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Priorities
for 4J(3) funds
By
Leesha Furse
THE
4J(3) funding level of 50 staffyears will continue this financial
year because of funding pressure brought about partially by low
separation rates in the Permanent Air Force and the impact this
has had on the Air Force’s Average Funded Strength (AFS).
The officer separation rate is about 6 per cent and the airman
separation rate about 6.5 per cent. This historic low is well
below the expected levels and is placing pressure on the AFS.
The low level of 4J(3) funding has been introduced as one measure
to try to redress the AFS issue.
DCAF has determined six staffing priorities for 4J(3) this
financial year:
- Air
Force flying safety and positions primarily focused on occupational
health and safety;
- Units
conducting initial employment and aircraft conversion training,
and postgraduate training directly related to generating Air Force
capability;
- Positions
within AFHQ, FEG HQs and Capability Development Group responsible
for managing current and future Air Force capabilities;
- Staffing of rotational joint operational and joint logistics positions;
- Staffing in the Directorate of Logistics within AFHQ; and
- Staffing in DMO.
However,
CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston has informed commanders that 4J(3)
will only be considered for “essential expenditure” that is directly
related to OH&S and flying safety needs, and that cannot be filled by PAF staffing options.
Squadron Leader Mike Warby, Reserve Personnel Manager, said because
only these essential priorities, plus operational deployments
and backfilling are being funded, the impact will be felt across
the Air Force.
SQNLDR Warby said 4J(3) funding had been reducing for several
years and in 2004-05 would remain at the current level of 50 staff-years,
not including 20 man-years for the Ground Defence Reserve Group.
“These stringent measures have limited the amount of 4J(3) support
Reserves can provide to the Permanent Air Force as there are many
positions that are vacant and are not able to be filled,” he
said.
“However the Reserves have had a concomitant increase in Reserve
salary funding of about $3 million so we can supplement people
on Reserve day allocations to a limited extent.”
Even with the restrictions to 4J(3) funding, the Air Force expects
to exceed the AFS by about 125 in 2003-04 and by about 250 in
2004-05 before aligning with it in 2005-06.
For more information contact SQNLDR Warby
on (02) 6165 2364.
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