MSBS declares new categories

RANK	CATEGORY	EFFECTIVE
LS	Cook	July 22, 2002
LS	Police Coxwain	July 22, 2002
LS	Photographer	July 22, 2002

By SGT Jonathan Garland

Four new specified categories have been declared for MSBS Retention Benefit eligibility this year. The Navy’s leading seamen cooks, leading seamen naval police coxwains and leading seamen photographers join the list of employment categories eligible for the benefit.

Assistant Director - Entitlements CMDR David Francis said the list of specified categories was reviewed each year by each of the three services.

“They are selected on the basis of the category structure being such that there is a lower probability of its members reaching the minimum requisite rank [LCDR or PO] by the 15 years service point,” he said.

“Other members with reduced promotion prospects as a result of a Service-driven category change may also be declared eligible as inter-employment category members.”

These members are identified individually by the services, nominated in the Minister’s declaration and notified personally by staff of the Directorate of Entitlements.

Members should be aware that there is a fixed period in which they can make the election to receive the benefit.
This period can vary according to whether the member becomes eligible at the time of, or on a date after, the effective date of the Minister’s declaration.

Contact for further information is Pam Black on (02) 6266 3213 or pam.black@defence.gov.au or Jenny Flynn on (02) 6266 3227 or jenny.flynn@defence.gov.au.

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