NAVY NEWS, OCTOBER 2009 33
News and information for serving personnel
NFF building
for the future
t
w
o
he
look
re
GALAXY BRIEFS
Galaxy 07/09: The Elizabeth Cross and
Memorial Scroll
Galaxy 08/09: First Sea Lord’s headmark
document
Galaxy 09/09: The Sun Military Awards
WOW, writes Kim Richardson
(‘Millies’) – message from First Sea Lord
Galaxy 10/09 : Armed Forces Continuous
of the Naval Families Federation Attitude Survey (AFCAS) – 2008 results.
about a letter received at their
Galaxy 11/09: Defence Secretary
priorities and objectives
offi ces: “I am always impressed
ROYAL NAVY TEMPORARY
with the work that the Families
MEMORANDA
Federations undertake and I
RNTM 122/09: The Royal Navy day by
day
greatly value the close working
RNTM 126/09: Guidance and policy for
● The team from the UK Strategic Weapon Facility at the US
relationship we have.
Fleet internal communications
Strategic Weapon Facility Atlantic in Georgia RNTM 127/09: Naval service amenity
“So I was particularly pleased fund approved grants
Rocket men
to have the opportunity to visit
RNTM 128/09 : Completion of survey of
the Naval Families Federation in
leave
RNTM 130/09: Desmond Wettern Fleet
September. I already know Kim award 2009
well, and it was good to meet the
RNTM 146/09: Long Look 2010 – annual
rest of the team.
exchange of personnel between RN, RAN
and RNZN
THE TEAM responsible for the management of the UK’s Strategic
“Readers of Navy News should RNTM 150/09: N-Trust – Scheme details
Weapon Facility have been awarded a commendation by General Sir
know what a dedicated and
and notice of increase to contributions and
Kevin O’Donoghue, the Chief of Defence Materiel.
talented team they have working on
benefi ts
RNTM 153/09: Guide for conducting
Lt Cdr Stuart Hobson, the officer in charge of the Strategic Weapon
their behalf, and I am very grateful safety, health and environment accident/
System Building at Faslane Naval Base, and Graham Potter, RNAD
to them all for their important
incident investigations
Coulport’s depot operations manager, were given the certificate after
RNTM 155/09 : Armed Forces Act 2006 –
contribution to the effectiveness
Revision of RN publications
a successful programme of work that has supported the work to bring
of the Naval Service.” RNTM 161/09: White Ensign Association
HMS Victorious back into the Fleet and to offload HMS Vigilant’s
The statement arrived after a
autumn term visit programme 2009
weapons and missiles to take her place in refit.
RNTM 162/09: Trauma Risk Management
visit to the NFF at Castaway
(TRiM) training
To add a further challenge, this cycle just happened to coincide with
House by the Under Secretary of
● Kim Richardson (left) and RNTM 164/09: Divisional management
a major US and UK inspection, designed to keep an eye on the team’s
State for Defence and Minister for
colleagues at the NFF with
and documentation – disposal of RORRS 1
efficiency.
Veterans Kevan Jones MP, during
defence minister Kevan
& 2
“It is fantastic that the work of our team at SWSB and Coulport has
which he also met representatives
Jones
DINS
been recognised,” said Lt Cdr Hobson. “They really pulled out all the
DIN 2009DIN01-121: Armed Forces
from charities based there.
governing Continuityy
childcare voucher scheme
stops to help keep the deterrent programme on track despite manpower
In the words of someone
of Education
DIN 2009DIN01-126: The wearing of
shortages and a volatile submarine programme.
famous ‘the system works’ – the
uniform in public – standards of dress and
Allowance (CEA)
“Add to this the fact that there was a major inspection during the
behaviour
issues raised by families in the
may not have made
DIN 2009DIN01-169: Armed Forces
work and you can see why it’s a significant achievement.”
Royal Navy and Royal Marines
themselves obvious
Pension Scheme 1975 (AFPS 75)
The pressures mounted on the team were not just man-made however.
communities reach the ears of
commutation
to families using this
When 16 of them travelled to the US Strategic Weapon Facility Atlantic
DIN 2009DIN01-171: HM Forces Railcard
those that make the decisions.
scheme.
– revised administrative instructions
(SWFLANT) in Kings Bay, Georgia, to help with the load and offload
The comment from the Minister
The Children’’s
DIN 2009DIN01-172: Day of prayer for
of the submarine’s missile delivery system they were forced to take
highlights just how your views and
the Armed Forces – November 5 2009
Advisory Education ion
shelter from a tornado.
DIN 2009DIN01-173: Electoral registration
experiences get to their intended
Service (CEAS) are the the
– members of the Armed Forces and their
“The winds were so powerful”, said Lt Cdr Hobson, “that they
destination.
specialists in policy and y and
spouses/civil partners
actually ripped off the roof of the explosive handling jetty.
Some of the timely subjects that
DIN 2009DIN01-181: Armed Forces
practice, and changes thathat t yyou are
“The submarine was safely berthed at the time and no one was hurt,
weight management policy
we have been talking to families
either thinking of making or plans king or plans
both to their militarboth to their military duties and to
DIN 2009DIN09-010: The Sun Military
but it was still a hairy moment.
about during the last month
that are hatching should include a uld include a
Awards 2009
“Luckily the US has a second handling jetty and we moved there and
their familyamily.”.”
include:
call or written communicaunicatition to on to
DIBS
resumed working.”
■ Definition of a FDefinition of a Family.
27/09: The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial
■ Affordable Housing under the
CEAS, who will be able to help
So at the conclusion of their hard work, the team have received a
“I know you are all concerned Scroll
Key Worker Scheme.
navigate the current rules and how
about policy guidance on the
29/09: First anniversary of the Service
commendation, seen a submarine safely back at sea, and won praise
At first glance it seems that
they apply to families.
definition of a family. You are
Personnel Command Paper – main
from the US and UK inspectors who said they “showed best practice for
only two straightforward choices
achievements and next steps
■ Modern Housing Solutions
procedures in weapon handling”.
well aware that this is not a simple 31/09: Armed Forces Compensation
are available to satisfy the delicate
Modern Housing Solutions
issue and has very significant
Scheme (AFCS)
Lt Cdr Hobson concluded: “I cannot emphasise how well our
balance of work/home interests –
(MHS) have announced the
ramifications (not just financial).
32/09: Access to swine fl u advice and
team has performed. Their versatility, flexibility and expertise are
either buy your own or apply for
antiviral treatment
launch of their approved pre-
extraordinary and I congratulate every last one of them.”
“We are looking to produce 33/09: New guidelines for Service and
Service Families Accommodation payment cleaning scheme which
Terms of Reference for this major
MOD staff using social media
(SFA). is rolling out across the whole of
piece of work over the next few
35/09: Secretary of State’s policy
Ocean experts
If the route you are favouring
statement on safety, health, environmental
the UK.
months with a view to commencing protection and sustainable development
is to buy your own home then Families living in SFA can
the study later this year.
take a look at the options that are arrange for a no-obligation quote
“It will be important that we
A CENTRE of Excellence in and Engineering.
out there. Joint Service Housing from the appointed company, who
engage with all who have an
Out and about
Naval Oceanographic Research Dr Richard Thain and Dr
Advice Office (JSHAO) specialise will guarantee the cleaning meets
interest, which will obviously IF you would like to catch up
and Education (CENORE) has Duncan Priestley, who are
in offering free advice to Service move-out standard.
include you. It may be that this with the Royal Navy Presentation
been set up among the University both based at BRNC, will be
personnel and their families, Leaflets on the scheme are
work will form part of forthcoming Team during one of their stints
of Plymouth, Flag Offi cer Sea the research and education
whatever format the family takes. available via DE Housing Officers,
defence review.” around the country, they can be
Training – Hydrography and coordinators for the new centre.
The status of being a key worker who can provide them as part of
Rome wasn’t built in a day, but found at:
Oceanography, and Britannia Dr Priestly said: “This is an
in the eyes of the Government the pre-move out visit.
it did get built. Your feedback and October 13: St Magnus Centre,
Royal Naval College. exciting venture which brings
means that all Service personnel ■ Rowner housing
experiences are what enable us Kirkwall; October 15: The Town
The Centre provides a focus for together the university and Royal
have access to their affordable Some of you may have received
to voice the collective views and House, Inverness; November 2:
RM personnel seeking academic Navy, allowing a synergy of
housing schemes, so if maybe you letters about the proposed changes
concerns of Naval and Marines Greenwich Theatre, Greenwich,
degrees and offers a platform for experience and the development
are a single parent or enjoy your to housing in Rowner; please see
Families – please keep them London; November 18: The
the development of research and of new approaches.
life as a couple without getting the NFF website and follow the
coming. Deep, Hull; November 19:
enterprise activities of mutual “By strengthening links with
married, the schemes could be links for further information.
The Naval Families Federation Sheffield United Football Club,
interest. the Royal Navy it drives forward
well worth exploring further. ■ Reporting back to you...
is contactable via www.nff.org. Sheffield; November 30: HMS
CENORE is based at the the university’s enterprise agenda,
Contact details can be found on We received a letter into our
uk, 02392 654374, or: NFF, President, London
University campus, virtually and and significantly enhances the
the NFF website. offices on August 17 from the
Castaway House, 311 Twyford If you would like to attend, call
physically, associated with the educational opportunities for
■ Continuity of Education Under Secretary of State for
Avenue, Portsmouth, PO2 8RN. 020 8833 8020/8022.
new School of Marine Science specialist personnel.”
Allowance Defence, progressing some of the
For all parents the happiness agenda items discussed as part
Living a life online
and choices made for children’s of the regular families forum
education is of utmost importance meetings; this is what is being
and subtle changes in the rules said:
DAY OF PRAYER
■ Flexibility of employment to
NEW guidance has been issued or on third parties without their
Nature at
facilitate childcare.
in DIB 33/09 on the subject permission;
“Recent AFW work has
FOR THE
of online self-publishing, social ■ attempts to speak, or could
focused on completing guidance
networking and user-generated be interpreted as speaking,
Faslane
to the chain of command on
ARMED FORCES
content – or in its native tongue, on behalf of the Service or the
arrangements for safeguarding
blogs, forums, Twitter, Facebook MOD;
the children of Service families
and other web-based activities. A NATURE reserve sandwiched
THE ARMED FORCES’ CHAPLAINCIES AND THE
■ relates to controversial,
– this is required for the full
The MOD has stressed sensitive or political matters. between Clyde Naval Base and
implementation of the Armed
that it is keen to have Service People are encouraged to RNAD Coulport has been awarded
MILITARY CHRISTIAN ORGANISATIONS WOULD
Forces Act 2006 by October, and
personnel talk about what they follow the same high standards the 2009 Sanctuary Silver Otter
also as a result of the Baby P
LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR A DAY
do, but highlights the need to of behaviour online as would be Environmental Projects award.
enquiry.
protect security, reputation and expected elsewhere. The Peaton Hill Reserve was
OF PRAYER FOR THE ARMED FORCES.
“Once this is complete the focus
privacy. The DIB also points out given the accolade in recognition of work will move to the creation
Online posts about factual the need to protect personal of five years of significant
ON: Thursday, 5 November 2009
of guidance for the Services on the
matters which are unclassified, information which may leave the development. The reserve was
AT: St Martin-in-the-Fields
management of childcare.
uncontroversial and non- individual vulnerable to hackers, set up in 2004 when the MOD
Trafalgar Square,
“We shall be looking to
operational are up to the online fraudsters and the like. and the Scottish Government’s underscore the importance of
London WC2N 4JJ
individual, but if in doubt, people Perhaps one of the most natural environment advisers saw flexibility in the allocation of
TIMING: 1245 – 1600
should seek advice from their salient pieces of advice reads: the benefits of transforming the duties in order to enable Service
DRESS: Working dress or civilian equivalent
chain of command. “Don’t publish anything you site. personnel to meet their obligation
The information specifically wouldn’t be happy for your The site supports a number of
The main service will take place from 1245 – 1345, followed by
identified for authorisation pre parents or your children to species: hen harriers, black grouse,
refreshments in St Martin’s Hall. There will then be an opportunity for
publication is: see.” grass warblers, toads, common
prayer followed by a short act of corporate worship ending at 1600.
■ relates to operations or Recent cases against bloggers frogs, and smooth newts.
deployments; such as the police’s Nightjack The team responsible will RSVP: forcesprayerday@yahoo.co.uk or 02392 814410
■ offers opinions on wider have shown that anonymity is receive their award this month at
defence or armed forces activity, not guaranteed online. a presentation at Whitehall. For more information: www.pray4ourforces.org.uk
You are most welcome to join us for all or part of the programme.
News and information
If you can’t join us, please pray with us on the day.
032-033_NN_oct09 2-6.indd 2 21/9/09 14:42:24
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52