By Cpl Alisha Carr
A SERIES of major changes relating to the Return of Service Obligation (ROSO) and Initial Minimum Periods of Service (IMPS) have been made after a recent review.

Maj Carl Webb, SO2 Personnel Policy, DGPERS-A, said the Army specifically addressed in-service transfer issues.

“The ‘Stay Army’ initiative has proven very effective and has produced a rise in the number of personnel opting for corps transfer over discharge,” he said.

“However, some are clearly using the in-service transfer option as resettlement training. They are applying for discharge at the first opportunity and clearly stating they had no intention of continuing to serve.

“Adding to this situation are feelings of inequity felt by some new recruits – some are questioning why their IMPS is up to three times longer than some in-service transfer members’ ROSO for the same IET course.”

He said two options were identified to address these issues.

“Either give the priority for IET course positions to new enlistees or align ROSO for in-service transfers in accordance with the IMPS for each trade.

“Option two was selected as it provides positions for genuine in-service transferees and effectively deals with the identified issues of inequity, supports the ‘Stay Army’ policy and allows for the planned sustainment of trades.”

A major change is ADFA entrants will now attract an IMPS, not a ROSO. The ADFA Honours program will attract a ROSO that will attrite concurrent with IMPS.

All pilots will continue to be administered under single-service arrangements, while Army SSO and GSO pilots have had their IMPS and ROSO aligned.

For other ranks, in-service transfer now attracts a ROSO of the same length as the IMPS allocated to that trade minus the duration of recruit and IET training.

ROSO begins on the day the member is qualified and begins performing the duties of his or her qualification.

The schedules are not backdated and are applicable to personnel who attract a ROSO or IMPS after November 1.

For information on these changes contact your career adviser at SCMA and DOCM-A.

• Detailed IMPS and ROSO schedules will be accessible shortly via the DEFWEB as part of DI(G) Pers 33-2 and DI(G) Pers 33-3.

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