Navy, Army and Air Force Reservists are a vital component of Australia’s Defence Force (ADF). Major General Greg Melick has just been promoted to become Australia’s most senior Defence Reservist and will oversee the organisation that liaises between Defence, Reservists and their civilian employers. He explains how Reservists can make a difference to business and how his people can work with employers for mutually beneficial outcomes.
Q. Why are Defence Reservists such an important part of Australia’s military?
Currently there are around 400 Navy, Army and Air Force Reservists deployed on operational service in Australia and overseas. These Reserve members come from the Australian community and most have civilian jobs or are in business. They contribute real capability to the Australian Defence Force. For example, the ADF contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands consists overwhelmingly of Army Reserve members, including the Commander of the 150 strong contingent.
The current high operational tempo of the ADF could not be maintained if it were not for the efforts and contributions of the Reserve.
Q. How do you help civilian employers of Reservists when their staff members are required for Defence service?
We help civilian employers in a number of deliberate ways. The Employer Support Payment Scheme, which was introduced by the Government in 2001, can provide employers with the Australian average weekly earnings for the period an employee is serving after a short qualifying period.
With help from our office, many private and public sector employers have adopted Defence leave policies, which enable their employees to take a form leave for the period of their Reserve service and then return to their jobs.
The greatest incentive for Reserve service is service to Australia in uniform. This point should not be underestimated. Many individuals, large and small businesses, government departments and multinational corporations have made this point.
Q. Do employers have to release their staff for Defence service?
Technically the answer is ‘Yes’. The Defence Reserve Service (Protection) Act 2001 makes it a criminal offence to hinder Reserve service. However, that Act has been law for six years now and it has never been used. We seek resolution of any disputes with employers through discussion and we always apply a ‘reality test’ to these sensitive situations.
I think the fact that the Act is there is testimony to the importance the Government places on Reserve service and has been something a few employers have had to consider. The compensating fact that it has never been used is evidence of our ability to successfully resolve release issues
through discussion.
We are currently conducting a review of the Act to ensure it continues to satisfy its objectives and to examine ways its provisions could be extended to students who are Reservists.
Q. Do you arrange any activities to help employers understand what Reservists do in the Defence Force?
Committees of the Defence Reserve Support Council, comprising Defence and employer members, operate in each capital city and many regions. Their role is to work with industries and employers to build an informed and healthy relationship through social contact and information sessions.
These committees work with Defence personnel to arrange ‘Executive Stretch’ exercises, where local employers experience for themselves the service training their Reserve employees receive.
Our national office also arranges ‘Bosslift’ operations, where we take employers to where their employees are serving to see what they actually do while in uniform. Recent operation Bosslifts have involved taking groups of 20 or more employers to locations such as Malaysia and the Solomon Islands. Employers have said they experience workplace improvements from their Reserve employees in areas such as leadership, team work and problem solving, OH&S awareness, work planning, risk management, people skills, written and verbal communication, self discipline, project management, and of course physical fitness.
There are cases where Reservists have been promoted in their civilian jobs due to the skills gained in the Reserve.
Q. What qualities do you look for when signing people up for the Reserves?
The same as any other employer – honesty, integrity and a willingness to learn. We teach all the other necessary personal and professional skills, such as leadership and equipment competencies.
Q. What types of skills do Reservists bring to civilian workplaces and how can these help improve a business’ bottom line?
On the most recent operation Bosslift to the Solomon Islands, a group of CEOs discussed this very issue. They concluded that Reserve service by their employees provided their companies with a personnel development program so good that ‘money could not buy it’. They said this directly improves their business bottom line.
We are currently working to improve the way Reserve training is recognised in the civilian qualification environment.
Q. What roles can people fill in the Reserves?
One of the most attractive features of Reserve service is the variety of employment available to individuals across the three Services. Alternatively, it is not unusual for civilian employment to be directly transferable to one of the Reserves.
Another option is working in a Reserve area completely different to an individual’s normal job. For example, a medical professional from a major hospital opted to be an infantry soldier.
At the moment, engineers, technicians and health professionals are in most need. The ADF is not alone in needing these skills, and here, other strong points of the Reserve become apparent, such as employment flexibility and new professional experiences in Australia and overseas.
For more information on Defence Reserves Support visit www.defence.gov.au/reserves or phone 1800 803 485.
