Preferential deal: what’s involved

BURIED within DPA is a small section that manages all airmen executive action issues – Personnel Airmen-Administration (PAADMIN).

An important responsibility for the cell is to consider Preferential Treatment (PT) applications. PT is a mechanism that temporarily shields a member from his or her normal posting obligations owing to compassionate or compelling personal circumstances.

On receipt of a PT application, a PAADMIN staff member will be assigned as the case manager for the applicant.
The application is forwarded to the relevant career manager to see whether a posting to the desired location is possible as a service requirement. If not, the case manager will then consider the application on its merits and prepare a formal report, making a recommendation on whether PT should be approved.

A higher authority within DPA then reviews the case manager’s report. The application, reports and higher review are then forwarded to the delegate for decision. Once a decision is made, the case manager will notify the member’s CO, initially by phone, then by message. A letter will be sent to the member.

In assessing PT applications, PAADMIN staff can only consider the information that is provided to them as part of the application.

Personnel considering submitting a PT application should provide as much information as possible to ensure that DPA staff obtain the full picture. Also, be honest – DPA staff will investigate any claims to verify that a particular circumstance does exist.

It is also important that you consider all the options that might be applicable to your case (DPA staff will) and state why a particular option is not viable – keeping in mind that a less desired option might still be considered suitable by PAADMIN staff.

Finally, be realistic in your expectations. DI(AF) PERS 3-1, Annex B provides clear guidelines on what constitutes a PT circumstance and, although all PT applications are considered on their own individual merits, they are considered against the criteria specified in this instruction.

The key point when using this avenue is to prepare a thorough case that carefully addresses the requirements of the order. For more information on PT, contact your ADMINO or administrative support section.

Postings under way
WITH promotion boards complete for 2003, DPO-AF career managers are starting visits and discussions with commanders to assist with end-of-year posting plots.
Officers are encouraged to ensure that their Employment Preferences and Restriction (EPAR) Forms are up to date before the DPO-AF base visits.

PMET obligations
Officers can only be promoted “provisional” for a finite period, and professional military education and training (PMET) requirements must be met to permit substantive promotion.
Provisional promotees are encouraged to visit the PMET web site – http://intranet.defence.gov.au/ RaafWeb/Sites/PMET/ – to confirm their PMET obligations.

Jobs on offer
The DPO-AF web site now includes details of the following jobs on offer in 2004:

• Command positions due to rotate at the end of 2003.
  
• Overseas postings available for 2004 that will be staffed in competition with all eligible applications. Interested Officers are encouraged to visit the DPO-AF web site, and submit applications by the specified cut-off dates.
  
• Rotational positions available for RAAF officers in 2004. Interested officers should contact their respective career managers before the end of June 03.
  

The DPO-AF site will be frequently updated over the next few months. It can be found at http://intranet.defence.gov.au/raafweb/Sites/DPO/.

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