Reservists better off with new pay deal
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Reservists better off with new pay deal
By Graham Howatt
Armed Forces Federation of Australia
RESERVISTS have finally gained greater recognition regarding the attainment of competencies to be effectively employed within the ADF, and are to be more closely aligned with members of the permanent force regarding pay for work done.
The difficulties associated with employment as a Reservist have also been recognised and are now to be financially compensated by way of a daily allowance, similar to that of service allowance, at a rate of $10 a day for SQNLDR and below.
All that remains is for Reservists to have the government agree to the payment of superannuation – but two out of three ain’t bad.
At the end of a two-day Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal (DFRT) hearing on August 31, the DFRT endorsed the ADF proposal, which took effect on September 1.
This outcome, at long last, abolishes the discount factor applied to calculate daily rates of pay for Reservists compared to those of the permanent force, where full competencies are held for work
performed.
This, in effect, provides a 17 per cent pay increase for all Navy and Air Force Reservists (excluding trainees).
The provision of a rate of service allowance for Reservists is also long overdue and welcomed by the Federation. And, while we accept Reservists do not endure the factor of posting turbulence that applies to the rate of $26.55 a day, we believe the rate of $10 a day is modest at best.
That said, the Federation submitted at the DFRT hearing that the introduction of this allowance needs to be considered as an interim amount and validated at the annual review of allowances hearing in mid-2007.
The government decision remains that all pay and allowances for Reservists be tax-free.
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RECENTLY, the personnel in our unit were informed that DPCU had become the designated option as dress of the day.
Whilst the decision is very practical, in regards to replacing CWD, I wonder where this will lead. Part of the reason given for this change was that it provides equality with the barracks dress as worn by the Army. However, when I checked, I noticed that the Army still has a specific standard for the office environment. The Army Standing Orders for dress clearly state that DPCU are for field- related duties and general duty dress, which is our Service dress, must be worn on other occasions.
My wife and neighbours were perplexed. They could not understand how an Air Force person could wear an Army field uniform on a daily basis. Personally, I would be concerned about the loss of identity that this action may eventually produce. In the past, I have seen situations whereby, without a unique and clear focus, people naturally relax their perceptions. Standards are often reduced to the lowest possible denominator.
In the future, will we still see ourselves as Air Force or just an extension of the Army machine? Identity is one of the critical factors that creates a unique team and this is now not as clear as it used to be.
As for me, I remain proudly Air Force. The presentation of my uniform in the past expressed this loyalty and my pride in wearing it. Now it seems I am just another Army-type wondering around the base. I still have pride in who I am, in the organisation to which I belong and the uniform that I wear. The sad thing is that I just can’t show it any more.
FLTLT David Jackson
School of Air Traffic Control
RAAF Base East Sale
Director Coordination-Air Force GPCAPT Rob Lawson responds:
The decision as to what is worn as dress of the day is the prerogative of local commanders, provided the uniform chosen is an approved one, meets OH&S and any other functional or ceremonial requirements and its use complies with the policies set out in the Dress Manual.
The change of Air Force working dress from CWD to DPCU was recommended by the previous DCAF and endorsed by the Chief of Air Force Advisory Committee in 2005 for a number of reasons.
On most of the operational deployments in which Air Force personnel were involved, DPCU was the nominated uniform, resulting in many members expressing their wish to WOFF-AF and others to be able to wear DPCU as working dress at their home base so that they could accustom themselves and wear-in the various items of clothing and equipment associated with this outfit.
From a practical point of view, having DPCU as both working and operational dress meant personnel would only have to take one type of uniform on attachments or exercises instead of two.
Perhaps the strongest reason for adopting the change was that it would give Air Force personnel a working dress, which would be issued and exchanged on a no-cost basis, unlike the previous system under which most replacement CWDs had to be purchased by the individual.
The recognition factor was acknowledged by CAFAC, resulting in the subsequent CAF policy allowing the wearing of squadron caps, badges and t-shirts with DPCU in most working environments.
Additionally, the layout of the Air Force DPCU shirt includes the Air Force badge on the upper left shoulder and the words ‘Air Force’ sewn above the left pocket to help clearly identify the wearer’s parent service.
Finally, DPCU is not in itself an Army uniform, but the main field and working dress for Army and Air Force.
