Cassidy, Laureen (SEN)
From:	Grahame Rankin [Rankin.Grahame@stirling.wa.gov.au]
Sent:	Tuesday, 24 April 2001 3:20 PM
To:	'fadt.sen@aph.gov.au'
Subject:	INQUIRY INTO RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL
DEAR SIR
I WISH TO MAKE A SUBMISSION ON THE "INQUIRY INTO RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
OF DEFENCE PERSONNEL."

MY RECOMMENDATION CONCERNS THE RE-ENLISTMENT OF EX ADF PERSONNEL WHO HAVE
ELECTED TO "RETIRE" AFTER REACHING PENSIONABLE AGE.  

 THE MAJORITY OF PERSONNEL WHO SEEK DISCHARGE AFTER 20 YEARS SERVICE
PROBABLY JOINED THE DEFENCE FORCE WHEN THEY WERE AROUND 18 YEARS OF AGE.
THEREFORE, THESE SERVICEMEN ARE LEAVING THE DEFENCE FORCE IN THEIR LATE
THIRTIES TO SEEK "OTHER EMPLOYMENT".   HOWEVER, IF THEY DO NOT FIND THEIR
NEW CAREER FULFILLING, AND DECIDE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE PREFERRED TO STAY IN
THE ADF, WELL, THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RE-ENLIST AS THEY HAVE REACHED
PENSIONABLE SERVICE.   

SPECIAL CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ALLOWING PERSONNEL WHO HAVE
COMPLETED 20 YEARS SERVICE TO RE-ENTER THE ADF IF THEY MEET ALL THE GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS OF RECRUITMENT (EXCEPT THE AGE FACTOR).    

IN THIS DAY OF BEING UNABLE TO MEET RECRUITMENT NUMBERS THE ABOVE
RECOMMENDATION WOULD AT LEAST GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SOME OLDER EX ADF
PERSONNEL TO CONSIDER A RETURN TO THE DEFENCE FORCE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN READING THIS SUBMISSION.

GRAHAME RANKIN