IN LINE: Personnel are managed through Navy’s Divisional System.

Volume 49, No. 21, November 16, 2006

The Navy’s Divisional System, well regarded as a powerful personnel management system, is essential to our sailors’ wellbeing and ability to provide continued and sustained service.

Concerned that there was a drop in the standard of support provided for sailors borne in fleet units when posted to other commands, the Maritime Commander has released Personnel Memorandum 02/06 directed to all Fleet Commanding Officers.

The Maritime Commander expects that all Fleet Units have a process in place to capture outstanding issues like transfer of category requests, outstanding drug or alcohol referrals, and compassionate or personal issues, to facilitate a thorough handover of personnel issues when sailors post ashore or to other units.

The old-fashioned Divisional Officer’s report on a sailor’s posting out is one such tool.

A follow-up phone call is another.

It is often the transition period between sailors’ postings, or when they are on temporary loan to other units, when these issues slip through the cracks.

This creates delay which often impacts negatively on sailors.

Maritime Command is a community, and the positive input that a good Divisional Officer can have in fostering that sense of community is paramount.

If Divisional Officers are unsure about the best way to handle an issue or how to transfer it to a new Command, then the Fleet Personnel Officer, LEUT Dee Williams, can provide advice. She can be contacted on (02) 9359 4457 or dee.williams@defence.gov.au.

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