Best approach to getting a posting
Volume 11, No. 47, July 13, 2006
By Capt Duncan Price

THERE seems to be some confusion between individuals and units about how members should convey to SCMA their desire for a certain posting.
This confusion seems to be centred around when to use an Application for Re-posting, Retention, Corps Transfer or Re-allocation (PE166) proforma or ADF Employment Preferences and Restrictions (AD148) proforma.

Retention
Application for retention can only be made in response to a posting order. You can only be retained in a unit if SCMA intends to post you out of that unit.
To inform your Career Manager (CM) that you want to remain at your current unit/locality before you are posted, use an AD148. If you are dissatisfied with your posting order and you wish to be retained in your unit/locality, use a PE166.

Re-posting
Application for re-posting is similar to application for retention as it is in response to a posting order. If you wish to have your posting order changed, use the PE166. The PE166 should also be used to be posted out-of-cycle for any personal reason.
If you haven’t received a posting order, but are due, or would like to be posted at the end of the year, use the AD148.

Compassionate posting
Application for compassionate posting can be made at any time using the PE166. A compassionate posting is to allow an individual time to resolve/improve their personal circumstances. A compassionate posting informs the gaining unit that a member has been posted under compassionate circumstances. Typically a compassionate posting is only for 12 months. Members whose circumstances have no chance of being resolved in 12 months are unlikely to be granted a posting.

The AD148 and the PE166 are intended for different purposes and initiate greatly different staff action at SCMA.

• The AD148 is an excellent career management tool that allows CMs to correlate the member’s preferences and the needs of the Service during the posting planning cycle.
  
• The PE166 should only be used after receiving a posting order with which you are dissatisfied or when requesting an out-of-cycle posting.
  
• Using a PE166 to convey information that should be detailed on an AD148 does not achieve the same outcome and can cause unnecessary frustration for the member and their unit staff.

Getting the right message to your CM in a timely and appropriate manner will improve your chances of securing the posting you want.