Project Discovery…CDRE Stapleton, right, discusses the proposed changes with CDRE Les Pataky, left, and CMDR Stafford. Picture: ABPH Damian Pawlenko.

The Tomorrow's Navy project will bring about significant changes to the Maritime Command structure and in what the command does.

To co-ordinate these changes the MC, RADM J.R. Lord, has established Project Discovery. The Deputy MC, (CDRE Stapleton, is the project manager and CMDR Peter Stafford, recently XO of HMAS ADELAIDE, heads the Project Discovery team.

The first major task of Project Discovery is the transition of people and responsibilities from the existing Maritime Command to new Force Element Groups (FE0s) and Systems Command (SYSCOM). The FEGs will be part of Maritime Command.

The FEG managers will be responsible to the Chief of Navy to manage their overall FEG capability and to the MC for providing the ships, submarines and aircraft needed to conduct operations and exercises. The seven FEGs are surface combatants, aviation, submarine, afloat support and amphibious, hydrography, patrol boat and mine warfare.

Now for some commonly asked questions that relate to you.

When will I start to see these changes? In accordance with CN's directive all the FEGs will open their doors for day to day work on March 13 2000. By December 31 2000 the new organisation arrangements will be fully in place. It will take some time for all the positions within each FEG to be filled. As they mature they will take on increased responsibility. The MC has made the full resources of Maritime Command available to the FEGs to help them take on their additional responsibilities.

How will these changes affect me? The transition plan is still being finalised by the Project Discovery team - so please don't make any assumptions about location changes. The MC has insisted that the normal posting notification will be provided to people who may be required to move locality.

Where can I go for more information about the changes or Project Discovery? The Project Discovery team operates from Level 6 in MHQ and can be contacted on (02) 9563 4051. The team is only too happy to answer any questions people may have so feel free to drop in or give it a call. Alternatively you can visit the MHQ page on the TNP intranet website at defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/navytomorrow/ or internet at www.navy.gov.au/2_ashore/tnp/ [site no longer available].