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THE Directorate of Officer Career Management has started a process for the promotion of major to lieutenant colonel in which attendance at ACSC is not a prerequisite.
Director of Officer Career Management Col Fergus McLachlan said the Recognition of Professional Education (RPE) scheme had come about because the increased complexity and magnitude of Defence’s personnel and equipment needs had fuelled a requirement for specific areas of expertise among officers.
“To select and retain highly skilled specialist officers, DOCM-A has identified the need to develop a clear career path through to the senior levels,” Col McLachlan said.
“We recognise that many officers have developed their careers along specialised paths and that doing so has resulted in stepping outside their normal general-service-officer models. This sometimes results in them being less competitive for Command and Staff College selection and promotion beyond major.
“The RPE scheme will provide a career path for promotion to lieutenant colonel without following the route taken by more generalist officers.
“This scheme will provide additional career management processes that are robust and fair and support the career progression of highly skilled specialist officers.”
Director of the Army Technical Staff Officer Course, Col Rohan Boyer, said the RPE scheme’s Capability and Acquisition Qualified stream represented an important opportunity for higher-performing ATSOC graduates who might choose to stream.
“It recognises the rigorous nature of ATSOC. It also highlights the value Army places on both the ‘qtc’ qualification and the subsequent project and program leadership experience afforded by many technical staff positions,” he said.
An accreditation board and PAC was conducted by DOCM-A in late May to consider officers suitable for promotion under RPE. Another accreditation board and PAC will be conducted later this year. The business rules for this accreditation board and PAC are included on the DOCM-A web site.
Officers who believe they might meet RPE criteria should review the information located on the DOCM-A web site and are encouraged to contact their career advisers.
Candidates should note that the RPE (Stream) qualification recognises education and experience that is similar to, but not the same as, an ACSC qualification. It permits the promotion and employment of candidates within their selected stream.
FAQs
What streams are considered under the RPE scheme?
The two streams currently identified for RPE consideration are:
- Capability and Acquisition
- Military Personnel.
What are the prerequisites for consideration under the RPE scheme?
There are four key RPE criteria:
- Qualification: Officers will be required to have attained an appropriate qualification (generally at masters level) relevant to their selected stream.
- Experience: Officers will be required to demonstrate relevant experience through postings within the stream – usually a minimum of two years.
- Time in rank: Majors will need to meet the normal GSO time-in-rank provisions of five years. In 2007 the RPE PAC will review lieutenant colonels who are currently promoted LTP or Temp Prom, and employed within stream positions.
- Performance history: Officers will need to demonstrate a superior performance history and potential for the next rank.
Is RPE accreditation the same as completing staff college?
It should be noted by all concerned that the RPE (Stream) qualification recognises education and experience that is similar to, but not the same as, an ACSC qualification. Although it facilitates promotion to lieutenant colonel, employment of candidates will generally be limited to a specific stream.
Are reservists eligible for consideration under RPE?
RPE recognises a combination of strong performance, professional tertiary education and subsequent military experience in the relevant stream. Promotion is dependant on the availability of positions in the relevant stream. It is unlikely that many Reserve officers will have the opportunity to meet all these requirements. However, in occasional cases the scheme may be extended to selected Reserve officers who, for example, have previous ARA service or have completed extensive periods of CFTS.
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