THE NAVY RESERVIST - Royal Australian Navy

NAVY RESERVIST 6
PRELS lead
the way in
NGN reform
By LCDR Fenn Kemp
THE RAN’s Public Relations (PREL) primary
qualification (PQ) is undergoing the most
significant reform since its inception, with its
members being brought under the control of
the Permanent Navy (PN).
The RAN’s PREL capability is unique within
the ADF, in that it is wholly staffed by Reserve
members. Their civilian employment in
media, marketing, public relations, event
management and the like allows them to
bring a raft of skills and experience that
Permanent members may not have. However,
until recently the PREL capability was
managed outside of the main stream of the
PN and, as a result, has arguably been ‘out of
sight and out of mind’.
The 2009 Defence White Paper (WP) and
Strategic Reform Program (SRP) highlighted
the challenges facing the Australian Defence
Organisation over the next two decades. The
WP identifies the significant increase in ADF
capabilities needed for Force 2030, while the
SRP encompasses the resource efficiencies
required to deliver these capabilities,
particularly over the next ten years.
Effective and efficient workforce management
is a key element of Navy’s SRP strategy,
noting that SRP reforms aim to achieve a
sustainable, integrated uniformed and civilian
workforce that has the right skills and is the
right size and shape for the future. One of the
key aims of the New Generation Navy (NGN)
program is to centralise and streamline the
way the RAN does business. This included
bringing the PREL PQ into the Navy fold to
optimise its effectiveness.
In 2009, nine PRELs signed CFTS contracts
with Navy and all have ‘hit the ground
running’. Some served overseas, while others
took part in exercises ashore and afloat
or were employed within Navy Strategic
Command or Joint Operations Command in
Canberra. A growing number of PRELs have
indicated their preference to accept Navy
work they can carry out from home.
These new PRELs have joined the Navy team
on the crest of a wave of change. The recent
decision to re-name and re-focus the PHOT
category and move it into the Intelligence
community could soon require Public Affairs
specialists to include basic imagery skills
in their repertoire. This is one of a number
of issues incorporated into the review of
PREL requirements and their job description
that is now underway. The review should be
completed by mid-2010.
The PREL PQ management changes already
implemented along with those anticipated
in the near future will facilitate opportunities
for PRELs who want to actively contribute. For
Navy, the WP and SRP changes will underpin
its ability to operate, maintain and support a
larger, more potent force of surface platforms,
submarines and aircraft. Marketing the new
Navy capabilities will be a challenging task.
On launching the NGN program, CN made
it clear that marketing Navy now and into
the future is a fundamental job for all Navy
people. The PREL PQ has a leadership role
in this regard and that means more work for
more active PRELs.
PREL LEUT Gary McHugh (rear) with
personnel from HMAS Kanimbla meet
young locals in Padang, Indonesia during
Operation Padang Assist. PRELs are on
the crest of a wave of change ashore, at
sea, at home and on deployment.
Photo: ABIS Andrew Dakin.
The Navy Reservist - ISSUE #2