Letters
to the Editor
 Mysteries
of meal rates
I HAVE
just received the new casual meal rates for service messes, (ADF Pay
and Conditions-Annex 7.C, Part 4, Casual Meal Charges) to take effect
January 1, 2004, after reading, it has re-raised several questions on
the rationale behind the rates.
The new
rates are as in the accompanying table.
As the
Catering Officer of 1 Bde, I have had many questions put to me on the
rationale behind the cost of casual meal rates that I believe deserve
answers.
- Why is
lunch more expensive than dinner when generally a soup or entrée
is served with the evening meal and not with lunch?
- Why is
the lunch nearly half the price of dinner for a civilian?
- Why are
the meal rates different for the Sergeants' Mess and the Officers' Mess
when they both receive the same standard of rations and service?
- Why does
it cost the same for a civilian to eat in the Officers' or Sergeants'
Mess when ADF rates differ?
- Lunch
is approximately 30 per cent more expensive than breakfast for ADF members,
why is the difference 6 per cent for non-Defence members?
- The rate
of $32.10 for a evening meal in the Officer/Sergeants' Mess for non-Defence
civilians, eg, service spouse, is seen to be extremely high and does
not promote attendance at the messes for families as this is out of
reach of most Defence personnel to spend on an evening meal. How is
this figure derived?
-
The high
non-Defence civilian rates make no allowance for children accompanying
a service member in the mess.
-
Is it
possible to establish rates for children, perhaps a sliding scale
based on age?
Capt
Scotty Fryer
Catering Officer
HQ1Bde, Robertson Barracks, NT
Editor's Note: this letter was submitted on December 19 to CSIG for
a response to accompany Capt Fryer's letter. As yet, no response has
been received.
AASAM's
20th
THE article
on AASAM 2003 in Army Edition 1089, carried with it a flavour of "they
got it wrong in the past", by highlighting that it is now a "...
competition with real training outcomes, as opposed to conducting a
competition for the sake of it".
AASAM was
born in 1984, at Malabar in Sydney, as a three-day rifle-only event,
and scaled up to a major international all-weapons event for the 1988
Australian Bicentennial - with about 600 competitors.
Those who
were involved in those early days had similar purpose in mind, and in
common with the present-day goals of those who now run it - improved
marksmanship standards and training to shoot well under stress.
Those involved
repeatedly recognised that events had to be "modernised",
but one cannot run prior to learning how to walk.
Instead
of brick-bats and self-glorifying references, it's nice to sometimes
reflect on the efforts of those who hounded the Director General of
Army Training, the Chief of Operations, the Director of Infantry, and
the Directorate General of Operations and Plans, and even "hired"
companies of support soldiers by donating to Regimental funds.
Oddly enough,
not many of those early organisers came from the ranks of Infantry.
Most were JNCO to WO, with a few officers Major and below.
However,
to read in the same article that AASAM "... is an excellent training
vehicle and testing ground ..." means that the foundations to build
on were certainly well established, and those who were there in 1984
can have some self-satisfying pride in that.
One hundred
years ago, Wilbur and Orville Wright might not have got it right by
today's standards - though they're certainly recognised as pioneers
in their field.
It may
have bypassed the present-day organisers, but 2003 was the 20th AASAM
- quite a milestone for an "excellent training vehicle" that
started with nothing but volunteer organisers and had no official support.
Bert Bowden
Inaugural Chairman AASAM Committee 1984-1986, Chief Range Officer AASAM
1984-1989 (ex-WO1 RA Sigs)
For the 1984 AASAM Crew
Help
someone and get a 'rocket'
DEFENCE
psychs are sometimes asked how they cope with frequently listening to
people's problems.
Well, I
mostly do my job because I like to positively influence people.
However,
there is something that I find infinitely more frustrating than listening
to any sort of problem.
Something
that I believe is damaging to the rest of the ADF in terms of morale
and, ultimately, retention and capability.
So, I have
taken the step of doing that which I have recommended to many - I'll
write a letter about it.
This letter
is about a morale killer I shall call the butt-covering syndrome, if
the same/similar term hasn't already been coined already.
Now, this
term doesn't apply to all leaders. However, there are those who are
concerned about making themselves look good, often at the expense of
common sense, or common decency.
The example
I will now give relates to the common decency side of the equation.
Last year,
when I was serving in 1 Pysch Unit, I came to the assistance of a member.
It was
a serious issue and I could have easily passed the buck to another psych,
but I ran with the issue and a chain of events followed.
Now, I
felt pretty happy about what I did, like many of us I felt that I had
gone a few extra yards. And, even better (a tip for young players),
the soldier concerned thanked me sincerely at the time. And that was
that, or so I thought.
The phone
rang after lunch on the same day and it was the member's superior officer.
My initial
thought was that maybe they had called to clarify an issue, or even
thank me.
Well, they
actually gave me a "rocket" (stern criticism) for not giving
them a courtesy call after the other calls I had made to assist the
care of the member.
Without
going into details (for confidentiality reasons) I then gave an explanation.
This explanation
has been validated by a number of my peers as perfectly reasonable.
However
the officer wasn't happy with that explanation, was, in fact, clearly
annoyed that I didn't call them ASAP, and certainly didn't thank me
for the efforts I had made. Efforts that, arguably, could have helped
save a life.
On the
other hand, a courtesy call to the officer was not a life or death situation.
Particularly
when everything was already under control (and they were just about
to be informed by their own staff, and after a full assessment could
be made).
Now I don't
particularly have a problem with the officer wanting an immediate phone
call, if that is what they want.
But it
was how they went about it. I would not be writing this letter now,
or spent the time discussing the issue with my boss and a peer, had
they gone about it differently.
In short,
if they had been polite, and not been irrational about the importance
of a courtesy call in this particular situation.
No wonder
then, when the young digger I had assisted thanked me for a second time
later that day, I thought to myself, "I hope you go for commissioning
one day".
Maj John McGrogan
ARTC
Blamey Barracks, Kapooka NSW
Editor's Note: This letter was submitted when Maj McCrogan was working
at 1 Pysch Unit, Randwick Barracks
No
recognition
AFTER serving
13 years in the Army, mostly in the infantry and the past three years
in recruiting I have had a wonderful career in the ADF.
I equate
leaving the Army as to losing a very good friend. Unfortunately no-one
from my service has found the time to personally thank me for my time
and efforts over 13 years in the Army and to wish me all the best in
the future.
As I discharge
today it feels quite hollow that the last person to see me off is a
civilian (who seemed embarrassed by it also, although did an outstanding
job ).
I hope
in the future, members of the Army, regardless of rank or time in the
Army are given the send off and recognition they deserve.
Sgt Jason Daniel
DFRC
Canberra
A
British curiosity
The rank
of WO3 was not some Scottish peculiarity ("An unusual rank",
Maj Ray Doust, Army, February 12).
It was
adopted by the British Army in 1938, reputably an enthusiasm of the
Secretary of State for War that was not entirely shared by the military
members of the Army Council.
It was
abolished in 1946, about the same time as Lance Sergeants were abolished
in the British Army except for the Guards.
Maj Doust's
letter also referred to PSM. After digging into Kings Regulations 1940,
I realised it stands for Platoon Sergeant Major.
Nigel Evans
Castle Hill NSW
Getting
the correct info
I NOTED
with interest the letter by WO2 Jason Thies [Army, December 18] regarding
his difficulties with his recent relocation, and, the usual response
by DHA about "being committed to providing ADF members and their
families with a quality of service ..."
It is one
thing to be committed, it is another to deliver.
I recently
moved interstate from Canberra to Sydney and was initially informed
by a DHA removal consultant that I would be entitled to overflow storage.
The refrigerator
recess in the new apartment did not accommodate my fridge.
Given this
approval, I then proceeded to purchase a smaller fridge for my new Sydney
residence assured that I would not have to worry about paying for storage
in Sydney.
To my frustration,
this verbal approval was rescinded within a matter of days and I was
told in no uncertain terms that I would have to meet the cost of storage,
and that it was my problem because being a single member I have the
choice of where I live.
Having
bought the fridge and signed the lease there was no option left for
me but to continue with the move.
So it was
with much interest that I read Mr Adrian Wellspring's response to WO2
Thies [Army, December 18] when he stated that overflow storage is an
entitlement when " ... items that cannot reasonably be accommodated
in the members residence .... where the obvious wall recess is too small
..."
It now
begs the questions from me, was I given the correct information from
DHA?
And, as
WO2 Thies suggests in his letter, how many other junior service personnel
suffer unnecessarily as the result of misinformation.
Capt Paul Smith
HQAST
Potts Point,NSW
Adrian Wellspring, Director Housing and Removals Policy, responds:
The member has raised concerns regarding the advice he received in relation
to his entitlement to storage.
The storage
entitlement for Members without Dependants is outlined in the Pay and
Conditions Manual, Chapter 4, 4.1.59.
This policy
clearly states that if the member elects to live out and is entitled
to full rental assistance, then the member is entitled to long-term
storage of their furniture and effects that cannot be accommodated in
their privately rented dwelling.
The member's
case has been reviewed by the Defence Housing Authority, and DHA has
advised the member of his correct entitlement to storage.
DHA has
taken the opportunity to improve the knowledge of staff at all Housing
Management Centres.
DHA welcomes
constructive feedback from its clients and encourages ADF members to
directly contact their local Housing Management Centre in order to resolve
any issues relating to the processing of their relocation.
Bold
boast
I READ
with interest Sgt Southern's letter re maintenance and aircrew issues
of the C130 Fleet.
As an ex
member of 3RAR, with an association with the C130 and Caribou squadrons
going back many years, I can attest to the professionalism and dedication
of the aircrews and maintenance personnel of those squadrons.
I am sure
that any frequent traveller with our national airline will agree that
very few Qantas flights get off the ground on time, with not infrequent
cancellations of flights for "maintenance reasons".
I would,
however caution Air-Cdre Evans' about making claims that "... the
Army can trust my aircrew to deliver them (bullets) in the face of enemy
action".
I seem
to recall from my military history studies a certain Hermann Goering,
head of the Luftwaffe, making a similar claim to the besieged defenders
of Stalingrad in 1942.
Barney (David) Gosman
Land 134 Resident Project Officer (NZ)
C/- Oscmar International Limited
Mt Eden, Auckland NZ
No
more 'build a bridge'
CPL Schmidt,
26 Tpt Sqn, has decided he is tired of the "whingers". Though
I accept that some of the "gripes" we read about could have
been resolved through normal chain of command, Cpl Schmidt needs to
understand that just accepting our lot and "getting on with it"
has led us to many of the problems we now deal with.
Too often
I have heard the old "build a bridge" comment. That attitude
simply allows bad policy to continue unchecked.
Where Defence
personnel, either as a whole or as an identified group, are financially,
personally or administratively disadvantaged or treated in a manner
that is unacceptable, we all have a responsibility to speak out.
Being in
the ADF does not mean that I am required to put up with sub-standard
treatment on admin or personnel issues.
Nor does
it mean that I am required to simply accept policy that would be unnacceptable
to those making it (generally people who will never be subjected to
the demands and constraints of service life).
That was
not one of the conditions of service I accepted on enlistment.
Sgt Darryl King
Defence Force School of Signals
Macleod Vic
Here's
a bright idea
I'VE just
read the results of the latest WRA. I can see some clear inefficiencies
in the system and would like to suggest remedies.
A great
deal of effort is expended to research and submit the WRA periodically.
I cast no aspersions on those who struggle mightily in this area. The
net result for ADF members is, however, an increase in MQ rent.
Should
we not short circuit the system?
Lets just
allocate say 3.5 per cent as the annual increase in MQ rents and pay
that direct to DHA. DHA can then claim this is part of the Defence contribution
to MQ rents and demand a further increase in the member contribution,
to continue their quest for a 50/50 Defence/tennant rental arrangement.
As an administrative
process it would simply require an adjustment at the UPR office for
MQ rent and remove the burden of preparation of WRA submissions.
In the
end, the result for members will be the same.
WO2 K.R. Davies
4CSSB
Broadmeadows, VIC
Information
sought
I AM currently
doing research into the awarding of the C.F. Marks Award for outstanding
service to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps (RAAMC).
If any
current or former member has been the recipient of this award, or have
any information pertaining to the historical background of C.F. Marks
and the award itself including photographs, written commendations, etc,
then your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
It is anticipated
that this research will be compiled into a database and made available
to award recipients and the RAAMC for historical purposes.
Federal Agent Paul Johnstone (ex-RAAMC)
Australian Federal Police
paul.johnstone@afp.gov.au
Ask
the Chief
Would you
like to ask CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy a question? It could be about acquisitions
or uniform, operational tempo or a general welfare issue.
As part
of hearing soldiers' views, CA has agreed to start Ask the Chief
in Army newspaper.
He wants
to know your questions so he can answer them in a future edition as
part of his look back at what the Army has achieved and been part of
in 2003.
As with
Letters to the Editor, it is the right of all soldiers to ask CA a question
through Ask the Chief in Army without using the chain of command.
Submit
your questions in e-mail form to armynews@defencenews.gov.au
with "ask the chief" in the subject line.
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