The RAN is to produce a public information booklet telling why Australia has a navy and how that service contributes to the nation's security.

CAPT James Goldrick from the Seapower Centre is writing the Navy doctrine document planned for publishing next month.

It will go to Australian and overseas communities and help naval personnel describe to family members, friends and community members the RAN doctrine.

The Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, spoke of the document when outlining the outcomes of a Navy Senior Leadership Team (NSLT) conference on Tomorrow's Navy.

In attendance were all Admirals, most Commodores and the four FEG manager Captains.
Prime objectives of the meeting were to determine the tasks needed to deliver Tomorrow's Navy, to develop a clear sense of leadership and common purpose within the senior team, to agree how the program of change should be rolled out to the Navy and to clarify the role and relationships of each element of the new Navy.

"I am satisfied that these objectives were achieved and that the senior leadership team is fully committed to leading our family towards the Tomorrow's Navy vision," VADM Shackleton said.

"Of course, that is not enough. Every member of the Navy family must understand the direction of the course being shaped, the uncharted nature of the waters we navigate and the final destination.

"Everyone must keep a good lookout for the safety of the ship and to report quickly and clearly any dangers to safe passage."

"We are all in the same boat," VADM Shackleton said.

"To ensure that understanding the senior leadership team will be briefing each and every one of you on the outcomes. If you are not briefed or do not understand where we are going, talk to your immediate senior leader or let me know. It is just too important and everybody has a place.

"The conference was structured around workshops to allow the NSLT to gain a thorough understanding of their roles in the change program we have embarked upon.

"Many attending the conference were from outside the Navy group. However they are still part of the family and need to understand how the new Navy will work.

"They must be able to explain to those of you outside the Navy group what is going on and help in their own way."

VADM Shackleton said it became clear to him during the conference that confusion existed between Tomorrow's Navy Program (TNP) and the project team he set up to implement the change which was also called "TNP".

"In my mind TNP is the overarching vision of the future that we all share. It consists of many parts, of which organisational structure is but one element.

"Accordingly, I have changed the project team title to the Directorate of Navy Change Program (NCP) with its accountability direct to Deputy Chief Navy.

"On the subject of titles there was much discussion on appropriate nomenclature for the force element groups (FEG) managers.

"I have made my decision with the details contained later in this message.

"I will send a further signal in early March to advise you of all the new organisational arrangements that will become effective on March 13," he said.

"I am aware that there is considerable stress in the workforce as we struggle to keep pace with today's tempo with an ever shrinking workforce.

"The NSLT is very conscious that as we transition to the new Navy utmost care must be taken to not compromise our operational ability.

"There has to be a contract of trust between the senior leadership of the Navy and all Navy people which grows from our mutual commitment to have a better Navy. We will now set about advising you of the details of the plan through the chain of command."

VADM Shackleton said the key message emerging from the conference were:
"We must chart our course for the new Navy in a way that the whole Navy family and broader Australian community can understand.

"We will be telling you more about this over the coming weeks.

"Some of the key actions to chart our course are that CDRE Rowan Moffitt, the Director General Capability Plans and Performance (DGNCPP) in NHQ, will produce a Navy plan by the end of June which will provide all the details of our passage for the next five years.

"The Navy plan will have a number of supporting documents including FEG master plans and strategic workforce plans which will be developed by the end of the year."

CN told of the Navy doctrine document which would be widely distributed.

Of the need for leadership throughout the RAN, VADM Shackleton said: " Strong leadership at all levels of the Navy is fundamental. Each of us must demonstrate our commitment to strong leadership and get on with it. We have talked enough, it is now time for action."
"RADM Lord has recently introduced into Maritime Command a slogan which I believe captures the essence of what we are about and should be applied across Navy."

The slogan is PEPSEE:
  * Pride- in what we do and in who we are.
  * Enjoyment in doing what we do.
  * Professionalism in discharging our responsibilities.
  * Safety of our shipmates and ourselves.
  * Effectiveness by doing the right thing, first time, every time.
  * Efficiency in the use of resources.

"The focus must be strong leadership at all levels. To ensure those skills are available at all levels CAPT Mike Smith, Lead Training Authority Leadership and Management, will be rolling out over the next six months a Navy leadership and values' program similar to a very successful program which has been used in Support Command Australia."

Chief of Navy continued: " We need to do better at promoting the Navy to our nation. Our image is very important and you all have a key role to play in making sure our reputation both internally and externally is enhanced. Be in no doubt that our Navy is judged by the actions of each and every one of us. We each have a responsibility to the rest of the Navy family and we must take that responsibility seriously."

He said a Navy strategic communications plan was approved and released by DCN.

"It is more than public relations. It is all about communications both internal and external.

"A small team has been established in NHQ led by CMDR Mike Noonan who will oversee the implementation of the plan and will provide support where needed.

"The NSLT is committed to implementing the strategy across Navy. Get interested in the plan, get involved, it is your image, it is our reputation."

"Be in no doubt that we have let go all lines and are now under way.

"Like a newly commissioned ship we must check our watch and station bill to ensure that everyone knows where they fit into the team and what their responsibilities are.

"There will be some confusion, some will be unsure of their part of the ship, but that is OK, that is normal and will be sorted out.

"Throughout this evolution though the ship must remain under way, on track and safe."
CN said the NSLT has developed an action plan or "to do list" which will act as the guide for the implementation of Tomorrow's Navy.

The list will be maintained and overseen by the director of navy Change Program (DNCP), CAPT Simon Woolrych, in NHQ. Ph. 02 62669729 or lower case simon.woolrych@cbr.defence.gov.au
"The NSLT have individual and collective accountability to me for execution of the plan.The 'to do' list contains the actions needed to develop Tomorrow's Navy. It assigns responsibility for the tasks and defines the dates by which the actions are to be completed.

"The NSLT will be driving forward to achieve these milestones. They in turn will need your full support to make it happen.

"The 'to do' list is obviously large and therefore is best accessed electronically via the Navy web site :http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/navytomorrow and the internet at http:www.navy,gov.au2-ashore/TNP
"If you do not have access to these networks then get on to CAPT Woolrych and make some alternative arrangements."

CN continued: "In an environment where people, time and money are critical to success we must make quality decisions faster and implement them more quickly. The NSLT understands that greater delegation is a key element of strong leadership and smart management.

"Effective delegation leads to more challenging work and a better work-life balance for everyone and is something we must do better.

"In shore positions I am expecting commodores and captains to be the driving forces for change of how we do our business. They are charged with delivering the biggest parts of the action.

There was considerable discussion among the senior leadership group on appropriate titles for the systems commander and the force element managers. The challenge was to find appropriate titles that reflect the wide-ranging responsibilities that the positions carry.

"I have consulted with DCN and MC and have decided that the titles of Systems Commander and FEG managers will be:

Systems Commander to be known as .Commander Australian Navy Systems Command (COMAUSNAVSYSCOM)
Surface combatants. Commander Australian Navy Surface Combatants Group (COMAUSNAVSURFGRP)
Amphibious and afloat support. Commander Australian Navy Amphibious and Afloat Support Group. (COMAUSNAVAMPHIBASGRP)
Mine warfare. Commander Australian Navy Mine Warfare Group.
(COMAUSNAVMWGRP)
Hydrographic. Commander Australian Navy Hydrographic Group. (COMAUSNAVHYDROGRP)
Aviation. Commander Australian Navy Aviation Group (COMAUSNAVAIRGRP)
Submarines. Commander Australian Navy Submarine Group. ( COMAUSNAVSUBGRP)
Patrol boats. Commander Australian Navy Patrol Boat Group. (COMAUSNAVPBGRP)

"I base this on the need for those in and out of the Navy to have a clear understanding of how important these groups are and what they do.

"Their title needs to reflect that collective status and be capable of being understood by military and civilians alike. I am satisfied that these titles achieve that goal."

CN pointed out that "com" does not confer operational command authority to FEG managers.
"FEGs are part of Maritime Command and no delegation of MC's authority is implied or made by this naming convention. They are accountable to me for their responsibilities which are contained in directives issued by both DCN and MC."
VADM Shackleton said additional roles had been assigned to two group leaders.
"CDRE Clarke, COMAUSNAVSUBGRP will become the Senior Naval Officer WA (SNOWA) with responsibilities to me for representational and overall navy matters.
"In the same way CAPT Christian, COMAUSNAVPBGRP) will also be known as Senior Naval Officer Northern Australia (SNONA)."