36 NAVY NEWS, JULY 2010 News and information for serving personnel


The house that Jack built...


THEY say that ‘Jack’ is very resourceful, and recent events once again prove that the Senior Service can and does turn its hand to any task presented... To explain why this high praise is being bestowed, a recent challenging situation has achieved a great outcome thanks to some quick thinking and fancy footwork by the Naval Families Federation and Royal Navy. March this year saw the opening of the new Sub-HIC in Plymouth.


Just as life had started to settle down for the staff, a fire was started in an adjacent building affecting communications and business, then the freeze on recruitment saw temporary staff leave ahead of expected timescales... All of this led to a real challenge for the staff allocating Service Families Accommodation (SFA) in the West Country (no surprises) as staffing was cut in half at the busiest time of year.


After a few telephone calls between the NFF and Captain of Base Devonport’s office, two Naval Service staff under the care of the Recovery Cell have started at Plymouth Sub-HIC to man the phones and take messages for our families. New staff are being recruited to fill the Defence Estates roles but in the meantime, fantastic, not only can callers get through, the allocation guys can get on with the vital role of identifying and offering SFA to moving families.


The Senior Service showing the way!


Top honours for engineers


THE International Naval Engineering Conference, organised by the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, held in Portsmouth Naval Base attracted over 400 guests.


The event featured the Sir Donald Gosling


Awards for


authors aged 40 or under who present at the conference. The chief executive Dr Marcus


Jones said: “This year there were ten papers considered by the judges who certainly had a tough time deciding between them. “The winners show the tremendous depth of knowledge of some extraordinarily talented young authors some of whom are serving offi cers in the Royal Navy and others are in industry and academia.


“We wish them well in their future endeavours and congratulate them on their INEC success.” The fi rst prize was awarded to Lt Hugh Maddison – Superintendent Fleet Maintenance (Portsmouth) and Alan Davis, Supply Chain Manager, Hunt COM, BAE Systems for their paper A quiet revolution in Hunt class MCMV operation and support. The second prize went to the four authors of Stretching the future surface combatant: Examining the affordability benefi ts of a twin- variant ship – Rick Goddard, Ian Randles, Lt Charles Golden, and Tim McDonald.


was made to Lt Cdr Fraser Work DE&S for Development of multi- fuel, power dense engines for maritime combat craft.


Making Waves


STORYBOOK Waves is a scheme that allows parents deployed overseas to create a special link with their children. You can record a story for your child to listen to before you deploy, then music and sound effects are added and the finished CD sent to your child. Wherever you are in the world, you can still be part of your child’s bedtime routine, or whenever they want to listen to it. Recordings take about 15 minutes, and can be done at any of the


Storybook bases located around the UK. Once edited with sound effects by one of the volunteer team, the fin- ished CD will be sent to the address you supply some four to six weeks after you deploy. If you would be interested in finding out more, contact: Portsmouth


– The Learning Centre on 023 927 Ext 25292/24288 or Julie Meads (NPFS) on 07802 918521; Devonport – The Learning Centre on 9375 67597; Faslane – The Learning Centre on 93255 5971; Yeovilton – The Chaplaincy on 01935 454324.


And the third and fi nal award


So what do you think?


LIFE in the RN/RM is not always easy. The Continuous Attitude Survey (CAS) gives all personnel the chance to say what they like and what makes Service life diffi cult, writes Paul Cox of DNPS. It may only be a survey, but it does make a difference – it is a key way of letting people at the top know what they need to do to improve things.


The results are taken seriously. So what does CAS tell us about the typical sailor/marine? They are committed and proud


to serve. What’s more their team gets on well and pulls together. And, although there is still room for improvement, they think that post deployment/tour support is getting better. The money is also a positive; around half of people are satisfi ed with the fi nancial benefi ts on offer (which may not sound much, but in most organisations only about a third of people are satisfi ed on this score).


But inevitably there is a


downside to serving, not least its impact on personal and family life. Which may affect their decision to leave.


Some feel their contribution is not always recognised,


and


that senior leaders do not really understand them or represent their interests.


Does this sound like you? Read


the survey results to fi nd out more via RN Web (intranet) on the DNPS Research Webpage or on the defence internet www.mod. uk – search for ‘AFCAS’. The Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Sir


Alan Massey


commented: “I want to thank all of you who took the time to complete the 2009 Armed Forces Continuous Attitude Survey (AFCAS).


“The full results of the Survey


are now available, and will provide me with evidence to argue your case at the very top of the Defence management chain.


“Once again I am encouraged that many areas,


including


attitudes towards immediate superiors,


responses – especially from ratings and other ranks.


The excellent teamwork and the commitment to our ethos and values that we all share are important factors in naval life, with over 70 per cent of those who responded replying positively to questions on these aspects. “It is also gratifying that over 80 per cent of those who replied to the survey said they were proud to serve in the RN or RM. “The AFCAS also indicates some areas of dissatisfaction. “I will address these urgently to


help give you the level of support and conditions of Service you deserve. “I am well aware that Service life puts real pressures and constraints on our people and families. “Through the Service Personnel Command Paper (The Nation’s Commitment issued in late 2008) we continue to work with other Government departments and agencies to lessen the disadvantages of Service life and put ourselves on a more level playing fi eld with the general public.


“As the recommendations are put into action I fully expect that things will get better. “Finally,


the forthcoming


Strategic Defence and Security Review will probably greatly infl uence the way we work and use our assets in the future. “The evidence from the AFCAS will help me to ensure that people issues are never off the agenda as Defence moves forward. “Your views really do count. If


you get a questionnaire this year asking about life in the RN/RM, please do take time to fi ll it in. “The more people who


participate in the study the greater impact it will have, and the more it will do for you.”


It’s your 2-6, on page and TV


NEED to get your message across to the rest of the RN? The 2-6 TV DVD has been aligned with the Personnel Support Brief providing an enhanced package for use in sharing information. Feedback received regarding the new-look 2-6 TV DVD is encouraging. Your thoughts and opinions are invaluable. Please forward any


constructive ideas about what should be covered to WO1 Baz Cooke or Pauline Aquilina. To feature in the Navy News


8809, FLEET-DCS-INFO-IC SO2 ■ WO1 Baz Cooke, 93832


85984


2-6 pages contact Lt Cdr Heather Lane or WO1 Cooke. ■ Lt Cdr Heather Lane, 93832


8821, FLEET-DCS-INFO-IC WO ■ Pauline Aquilina, 9621


Disagree: The senior leaders of the RN/RM understand and represent my interests Dissatisfied: The opportunities available to you for flexible working? Dissatisfied: The amount of separation from family and friends Dissatisfied: The opportunity to take leave when you want to? Dissatisfied: The ability to plan your own life - long term eg holidays/career training? Disagree: Do you agree this extra 14 per cent in your salary is enough compensation? Increases intention to leave: Impact on family and personal life received positive Increases intention to leave: Effect of operational commitment and stretch


AFCAS TOP 10 NEGATIVE ATTITUDES Dissatisfied: Effect of service life on spouse/partner’s career


Low: How would you rate the level of morale of the RN as a whole? Agree: The ethos of the RN/RM is an important part of life in the RN/RM Agree: In the RN I am treated fairly Satisfied: RN/RM sport, exercise and fitness facilities in general Agree: Members of my team have confidence in each other


AFCAS TOP 10 POSITIVE ATTITUDES Agree: I understand the values and standards/core values of the RN/RM


Agree: I understand what the RN/RM ethos is Agree: Members of my team get on well with each other Agree: Members of my team pull together to complete tasks Strongly: How strongly do you feel you belong to your department Agree: I feel proud to be in the RN/RM


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