34 NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2009
News and information for serving personnel
A balanced
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The Armed Forces Act 2006
(AFA 06) came fully into force on
approach
October 31 2009, replacing the
Naval Discipline Act 1957 with a
single system of Service law.
All disciplinary proceedings
THE ROYAL Navy is approaching that impressive lodestar of manning balance – defined in
beginning from that date will be
MOD-speak as being between 2 per cent below and 1 per cent above the Defence Planning
conducted under the new law.
Liability.
See Galaxy 15-09 and DIB 44/09
Naval Secretary Rear Admiral Among these he lists the heavy resultant shortfall in funding would
for more detailed references.
Charles Montgomery made this RN commitment to augmentation have to be found from elsewhere
Galaxy Briefs
announcment, describing it as tasks; the enduring structural in the already overstretched
Galaxy 13/09: Naval Manning
“good news as our people are deficits (more MOD-speak – Ed) operational budget.”
Balance
the single most important, flexible in certain sub-branches, ranks and The intention is to use a
Galaxy 14/09: Armed Forces
and battle-winning component of rates; use of the Margin – for variety of methods to keep up
TROPHY 3534 is a large oval radio silence they arrived
Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
operational capability.” example for medical reasons – the strength of the Navy while
silver bowl supported by an in the Falkland Islands to
Review
He added: “This improvement in some sub-branches, ranks and balancing liability.
ornate column with two cast take on coal on December
is largely due to the hard work that rates is higher than expected. Needs within each branch
Neptune heads and two cast 7 1914 and were joined by
RNTM
has gone into a raft of recruitment The admiral pledges to keep will be looked at individually,
dolphins. the cruisers Bristol, Cornwall,
RNTM 187/09: Suitability for
and retention initiatives, but has tackling the causes of gapping that but the expectation is that there
The bowl is decorated with Caernarvon, Glasgow, and
service in small ships
been accelerated by the downturn result in hardship on the ground. will be fewer opportunities for
anchors and lifebelts; around the armed merchant cruiser
RNTM 191/09: Complaints
in the economic environment.” He continued: “As our trained extensions of Service, fewer
the centre is an embossed Macedonia.
against discharge by RN ratings
In short, there are now more strength nears the funded liability full-time Reserve Service
inscription recording its The following morning
and RM other ranks
people applying to join the ceiling, we must control overall contracts and less opportunity
donation in 1911 to the light Admiral von Spee – unaware
RNTM 193/09: The Naval
Royal Navy, and significantly numbers to ensure that this ceiling to withdraw voluntary notices to
cruiser HMS Glasgow by the of the presence of the British
Review Fellowship
fewer looking to end their career is not breached.” leave.
City Corportation, and the two capital ships – approached
RNTM 196/09: Introduction of
early and venture out into the The liability referred to is the However the point is stressed
side panels bear the arms of the Falkland Islands with the
JSP 835 alcohol and substance
insecurities of Civvy Street. requirement for specified types that all applications will be
the City of Glasgow and the aim of disabling the radio
misuse policy and testing
The admiral does however warn of trained military manpower, an considered on a case-by-case basis
ship as she was in 1911. station and destroying the
RNTM 199/09: The Nuffi eld
that the successes in manning will agreed baseline set for each of the and there will be a continued
HMS Glasgow was involved coal stocks.
Trust for the Forces of the Crown
not bring gapping to an end for Services. need to retain people in particular
in three significant naval As soon as his masts had
RNTM 201/09: RNSFDO driver
several reasons. He added: “If we fail to do so the shortage categories.
actions in the first six months been sighted all bar Bristol
training courses for Royal Naval
of World War 1. and Macedonia sailed and in
personnel
On November 1 1914 she a fierce running engagement
RNTM 205/09: The Naval
Service Assisted Passage
scheme
RNTM 206/09: The Naval
Pride in the Service
was part of Vice Admiral Sir Scharnhorst, Gneisenau,
Christopher Cradock’s force Leipzig and Nürnberg were
of three cruisers – Good Hope, sunk, while Dresden managed
Monmouth and Glasgow to escape.
Service Prizes and Awards fund
– and the armed merchant Glasgow and Cornwall
RNTM 210/09: Loss or theft
cruiser Otranto which was chased Leipzig for over 80
of Naval Service identity cards
ON THURSDAY and Friday
engaged by a German fleet miles before the German
disciplinary and administrative
December 3-4 the fi fth annual
commanded by Admiral Graf cruiser, having run out of
procedures
Lesbian Gay Bi-Sexual
von Spee near Coronel on the ammunition but still flying her
RNTM 214/09: Narrowboats
Transgender (LGBT) Equality
central Chilean coast. battle ensign, was finally sunk
Emma, Lafter, and Andrew –
Conference will take place at the
The British ships were no at 2123 with only 18 of her
availability for 2010
Victory Services Club, London.
match for the more modern crew surviving.
RNTM 215/09: Caravan
With a keynote speech from
enemy ships; the armoured British casualties were ten
holiday park – availability for
Ben Summerskill, chief executive
cruisers Scharnhorst and men killed and 19 wounded;
2010
of Stonewall, and support from
Gneisenau and the light the Germans lost 1,871 men,
the Chiefs of Staffs from all three
DINS
cruisers Dresden, Leipzig and including Admiral von Spee
Services, it is clear that things
DIN 2009 DIN01-207:
Nürnberg. and his two sons, but 215
have changed radically from ten
British Forces Post Offi ce last
Both Monmouth and Good men were saved from the
years ago when homosexuality
recommended posting dates for
Hope were sunk while 1,570 cold waters of the South
in the military was illegal and
Christmas 2009
men lost their lives. Spee’s Atlantic.
thought to “induce ill-discipline…
DIN 2009 DIN01-210: Tri-
force suffered only three Dresden, the last survivor of
and damage morale and unit
Service arrangements for the
wounded men – but he had the German Pacific Squadron,
effectiveness”.
completion, storage and disposal
expended almost half his was finally sunk in March 1915
This year the focus of the
of Wills
ammunition. off the Juan Fernandez Islands
conference is ‘Out and In’ and
DIN 2009 DIN02-016:
As a result of this defeat after a short engagement
is going to be on recruiting and
Volunteers for specialist HUMINT
Admiral Sturdee and the against a superior Royal Navy
retaining LGBT personnel in the
duties – Op Samson
battle cruisers Inflexible and squadron – which included
Armed Forces. The military has
DIN 2009 DIN07-136: Joint
Invincible were sent to the the Glasgow – and she was
got lots to celebrate.
Services Expeditions Trust
South Atlantic; maintaining scuttled to avoid capture.
2008 London Pride was the
(JSET) fourth year in succession that
● Participants in the 2008 Pride London march
DIN 2009 DIN10-040: Exercise serving personnel were given Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Sir Alan orientation a public matter) has
Canary Gold 2009/10 permission to march in the parade Massey. found that some LGBT people
DIN 2009 DIN10-045: Royal in uniform; and for the first time In addition it is also going to have not, or would not, consider
Navy show jumping and eventing all three Services, Navy, Army and address the issue of ‘banter’ ie jobs in the armed services because
team – dates selection 2010 Air Force, were represented. the type of humour that is typical of concern about suffering
DIN 2009 DIN10-046: Royal This year was also the largest within the Armed Forces and is discrimination.
Navy Alpine championships 2010 turn out yet. seen as essential to keeping up the In fact the Ministry of Defence
DIN 2009 DIN10-048: Ex Last year 2008 also saw the morale of a troop or unit especially policy on diversity is extremely
Mercury Snow Rider (MSR) – creation of the Naval Service when they’re operating in positive, emphasising that the
Royal Signals snowboarding LGBT Forum to match those extremely dangerous conditions. people they employ are the most
championships already found in the Army and But it can sometimes be a thin important factor in enabling
DIN 2009 DIN10-049: Royal Air Force. line between the good-natured the Armed Services to fulfil its
Royal Navy open badminton These groups consist of men teasing, joking and repartee of mission to defend the UK and its
championships and women from all ranks and banter that doesn’t offend anyone interests.
DIN 2009 DIN10-050: Royal rates within the Services who are and crossing over into words or Diversity is seen as crucial to
Navy theatre festival 2010 interested in influencing policy behaviour that could be construed operational effectiveness as a
DIBS
and practice within each of their as hurtful. truly diverse defence workforce
39/09: UK troop levels in
respective Armed Service. The Services have a rigorous enhances the ability of the military
Afghanistan
Many serving personnel have policy on bullying and harassment to adapt to the rapidly changing
41/09: Swine fl u: immunisation
also volunteered to act as mentors but the conference will be looking global context in which serving
for Herrick
to line managers, other LGBT at how, if light-hearted banter personnel can find themselves.
42/09: Service personnel:
personnel or potential recruits, becomes potentially offensive, Equality and diversity training
Register to vote
if they need advice or support in what steps LGBT personnel can is now mandatory at all levels
43/09: The strategy for
relation to being LGBT and life take informally and locally to within each of the three Services
Gadgets at the front
Defence
in the military. tackle this, without escalating the and special emphasis is placed on
With the formation of the situation unnecessarily. the core values of integrity and
PORTABLE DVD players, games consoles and solar-powered chargers
LGBT forums there has been All three of the Armed Services respect for those who are in any
are being sent out to Afghanistan’s Forward Operating Bases through the
It’s your 2-6
a more co-ordinated approach work closely with Stonewall, a leadership position.
Operational Welfare Fund.
from the serving LGBT charity that campaigns for equality With a growing defence
The Fund, launched by SSAFA Forces Help and the MOD, with
community ensuring that LGBT of opportunity and fair treatment community who expect and have
sponsorship from Littlewoods, Woolworths.co.uk and the Daily Mirror,
NEED to get your message issues remain on the agenda of for LGB personnel. It has also a right to be valued as much as
will have the gadgets and gizmos winging their way out to the lads and
across to the rest of the Royal senior management within the been a member of the Stonewall their heterosexual colleagues, it is
lasses in the thick of the action.
Navy? military and the wider defence Diversity Champions programme also not a time for complacency.
For the first time, men and women out on operations will have the
To feature in 2-6 contact community. since 2005. There is a need to embrace
chance to decide what the money raised for them should be spent on
Lt Cdr Heather Lane or WO1 The LGBT forums have also As Diversity Champions, the LGBT issues as part of the
– and that can range from better coffee to an internet café and mess
Baz Cooke (Fleet Media Ops) been more proactive in meeting Armed Services rank among other everyday business of the military area.
on 93832 8809 or 93832 8821, press requests and requests for high-calibre public and private and this conference aims to ensure The aim is to channel the massive public support for the military into
email FLEET-DCS-INFO-IC SO2 Service attendance at events or sector employers and has the that happens. providing those in the Service with the things that they need to improve
or FLEET-DCS-INFO-IC WO. presentations whenever possible. opportunity to learn best practice The conference is open to all daily life.
The conference will hear from on sexual orientation policy from military personnel, attendance Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, the Deputy Chief of the Defence
best practice in recruitment and other organisations. by LGBT junior ranks/ratings is Staff (Personnel), said: “If people could donate to the new SSAFA
retention strategies, have a chance There is still a challenging time particularly encouraged. Operational Welfare Fund, their generosity will go much, much further
to meet the Service Complaints ahead though. Full details of the conference – and without the unintended side-effects of delaying personal mail.
Commissioner and hear from A recent report by the Equality and an application for attendance “As the fund is built up, I look forward to seeing what ideas our
the chief human resources officer and Human Rights Commission can be found at DIN 2009 DIN01- soldiers, sailors and airmen have for other ways that money can be used
in the Royal Navy, the Second (Beyond Tolerance: making sexual 193 released October 2009. to make life on operations a little brighter.”
News and information for serving personnel
034-036_NN_Dec09 2-6.indd 1 19/11/09 16:36:50
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