34 NAVY NEWS, MARCH 2008
News and information for serving personnel
NATO spotlight falls on NCOs
Diseases
NATO has announced that 2008 is to be the “This is an exciting year that provides us As senior enlisted personnel, they have
scheme is
year when non-commissioned officers (NCOs) the impetus for the future development of practical experience of life on the messdecks
step into the limelight. generations of NCOs,” said Allied Command and have much expertise, and can therefore
Service
Heralding the Year of the NCO, Supreme Operations Senior NCO, Command Sgt Maj advise their officers as well as offering the
Allied Commander Europe Gen John Craddock Michael Bartelle, the brains behind the idea. benefit of their experience in training and
‘faster and
said: “Our NCOs are an integral link in the Sgt Maj Bartelle will bring together mentoring junior rates.
chain of command and leadership in NATO. NCOs from across the Alliance to begin The Royal Navy does not refer to NCOs;
honours
“We cannot conduct our important missions development of an NCO Charter, which will petty officers, chiefs and warrant officers are less costly’
without them. They provide leadership, act as a template for the development of NCO known as senior rates, although WOs situation
inspiration and motivation.” competencies. in the Royal Marines is closer to that of THE Compensation Scheme for
Balkan
The Year of the NCO aims to recognise And throughout 2008 NATO will spotlight the Army, with corporals, sergeants, colour Radiation Linked Diseases in the
the contribution made by NCOs as junior the contribution being made by NCOs. sergeants and warrant officers being classed as MOD is a joint initiative between
managers in all areas of military activity and NCOs are the vital link between the officer NCOs – although WOs are often regarded as a participating employers and their
the role they play in transforming the Alliance. cohort and the ranks. separate group. trades unions.
operation
Scheme members include
AWE plc, DML, Babcock Naval
Services, and BNFL, and is
AN OFFICIAL commemorative
administered by an independent
service to mark the withdrawal
Executive Secretary on behalf of
of UK Forces from Bosnia and
all participants.
Herzegovina will take place at
Claimants must be an
the Armed Forces Memorial,
Project Fisher trials
employee or ex-employee of
Staffordshire, on Thursday May
a scheme participant or a
22, and 1,000 tickets are available dependant, in the case of death.
for the event. A radiation dose record must
The service will give thanks exist for the individual, and they
for the outstanding contribution must have contracted or died
made by UK Forces in bringing from a disease covered by the
stability, security and peace to the scheme.
country.
take long-term view
This includes most (but not
MOD Minister for Veterans all) forms of cancer as well as
Derek Twigg said: “I am proud cataracts.
of the contribution that our
PROJECT Fisher has
should be manned in the future,
arrangements in the Surface future, building on the changes
Under the Nuclear
Armed Forces made in bringing completed its concept
with a view to addressing a
Flotilla. already introduced under Topmast
and Branch Development.
Installations Act 1965, licence
peace and stability to Bosnia and
number of long-term difficulties
Over the past five months, the
phase and the Navy Board It is not seeking to address
holders are liable for any harm
Herzegovina.
– in particular, the changing shape
project team has identified and
today’s issues of gapping and
arising from site operations and
“It is fitting that we are
has approved the next phase of the Fleet, especially as the shift
analysed almost 30 different ways
churn, where there is much work
negligence need not be proven.
remembering their contribution
of work.
to leaner-manned ships such as
of manning some or all of the
already under way, although
Although compensation claims
through this commemorative This will involve developing a
T45 will significantly reduce
ships.
obviously where project proposals
may be settled by reference to
service, especially those who lost
range of detailed proposals for
the number of junior rate billets
Many originated from
can be used to solve current
the courts, such recourse can be
their lives.
manning system adjustments,
available to grow experienced
suggestions made by personnel
problems, they will be.
lengthy and expensive.
“The success in Bosnia and
senior ratings for the future.
serving at sea, in the organisations
some of which will be trialled Project Fisher is also an integral
The Compensation Scheme is
Herzegovina demonstrates what
If left alone, this will seriously
closely involved in supporting
part of the Navy Board’s Personnel
designed to be faster, less costly,
can be achieved through a unified
later in the year.
threaten the sustainability of
them, such as Flotilla and
Change Programme (NBPCP).
less traumatic and adopts a less
international presence.”
Changes to the manning system
personnel structures.
waterfront manning office staffs,
Finally, the Navy Board is
vigorous test than applied by the
Tickets are available for the
for ships are essential to ensure
Equally, with a smaller number
as well as from Senior Rate
very aware that there is already a
courts.
commemorative service for
a sustainable supply of qualified
of ships – albeit very much more
Command Courses.
great array of change under way
It should be borne in mind
veterans of the conflict, and the
personnel to the Naval Service
capable ones – the RN will need
These ideas include some of
affecting people.
that cancer is one of the
families and friends of those who
and to exploit the operational
to be able to operate as flexibly
the arrangements tested in the Sea
It is therefore adamant that any
most common diseases in the
lost their lives.
potential of highly-capable new
as possible.
Swap trials.
adjustments to future manning
developed world.
An application form can be
ships such as the Type 45s and the This means, wherever possible,
Following an initial assessment
arrangements, however vital, will
Around one in three of the UK
downloaded from www.veterans-
future carrier. manning ships and front-line units
of the potential advantages
only be introduced after thorough
population contracts the disease,
uk.info or by calling the free ticket
Project Fisher is a long-term in such a way that, if required, they
and disadvantages of each, and
examination of the lessons learnt examination under realistic
and around one in four die from
line on 0800 169 2277.
programme, and any decision on can be deployed for much longer,
from Sea Swap, the project has conditions, and only when they can
it, thus not all cases applying to
Each successful application
future manning options will be and much more flexibly than at
now completed its concept phase clearly be proven to be of benefit.
the scheme will be successful.
will receive two tickets, and
subject to thorough examination. present, whilst still providing high-
work and presented its findings to This is why the full trials The purpose of the scheme is
the closing date for ticket
This means conducting an quality harmony and personal
the Navy Board. programme will take several years to attempt to distinguish cases
applications is Tuesday April
extended series of manning trials stability for our people.
The Navy Board has agreed to complete, why Fisher is a long- where there is a reasonable
22.
over the coming years, building Changes to front-line manning
that a selected number of manning term programme, and why, if probability that they have been
on the Sea Swap approach and regimes are therefore essential
some options do not work as well caused by occupational radiation
The MOD aims to contact all
options will now be developed
lessons identified. – doing nothing is not an option.
as initially expected, you may see exposure from those where there
successful applicants by May 2.
further and trialled.
Project Fisher, the Navy’s Because the effect of lean
certain trials (and associated work- is a low probability.
Thousands of UK personnel
Within this programme, early
Flexible Manning initiative, was manning is most significant in the
streams) altered or terminated. It is an essential feature of the
served in Bosnia and Herzegovina
priorities will be to:
stood up by the Navy Board last newest surface ships, the project
Project Fisher remains the Navy
(BiH) from 1992 to 2007, playing
Investigate the benefits of junior scheme that compensation cases marina
year to look at how warships has focussed initially on manning
Board’s highest priority personnel
a vital peacekeeping role in support
rate squadding across ships of the are never closed.
change programme, but its success
of the UN, NATO and the EU.
same class within a region; In the event of further evidence
Secure significant improvements remains crucially dependent on
The war that divided the multi-
marina becoming available, such as
in the delivery of AB2 task-book Navywide engagement.
ethnic population broke out in
changes to a claimant’s dose
training and achievement of OPS; There have been excellent
Bosnia during 1992, and was
history or advances in scientific
Optimise the management of contributions from a number of
brought to an end with the Dayton
marina or medical knowledge, cases can
T45 personnel; units and commands, all of which
Peace agreement of 1995.
be reassessed.
Optimise the management of have been incorporated into the
UK personnel remained in the
marina Applicants may apply
manpower across capital ship project’s work to date.
country for a further 12 years to
through their trade union, or
types. Trial and experimentation is
assist in fulfilling the terms of the
to the Compensation Scheme
Furthermore, the project will the key to longer-term success;
agreement.
Executive Secretary, B582/IFS
also begin detailed development of for those involved, either directly
During the 15-year campaign
British Nuclear Group Sellafield,
proposals both for manning FF/DD or in a supporting role, it is your
55 members of the UK Armed
Cumbria CA20 1PE, tel 01946
ships using a three-watch system, opportunity to help shape the
Forces lost their lives – their names
774716.
similar to that in use for the survey future.
are listed on the Memorial – and
The scheme is entirely
flotilla, and separately using a more Project Fisher is being led by
many more were injured.
voluntary; claimants can choose
innovative ‘modular’ approach. Cdre Ian Corder with a dedicated
The Bosnian death toll after the
whether to use the scheme or
The Navy Board will consider team based in Leach Building
war ended in 1995 was reported
to take legal action against their
these in the summer, and decide within the Fleet HQ.
to be at least 100,000-110,000,
employer for radiation injury.
whether either or both should be Further details will unfold
military and civilian, with over 1.8
The trade unions recommend the
trialled as well. over the coming months, and the
million people forcibly displaced
scheme.
Throughout all of this work it is project team will keep personnel
from their homes.
Full details on how the Scheme
emphasised that Project Fisher’s informed through face-to-face
operates is available on the
RNPT date
primary focus is on finding the briefings, road shows and further
Scheme’s website at www.csrld.
best manning solutions for the IC messages as appropriate.
org.uk
THE next RN Presentation Team’s
event is on Wednesday March 5
Clear signal
at the Town Hall, Burton-upon-
● The silver woodpeckers presented to HMS Warspite in 1926 Aiming high
Trent.
THE British Forces Broadcasting
Anyone wanting to book a place
Service (BFBS Radio) is providing
THE Guild of Air Pilots and ideas of people who control
at this presentation should contact Navigators (GAPAN) are aircraft in the air.
the RNPT on 020 8833 8020 or
Warspite’s woodpeckers
the missing communications link
for the British Forces.
For the first time, BFBS Radio
currently trying to attract Perhaps the most important
email rnpt@gtnet.gov.uk
THESE two silver woodpeckers Allied convoys heading for Greece. is being heard on-air in Great
as many high-calibre function of the Guild is to help
It’s your 2-6
perched on tree stumps (trophy Air strikes achieved two torpedo Britain via DAB digital radio in a
applications as possible set and maintain standards
numbers 12511 and 25235) hits, one slowing the Italian trial of the service which started in
to their 2008 Scholarships of conduct among aviators.
were presented in 1926 to the fl agship and the other halting the mid-January.
Programme. They are offering complete
NEED to get your message battleship HMS Warspite by Lady cruiser Pola completely. BFBS Radio – part of the Services
The Guild is concerned PPLs (fixed wing) and
across to the rest of the RN? Chamberlain, who had named the Admiral Iachino detached a Sound and Vision Corporation
with every technical aspect Instructor Ratings (fixed wing
To feature in 2-6 contact Lt Cdr ship at launch in 1913. squadron led by cruisers Fiume (SSVC) – has been broadcasting
of flying, from safety to and rotary) bursaries for further
Gregor Birse (Fleet Media Ops), The battleship was fl ying and Zara to support the Pola, to British forces overseas since navigational aids, airport Instructor qualifications and a
93832 8809 or Lt Cdr Harvey the fl ag of Admiral Sir Andrew which was ambushed the same 1943, and currently has bases in 11 facilities to training methods, Jet Orientation Course.
Burwin (DPR(N)), 9621 85984. Cunningham in March 1941, evening by a squadron led by countries, including Iraq, Germany and in particular with new Application paperwork and
leading a force of two further battleship HMS Valiant. and the Falkland Islands. developments in aircraft and further information on these
battleships, a carrier, three cruisers In the ensuing action off Cape Now, through the pioneering their handling. and other scholarships and
and 16 destroyers (including three Matapan, the Italians – who were trial, the service will be available It is a unique organisation, as bursaries are available on
Australian ships), when an Italian not equipped to fi ght at night across mainland Britain and can
its membership is restricted to the website www.gapan.org
force was intercepted in the Med. – lost all three cruisers and two be received on any DAB digital
qualified pilots and navigators The closing date for the PPL
The Italian ships, led by Admiral destroyers, costing more than radio.
and therefore it can truly claim and Instructor applications is
Angelo Iachino in the battleship 2,000 lives, while the British lost See www.ukdigitalradio.com
to bring together the views and April 9.
Vittorio Veneto, were set to attack the three-man crew of a bomber.
for more details.
News and information for serving personnel
0034-035_NN_mar.indd 134-035_NN_mar.indd 1 119/2/08 18:42:159/2/08 18:42:15
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52