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Advancing up the ranks
By LCDR Antony Underwood
Volume 50, No. 10, June 14, 2007 |
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WELCOME: Commanding Officer HMAS Harman, CMDR Nick Youseman, opens the door to the Senior Sailor’s Mess for PO John Tootell to be welcomed in by WOCIS Dave Hellier.
Photo: POPH David Connolly |
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POCIS John Tootell became one of the early beneficiaries of the Navy’s new advanced promotion scheme when he was made up from leading hand at a recent HMAS Harman captain’s table.
Under the new scheme, highly suitable and motivated sailors can be promoted without serving the mandatory ‘time in rank’ – a minimum of four years, as it has been, for promotion from LS to PO.
PO Tootell’s promotion led a total of eight, ranging from leading seaman to seaman, confirmed with presentations by CO HMAS Harman, CMDR Nick Youseman.
“This is a very happy day and a special occasion in the lives and careers of the eight people standing before me,” CMDR Youseman said.
He told PO Tootell that the transition from junior to senior sailor was “a significant milestone in your career”.
“Your duties will substantially increase and subsequently will influence the discipline, efficiency and overall morale of not only your subordinates but the RAN as a whole,” he said. “Petty officers are members of the company of senior sailors and are promoted on merit through their proven possession of a high degree of professional knowledge and leadership qualities.”
PO Tootell had a head start as a candidate for advanced promotion – “deemed ready without seniority”.
He first joined the RAN in June 1987 as a signalman and discharged in 1995 after serving as a leading seaman for four years.
In 2002 POCIS Tootell rejoined the RAN as a recruit, communication and information systems operator (the successor to the signalman and radio operator categories).
Fast-tracked through RAN Communications School at HMAS Cerberus to meet the manning requirements of the fleet, PO Tootell was posted to HMAS Success.
He was awarded 18 months seniority on promotion to AB because of his previous service as an LS. He’d been a kellick for “two and a bit years” when he received his most recent posting.
“I really enjoy the work at DEFCAMSAUS here in Canberra,” he said after receiving his certificate of promotion. |
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