34 NAVY NEWS, MAY 2010

News and information for serving personnel

THE Augmentation and Crisis Manpower Planning (ACMP) Cell is a pan-Naval Personnel Team (NPT) department within NCHQ, which, under DNPers, coordinates the delivery of personnel for two broad areas – operational augmentees and manpower

For exercise, for exercise

● Operational training at Longmoor Training Camp

Picture: LA(Phot) Alex Cave

for exercises and events.

Additionally, the ACMP cell has responsibility for the RN Pre-Deployment and Mounting Centre that is based in HMS Nelson. Furthermore, the ACMP team are occasionally called upon to coordinate manpower in support of Military Aid to Civil Authorities. Hierarchically,

ACMP sits

above, and reaches into, all other NPTs and Career Managers to deliver personnel resources in support of NCHQ output. To achieve this, ACMP spans the

personnel spectrum, and through working closely with career managers, ACMP provide the essential link between operational manpower requirements and the personnel area in Navy Command.

■ Operational Augmentees

The ACMP cell is the initial MoD/PJHQ focus for all requests for RN/RM personnel provision. ACMP is the primary NCHQ point of contact and the authority for the RN’s contribution for augmentee support for current operations, most notably, but not exclusively, Op Herrick and Op Telic.

This requires continual HQ engagement and liaison throughout the force generation cycle to ensure the timely delivery of suitably trained augmentees. In addition to force generation,

ACMP contribute to the implementation and coordination of NCHQ Battle Casualty Replacements and In-Theatre Replacements, in addition to providing resources to support Cyprus-based decompression serials.

Whilst the total RN/RM commitment to operations fluctuates as operational demands rise and fall, there is a consistent NCHQ Individual Augmentation (IA) contribution to operations that is approximately 375 operational posts – this element is dealt with by ACMP. Operation Telic – Under a UK/Iraqi Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and via the RN Mounting Centre, the RN’s Telic contribution consists of 69 ranks for ITAM-N in Umm Qasr, which delivers a training team, force protection and J4/J6 support tasks. Additionally, the RN provides a small team of 12 to supplement the NATO staff in Baghdad, and a further 79 personnel to UKMCC Bahrain and CTF-IM (based both in Bahrain and on the Iraqi oil platforms). Operation Herrick – Currently the UK commitment to Afghanistan amounts to 9,500 personnel,

which includes

approximately 120 enduring RN augmentee positions. For Herrick 12, 40 Cdo completed pre-deployment training (PDT) for 670 personnel, including 43 RMR ranks, who deployed to Afghanistan from mid-March. To support this, the RM

Naval Personnel Team have force-generated a significant Battle Casualty Reserve (BCR)/ In-Theatre Replacement (ITR) pool, many of whom conducted parallel PDT training with

the

unit. ACMP retain oversight of these activities to ensure that the augmentation bill is satisfied when required. Once trained these personnel will be retained in UK at high readiness. Looking further ahead to 2011 and Herrick 14, the RM contribution is anticipated to increase significantly to a Brigade level commitment – this again will call for significant numbers of both RN and RMR augmentees and consequently, up to approximately

Drafty’s

corner

100 RMR ranks may be mobilised, in addition to an increased level of RN augmentation support. Pre-deployment training for this will commence in earnest from September.

In addition to these familiar land-based campaigns, ACMP coordinate the augmentation for other discrete operations, including activity across the Middle East, the Balkans and the South Atlantic.

Such activity often calls for individuals with specialist skills and a desire to operate in demanding environments – if you feel that you fulfil these roles, contact your career manager, who will be keen to assist you.

■ Exercise and events

ACMP also coordinate and

deliver NCHQ personnel support to high profile exercises and events.

RM support is continually in high demand and, like RN personnel, is prioritised in accordance with MOD guidelines. Inevitably, exercises and events

normally attract a lower priority than operations. Consequently, there is always a tension that exists between the demand for, and supply of, the limited manpower available. The ACMP team go to great lengths to ensure that the most suitable augmentee candidates are selected,

careful consideration of individual circumstances as well as the needs of the Service. The exercise and events that take place each year are broadly predictable and often take place roughly around the same time each year.

Consequently, ACMP build an

exercise and events calendar each year giving a ‘heads-up’ of the forthcoming attractions,

which

assists in planning manpower augmentation. This exercise and event calendar

is provided to the WMOs or specific unit manpower coordinators and identifies the manpower requirement as requested by the sponsor of the activity. Demands for major Fleet and

NATO exercises are a significant part of the augmentation business. However, when compared with

Operational Augmentation, it is generally delivered over a shorter term – normally two to three weeks at a time – although there are opportunities for longer spells of duty.

The notice for exercises is

normally greater than for a normal assignment – determined partly by when ACMP get the directive to provide manpower for a particular activity.

Another major part of the

ACMP augmentation business is to support national and Navy Board events. The events that the RN support

are diverse (as often reported in Navy News) and range from high- profile recurring and enduring national celebrations to local unique events. Events differ in that they range from one day to a maximum of three weeks. The ACMP team act as the

coordinators of manpower to provide support to these. To achieve this, ACMP are extremely reliant on (and grateful to) the WMOs and manpower providers to advertise these popular events. The larger and most recognisable of these events are occasions such as the November Ceremonies, which take place each year in London after a period of training in Portsmouth.

which includes

There are also a number of local remembrance ceremonies that are coordinated by local establishments, in which RN/RM personnel also participate. There are also great

opportunities to take part in major state ceremonial events in London (eg the State Opening of Parliament) and formal state visits by dignitaries – again ACMP coordinate the personnel for such events.

In addition, there are

opportunities for RN personnel to support some less well-known events such as the Mountbatten Festival of Music and anniversary events (Trafalgar 200 and Fly Navy 100).

Other smaller events include

RN support to the cricket test matches. Opportunities exist to act as

seating stewards at Wimbledon each year, which gives an opportunity for two weeks in the summer at the tennis championships – however, for this privilege, individuals are required to give up two weeks of annual leave. Further afield there are

international exercises, including support to the Five Powers Defence Agreement exercises in the Far East. Furthermore, ACMP coordinate

opportunities for RN personnel to participate in Exercise Long Look, which is an annual exchange programme managed by the Land Warfare Centre at Warminster. The RN is allocated 30 places, of which 20 are in Australia and 10 in New Zealand.

Long Look is open to ranks

ranging from LH to WO1 and junior officers (up to Lt RN). Posts are primarily reciprocal (by both branch and rate); however, exceptionally there are some opportunities for personnel to exchange on a non-reciprocal

basis if clearance can be sought. The exchange process occurs

during the period March-July during the year and is generated by an RNTM released post- summer leave for the exchange the following year. The exercise commitment that

ACMP satisfies each year could give you the chance to exercise your branch skills in a different sphere, in a different HQ or a RFA – with the added bonus on occasions of visiting somewhere outside the UK. Again, if you are interested in

Additional Resource Table. The RMART provides sailors with an opportunity to be involved with Royal Marine training. Frequently, the ACMP team are asked to provide suitable sailors to act as exercise role players (range sentries,

PDTMC).

enemy forces, hostages etc) or provide specific skill sets. These opportunities are varied

supporting any of the exercises, you should contact your employer and/or career manager for further details and to identify yourself as a volunteer.

■ Other ACMP opportunities

RMART – Royal Marine

in location and type (both in UK and overseas) and you may wish to contact your WMO or manpower provider to establish what is currently on offer. In order to deliver suitably trained personnel, all operational augmentees undergo pre- deployment training, which is coordinated by ACMP via the RN Pre-Deployment Training and Mounting Centre (RN

civilian population,

The RN PDTMC is responsible for training Naval Service personnel as mandated by PJHQ in support of Land Operations as Individual Augmentees. Further details regarding the

course can be found at the link

http://cwd-r-web-001.cwd. dii.r.mil.uk/IPDT_Centre/default. html

deduced that the ACMP team are involved in the coordination of a wide range of support to current operations and exercises. Many RN/RM personnel can benefit personally and/or professionally from experiences outside their routine employment – volunteers are encouraged to participate to exploit all that the Service has to offer.

Manning balance or balancing act?

WE ARE all aware of gapping, both at sea and ashore which is caused by a variety of reasons; lack of people in the operational pinch points (OPPs) communities, new operational requirements eg manning the newly- formed P Squadron, the current major demands of augmentation and medical downgrades to name a few.

So despite the Royal Navy being in manning balance (ie the correct overall number of personnel) this does not mean we have the required number of officers or ratings available in the correct branches at the correct rate. Most gaps within the ships, air squadrons and establishments are critical to the affected units so that unit raises a manpower OpDef. The appropriate WMO then takes the lead to

provide a solution irrespective of rank or rate. This is done through manpower trawls and liaison with Flotilla staff and dialogue with the career managers.

If an OpDef cannot be resolved, by the WMO, it is one of the tasks for the six person RN team within DNPers ManOps to act as the arbitrator. It should be noted that a decision to fill a gap, or not as the case may be, is based on the effect to the unit’s operational capability (OC) and its position within operational manning priorities grid. The team also undertakes manpower assurance visits to ships (MCMVs and larger) in the form of unit manpower checks (UMCs) and provides advice on manning policy and future manning requirements.

Having recently taken on the lead role for the

Separated Service Planning Tool (SSPT), the team will shortly issue direction and guidance for its use and issue an updated RNTM regarding the reporting of Personnel PerReqs and OpDefs.

A plea from the ManOps team – do not hide your manning shortfalls, forewarned is definitely forearmed and an early heads-up will allow a much better chance of achieving a resolution whilst ensuring the balance between maintaining OC and acknowledging the needs of the individual. The ManOps HQ team cover general service,

aviation and the submarine service and have strong links into the Royal Marine personnel team. Please feel free to contact ManOps direct with

your concerns, once you have engaged with WMOs in trying to resolve the issue in question. Cdr Andrew Stewart: FLEET-DNPERS MANOPS

SO1 93832 5716 Lt Cdr Steve Spiller: FLEET-DNPERS MANGS

SO2 93832 5814 Lt Cdr Paul Durham: FLEET-DNPERS MANAV

SO2 93832 5248 Lt Cdr Trevor Gladwell: FLEET-DNPERS MANSM

SO2 93832 5715

WO1: FLEET-DNPERS MANOPS WO 93832

5727

FLEET-DNPERS MANOPS ADMIN 93832 5828

Major Simon Orr RM: FLEET-DNPERS NPT(RM) RCMRM1 93832 8691 WO Stewart Bratherton: FLEET-DNPERS MANRM SO2 93832 8704

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