Cassidy, Laureen (SEN)
From:	Greg.Dalton@defence.gov.au
Sent:	Friday, 18 May 2001 12:10 PM
To:	fadt.sen@aph.gov.au
Subject:	SEC: UNCLASSIFIED:- INQUIRY INTO RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF ADF PERSONNEL

Sir,
     I feel duty bound to make a submission to this inquiry into recruitment and
retention of ADF personnel.
I am currently a Naval reservist on continuous full time service to the RAN.  I
had completed twenty years full time service in 1997 and transferred to the
reserves.  I was and still am a Medical sailor, my current position is Chief
Petty Officer Medical (ORA) Phase 4.  My present employment is at Training
Services Faculty at HMAS Cerberus.

     I believe the biggest problem with the retention of RAN Medical sailors is
two fold;
        The pay scales medical sailors are on, and
        Lack of civilian recognition for our training

At the moment medical sailors training follows the continuum of;
     ADF Medical Assistants 2 Course, at this stage they are a Phase One Medic;
     completion of a task book, where the sailor is awarded a second EDP number
     become a Phase Two Medic, eligible for promotion and advance one pay level;
     Under take the Able Seaman Medical Phase three training.  No pay increase
     associated with this course.  Now eligible for posting to Ships and smaller
     Health facilities.  Eligible for promotion to the rank of Leading Seaman
     Medical;
     Under take the Leading Seaman Medical Phase four course.  This course
     prepares the medical sailor to be in charge of a sick bay at sea with out a
     medical officer.  Whilst at sea, and without a Medical Officer these
     sailors receive a charge allowance of $4 something a day.  There is a  pay
     group adjustments from group three to pay group four on completion of  this
     course.  The medical sailor is now eligible for promotion to the rank of
     Petty Officer Medical.
One of the major concerns with medical sailors, is that the medical sailors is
the only branch that has skill grade training without pay group adjustments.  We
medical sailors look at other sailors who complete phase training and receive a
pay rise.  By structuring pay increase in line with phase training will bring
about finical reward and assist in retaining members.

At the end of my permanent naval career, medical sailors were issued relevant
certificates and diploma's for the training completed.  I received on discharge
the following diplomas;
   Advanced Diploma Human Resource Management;
   Diploma Remote Locality Advanced Health Care;
   Diploma Perioperative Procedures and
   Certificate of Vocational Instruction.
     Also at the this period of time Charles Sturt University awarded a number
of credits allowing medical sailors to finish either the Associate Diploma of
Human Science or Bachelor of Health Science (Pre Hospital Care).  I completed
the required units and was awarded my Bachelor of Health Science (PHC) May 1999.
This degree is the only such qualification I can use effectively in the civilian
work force the other qualifications have no civilian equal.  Added to this the
only recognition I receive from the Nurses registration board is for a State
Enrolled Nurse (Registered Nurse Division two in Victoria).
I believe to assist in the retention of RAN Medical sailors is to make the
Charles Sturt University course compulsory for all medical sailors on completion
of there relevant training.  By doing this it will bring the medical sailor in
line with identifiable civilian qualifications, and adds to their continuation
in training.

Added to these area's, the DRP and civilianising positions has ripped the heart
out of the medical branch sailors.  We see our health facilities being manned by
civilian staff due to staff shortage's.  Then we see this progress that all
military positions are removed leaving nowhere for sailors to posted to after
they complete their sea time.

Yours Aye
Greg Dalton
CPOMEDO4.