CPOCIS
Andrew "Waz" Barr provides profile of his job as a Communications
and Information Systems Career Manager.
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Communications
and Information Systems Career Manager Andrew Barr has experienced
much since he entered the RAN in 1982.
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My
career in the RAN began on June 28, 1982. I was seven months out
of high school in Canberra and without a job.
Over the last 21 years I have served in HMA Ships and establishments
such as Harman, Perth, Hobart, Cerberus, Canberra, Kuttabul, Brisbane,
Success, Pyrmont, Cairns, Stuart and currently at DSCM.
Apart from the posting to Cairns, I do not consider myself “lucky”
for any of my previous postings as I chose all of them except
one, Cerberus. It was a result of promotion to LS.
So as far as career paths go, mine has been mostly my own doing.
Cairns without doubt was fantastic and a huge eye-opener for me,
as I had never served on a small boat before.
My view of small boats changed forever as I embarked on my first
MWVSTG work-up. I firmly believe (now) that boats’ sailors have
one of the most arduous routine of any sailor in today’s Navy.
When I applied for the CIS Career Managers (CM) position the only
thing I thought I could be certain of was an enormous amount of
undue stress, however, I have yet to feel being over stressed.
As a CM you are treated as a senior level manager. As the CIS
CM I have an input into not only their postings but also all the
other areas of CIS personnel management.
For example, re-enlistments. If a person has applied to re-enlist
then their Conditions of Service offer includes what rank and
skill grade I assess they should re-enter the Navy with.
I am involved with the processes for discharges, transfers of
category, temporary higher rank, long service leave, transfers
from the other services and what is probably considered the most
important, promotion numbers.
When promotions are due LS, PO, CPO) I am given current branch
numbers and where the category is short. I then make an assessment
of how many I think should be promoted in each rank and after
consultation with CAPT Steve Davies (DSCM) the number is either
increased or decreased.
As a CM you don’t just post people around the country and overseas,
you also work closely with the Promotions and Discharge cells.
Nearly every ship has a posting plan of some description and applying
this to an under-manned category can be tricky. A necessity of
Career Management is career visits.
CMs are required to visit each ship and establishment at least
once a year. To be successful at HR management you have to understand
and know whom you are dealing with and the career visits, along
with the garnishing, give you insight into the people you represent.
For more information visit our website at http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/dpedscm/dscm.htm.
