Letters to the Editor

Smooth moves deserve praise
Promotion queries shared
Method to system
Left out in cold after Antarctic service
Hard-working reserves
Sea King heroism worthy of award
Power struggle at Lavarack

WRITE TO US

Smooth moves deserve praise

1 JOINT Movement Group's role is to plan, implement, control and monitor movement of ADF forces and other approved elements associated with joint, combined and single-service activities to meet the objectives of the activity commander.

As a key enabler, the delivery of our product is highly dependant on timely advice of a requirement, clear communication of specific needs and any inhibiting factors, and accurate notification of Deployment Planning Data Sheets. I would like to congratulate the members of both the Australian Army Training Team Iraq 2 (AATTI-2) and B Coy, 3RAR, for their outstanding assistance in providing a seamless transition into and out of Iraq and the Solomon Islands earlier this year.

The excellent communication, timely provision of unit data and the follow-on liaison between my deployed JMCC and members of AATTI-2 provided excellent scope for the planning and execution of the movement of equipment and personnel within the theatre of operations. Similarly, 3RAR developed a highly professional relationship with its supporting JMCO and the resulting smooth coordination and execution of B Coy to the Solomon Islands is a testament to a well developed and extremely comprehensive staff effort.

Gp-Capt P. D. Brennan
Commander
1JM Gp

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Promotion queries shared

I WAS disappointed by the response to Maj Archer's letter (Army, April 21). I share some of his views about "new" PAC arrangements and of the other issues he raised.

Whether I've got it wrong or not, I perceive a more than passing similarity between the "new" system and that which existed before banding, and I perceive that the more important elements of Maj Archer's message may have been missed. I actually think he should be commended for his preparedness to question what is happening, not lambasted because he has done so.

I did not personally construe his comments as a "cheap shot" or "attack" against staff members of DOCM. It seemed pretty well focused at philosophy and processes to me - not at individuals.

However, to remove any doubt, I'm a non-DOCM staff member in a position to personally tell anyone who wants to listen, about the extraordinary work loads and pressures I've observed both current and previous DOCM staff carrying. I can also attest that they are almost never thanked for it. Isn't that ironic? With the highest proportion of formally trained leaders in the country in our organisation, you'd think we'd remember that the most effective form of reward is a simple thank you.

With that said I strongly support Maj Archer's call for a more decentralised promotion system and increased numbers of formally HR trained staff in the career management system. The latter was called for by the Regular Officer Development Committee well over 25 years ago and it still hasn't happened. That we have enjoyed the standard of career management we have despite this, is a testament to the high quality and sheer hard work of people in DOCM and of other strengths in our overall career management system.

Conversely, there are so many emerging opportunities in the labour market that Army must not just change but above all, it must develop the ability to do it very quickly, repeatedly. If not, our ability to cope will continue to degrade because of our reliance on the hard work and sacrifices of people who are already just about at their limits.

I do not feel that Army really understands the sheer scale of alternative employment opportunity that is rearing before our younger leaders. While I don't know about a "mass exodus", I'm particularly concerned that it doesn't take much at all to increase the push and pull factors that lead people to separate. We have been incredibly fortunate to enjoy more moderate separation levels in the last couple of years but cannot presume for a moment that this will last.

I rather hope that Maj Archer will write again. Better still, I hope that other officers who have either similar or differing views about career management will also write to express them, and that they will be overtly encouraged by their leaders to do so.

Lt-Col Luke Carroll
DSPPR
Campbell Park

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Method to system

I REFER to the issue raised by Maj Archer in his comments on promotion.

While I agree that it is frustrating to be ineligible for promotion due to red tape, I would also like to point out that we are still an Army and our "archaic" methods serve a purpose.

Maj Archer's comments are in line with an issue that frustrates all Defence personnel and civilian staff across the globe in any profession, and that is that we are often out-ranked. Hence we are told what to do by individuals who do not necessarily know what they are talking about nor are they the best person for the job.

However, in addressing and reforming this red tape, we must be aware of what implications have come about in the Public Service due to the push for "paper-qualified" executives. For example, police service morale is at an all-time low and the NSW Fire Bde has its first-ever commissioner from among the firefighter ranks.

With these and infinite other side-effects in mind, can we as Defence members afford to stand by and allow the floodgates to open, which could allow for preposterous concepts such as a Land Commander with no active service experience, or better yet ask soldiers to look up to and respect a "paper-qualified" general?

Owing to my version of military ideology, I am inclined to stick to the "archaic" method, just in case one day the world again is subjected to scenes describable only in world war battlefields. I would want to ensure that the Army stays a Defence Force and not develop further into an organisation that reflects the Public Service.

I would also like to add that my civilian work experience had me accountable from anywhere up to 20,000 people at any one time and I am not asking for three pips and a crown in return. I am "just a Digger" and proud of it; I turn up every day and frustratingly battle the forces that be, just like every other private soldier does.

With no malice intended, one would suggest that people must reflect upon their own credibility and themselves as a leader if they could not induce influence at the heights of a senior commissioned appointment.

Spr Michael Rhodes
IRR
Holsworthy

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Left out in cold after Antarctic service

I HATE to sound like a whinger, but I am one of about 400 serving and ex-officers and soldiers who cannot for the life of us understand why we have not been awarded the Australian Service Medal for our services in Antarctica as part of the now defunct ANARE detachments.

In 28 years of service I only had the opportunity to serve overseas twice, both times in Antarctica, but this is not recognised we are told as Antarctica is Australian sovereign soil and therefore does not hold an entitlement. If that logic is valid, may I ask if the British are going to recall all the campaign medals awarded to the personnel who fought on the Falkland Islands?

It is my understanding that the conditions for the award of the ASM state that it is to be overseas, non-warlike and arduous duty: well it doesn't get any more non-warlike, arduous or overseas than Antarctica.

Without denigrating the efforts of anyone who has been awarded the medal, I and others like me do wonder why it is that I can sit on my tush in Dili looking after orphans or on a Navy ship off the coast of Timor and never set foot on foreign soil and be recognised, then please explain to me why my service is any less valued for the essential and life-saving service it provided?

Maj G.M. Newman
RACMP
Canungra

Irene Wilson, Director Honour and Awards, replies:

The Australian Service Medal may only be awarded for service in or in connection with an operation that has been declared nonwarlike by the Governor-General.

Non-warlike operations are those military activities short of war like activities where there is a risk associated with the assigned task(s) and where the application of force is limited to self-defence. Casualties could occur but are not expected. The types of operations may include peacekeeping and hazardous activities above and beyond normal peacetime duty such as mine avoidance and clearance, weapons inspection and destruction and Defence Aid to the Civil Power.

ADF service which is specifically excluded is assistance in Defence Force Aid to the Civil Community, either in Australia or overseas, where that service is integrated with other Commonwealth, State or civilian agencies and does not require the use of uniquely military skills.

Such examples included relief or assistance as a result of natural disasters such as drought or bushfires, and assistance to Australian National Antarctic Research (ANAR) Expeditions.

As the ANAR expeditions were not declared non-warlike operations, there is no basis on which to make an award of the Australian Service Medal.

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Hard-working reserves

IT IS a pity that WO2 Haley (Army, April 7) only notices the few reserves who complete just the minimum six hours of work for their day's pay.

There are many more who work long hours, frequently drop in and do the odd hour for no pay, accept and deal with telephone calls at their civilian work place and at the end of the year, after the ARTS has run out, work voluntarily unpaid.

It is also unfortunate that there still persists a belief that reserves are better off because they pay no tax.

Let's look at a simple calculation. A reserve warrant officer receives $114.80 a day - only if six hours or more are worked. This is "in hand" as no tax is paid. An ARA warrant officer receives a base rate of $49,297 a year, which after tax (allowing for no deductions, which is an unlikely scenario) scenario) leaves him with $38,336, or $105.03 "in hand" a day, for every day of the year including weekends, public holidays and annual leave.

Remove the standard days off from the equation and the ARA warrant officer is in fact earning $162.44 (minimum) "in hand" a day worked, ie 41.5 per cent more than his reserve counterpart. Factor in the extra benefits such as free medical and dental treatment, superannuation, ERL, sick leave, long serve leave, subsidised housing and for some, a regular sports afternoon and that percentage is much higher.

I am thankful that in most units in which I have served, ARes and ARA have worked as a team, acknowledged the advantages that each offer and not spent their time clocking each other on and off.

Col Lesley Woodroffe
DAPA-B

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Sea King heroism worthy of award

BENAR Giawa and Motani Hareva are two largely unfamiliar names.

They should not be unfamiliar - they are the two men that rescued Cpl Scott Nichols and AB Shane Warburton from certain death. These two brave fellows dragged the survivors from the wreckage of the crashed Sea King helicopter on Nias Island.

Much has been stated in the media concerning awards for the unfortunate people killed in the disaster but not a word about these two simple villagers who showed great courage in the face of the biggest incident they had ever witnessed.

Surely, among the awards that Australia and the ADF can bestow, there must be one that fits the public recognition that Benar and Motani so richly deserve.

WO2 Jess Nowicki
DIntC
Canungra

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Power struggle at Lavarack

I HAVE a question to which I hope you can provide an answer, as it affects all the live-in members at Lavarack Barracks.

I have just moved into the Lavarack Barracks OR lines, and like all other live-in members I pay for utilities (water and electricity). At 0830hrs every day (apart from weekends) the power to the washing machines and dryers is turned off and you are unable to use them until 1600hrs - which is a pain, especially after PT.

I have asked why this happens and been told "it's policy up here". Whose policy is it? If I am paying to use a utility then surely I can use it whenever I want to?

I would assume that members in married quarters are able to use their washing machine whenever they want.

If it is the "policy" here, then why do the live-in members at Lavarack pay the same as live-in members at Randwick, where they can use the washers and dryers whenever they want?

Maybe all of the live-in members at Lavarack should be reimbursed? If not, we should be at least able to use them [washing machines and dryers] whenever we want - after all, we are paying for it.

Pte G. Field
Lavarack Barracks

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Neil Andrews, A/Regional Manager CSIG North Queensland, replies:

Defence is committed to reducing its annual energy usage and, in line with this, CSIG in North Queensland has introduced a number of strategies to meet energy reduction targets.

Reducing electrical energy usage serves two purposes: first, it assists Defence in achieving greenhouse targets and, second, it helps keep Defence's annual energy bill at acceptable levels.

Washing machines and dryers are high energy-users. At Lavarack Barracks, laundry and other nonessential power supplies are automatically cut to the permanent Living-in Accommodation (LIA) between 0900 and 1600hrs each working day to reduce electrical loading during peak load times for the barracks. This helps keep the barracks power levels lower than they would otherwise be and assists in avoiding significant monetary penalties levied by our power company for higher power usage.

To explain this further, the model used by our power supplier to determine what we pay for electricity at Lavarack is such that if for any part of the electricity- billing period we draw power above a particular level, we are billed at a higher rate for the next 12 months. This can make a significant difference to our total annual power bill.

While one would expect that the energy usage in the LIA during working hours would be minimal, and that cutting power to washing machines and dryers would make only a marginal difference to the total barracks power load, the measure is only one of a raft of power reduction strategies that in-aggregate make a very real difference.

Notwithstanding any of this, we will shortly be reassessing our strategies for achieving energy reductions at Lavarack Barracks and the local policy of cutting power to laundries in the permanent LIA during working hours will be reviewed at that time.

WRITE TO US

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Send letters to: The Editor, Army newspaper, R8-LG-037, Russell Offices, Canberra, ACT 2600; fax (02) 6265 6690 or email: armynews@defencenews.gov. au (note this is not an internal email address and therefore requires Sec: Unclassified in the subject line when sending from a DRN terminal)

The opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not represent the views of the editor or the Army.