payment of ARTS is administered by the sponsor unit, and must be followed up within the unit.

If a member of the AIEF is not getting adequate service from their sponsor unit or the AIEF Cell at SCMA, they should in the first instance, approach the appropriate chain of command to rectify any problems.

Any ARA soldier contemplating discharge should always consider transferring to one of the forces of the Army. This provides the soldier with great opportunities in career and personal development, promotion, training and possible deployments (not to mention the flexibility to return to the ARA in the future).

The benefits of transferring far outweigh any administrative glitch that should be acknowledged and rectified where it exists.

Further information on AIEF can be located in AOSI 24/93 dated December 21, 1993 The Australian Army Individual Emergency Force.