36 NAVY NEWS, APRIL 2008
News and information for serving personnel
Singular scheme enters second phase
THE MOD’s scheme to improve (Single Living Accommodation will also look at ways of bringing some
Service accommodation is about to Modernisation) is being shared of the Grade 3 and 4 for condition up
enter its second phase. among the RN establishments with to Grades 1 or 2.
The Defence Secretary announced the aim of reducing multi-occupancy The aim was to try to spread
in 2001 a scheme to fund rooms except for trainees. delivery so that each site had some
Reservists
improvements across the Services. To date 6,600 bedspaces have been new build. However the challenges
The new or modernised built or refurbished across the RN ahead will be trying to build new
accommodation comprises a single estate, giving some 10,000 bedspaces and modern accommodation with the
undergo
room with a 4ft bed, an en-suite shower at Grades 1 or 2 for condition out of a constraints of historic sites such as
room and ample storage facilities. total requirement of over 22,000. Dartmouth and RM Stonehouse.
Communal snack preparation and A further 2,300 are scheduled to be The new accommodation has
revitalised
utility rooms provide shared washing built by March 2013, and it is hoped been welcomed by users – one
machines, tumble dryers and fridges. that in addition a further upgrade of individual said: “I used to have rented
Rising construction costs and the JR accommodation at HMS Raleigh accommodation outside for the
MOD’s financial constraints have will also be achievable by 2013. weekends, now I have a home here on
training
had an impact, but Project SLAM A new drive from Project SLAM base, I have stopped renting.”● New accommodation under construction at Culdrose
A SENIOR administrator, a
Training
legal adviser and a toolmaker
were among the first to undergo
a revitalised new entry training school is
course for Royal Navy Reservists
OJAR marks start
held at HMS Raleigh.
In the first major review for
scorching
more than 20 years, changes to
the two-week course have focused
on developing military team-
working skills and re-aligning
success
the course with the standards
expected of their full-time
of JPA appraisals
THICK smoke billows through
counterparts.
the cabin as Chris Kirkpatrick
A total of 16 new recruits to
directs a hose at the roaring fire
the RNR, aged between 18 and
on a bunk bed.
THE launch of the JPA
for all OJARs compiled within a contact the RN/RM JPA Appraisal It is this data that will auto
40, took part in the first course.
It is hot, noisy, and there is
dedicated geographical area. Team on PNB (9380) 27465 and populate the front page of your
They were mainly drawn from
Officers Joint Appraisal
marina Presentations and Workshops
water spraying everywhere.
arrange for the team to attend. Appraisal Report – see RNTM
the Liverpool-based RNR unit Report (OJAR) on March
But within moments the lights
It is important that you are ready Unit Appraisal Administrators 52/08 for further details – and
HMS Eaglet, and HMS Flying
31 heralded the start of the for JPA OJAR implementation and are key people in the process, and to ensure this happens, make
have flicked on, the fire has
Fox, located in Bristol.
disappeared and the smoke is
appraisal implementation
know what is required of you. consequently workshops are being sure you complete these sections
Cdre Stephen Thorne, Hopefully, you have your copy conducted to give more in-depth in Self-Service: Employee
sucked from the cabin.
Commodore Maritime Reserves,
process across the Naval
of the tri-Service JPA Appraisal guidance and hands-on practice to Preferences (location, job type,
Chris takes a breather from
was the inspecting officer at the
Service.
Introduction Booklet and had those holding this responsibility. career aspirations) and Personal
learning how to tackle a fire in
recruits’ passing-out parade. From that date, all RN and the opportunity to attend one of Workshops can also be arranged Objectives (agreed by your line
a ‘hot’ training unit at the RN/
Among the successful recruits
Flagship firefighting school in
RM officers reports are now
the 100 or more presentations to by contacting the JPA Appraisal manager).
was Ross Bevan (25), from
Portsmouth.
compiled and submitted on
date. Team on the number above. Should you need help to
Ormskirk.
We focus on Chris for one
JPA.
The presentations give you Self-Service Actions update your personal information marina
reason – he is the 100,000th
A legal adviser at Bury
The JPA Appraisal Team will
an overview of a process that is It is vital that you take ownership via Self–Service, visit the JPA
student to pass through the
Magistrates Court, Ross was
continue to provide guidance and
applicable to everyone. of your Appraisal Report and Appraisal Support website http://
school, which embraces
awarded the Captain’s Prize as
support during the roll-out, but
If your unit has yet to receive ensure that your JPA Self-Service royalnavy.defence.mod.uk/
facilities at HMS Excellent on
the trainee who achieved the best
with the focus quickly turning to
a presentation, don’t hesitate to information is up-to-date. persdivhb/jpa/index1.htm
Whale Island, HMS Raleigh in
results during the course.
the first reports for sub-lieutenants Cornwall and at Glasgow.
Ross said: “The course was
and captains RM, they think it is And the firefighting training
hard and exceptionally tiring, but
a good time to highlight the action team is celebrating that
overall thoroughly enjoyable.”
that needs to be taken by all milestone, which has been
Senior administrator Karen
officers and where to find help. achieved in seven years.
Johnson (34), from Bridgwater,
marina Compiling JPA OJARS Chris and his 99,999
joined the RNR last June.
Depending on where you are colleagues, both military and
She is married to a serving RN
serving and your access to JPA, civilian, have been taught to
warrant officer and belongs to
there are three ways to compile tackle fires with confidence on
HMS Flying Fox.
a JPA OJAR, with the help of board a ship, training in one
Karen said: “I joined the RNR
your nominated Appraisal of eight facilities which tower
to serve my country and be part
Administrator, of course: three storeys high.
of a team.
JPA Online: This is the first- Their instructors are Royal marina
“Highlights of the course were
choice method and should be Navy and Flagship staff who are
passing the fitness tests, camping
used ashore and at sea whenever all accredited by the Maritime
and walking on Dartmoor, and
practicable; and Coastguard Agency.
the firearms training.”
JPA Deployed Offline: Seagoing Designed to replicate the
marina
The new course includes
units and some deployed units inside of a ship, the hot training
weapons-handling training and an
can use this option wherever it is units teach students what to do
introduction to basic firefighting.
appropriate and feasible, but the if they discover a fire and how
There is closer integration
recommendation is that the online to safely tackle a fierce blaze.
with the full-time RN trainees
application should be used until
undergoing their initial training,
Trainees have to carefully
the offline version can be proved
with both sets of trainees
extinguish the controlled
and regularly synchronised;
joining together for ship visits,
propane fl ames while
marina Non-Standard Appraisal
orienteering exercises and
● An Iraqi serviceman, his face obscured for security reasons, learns to play rugby in Umm Qasr working their way through
Reports (NSAR): If the first two
a weekend under cover on
artifi cial smoke and
options fail, NSAR templates
Dartmoor.
‘challenging’ environments.
may be used as a last resort to
Cdr Ian Pethick, RNR Initial
complete the reporting process,
PO Kirkpatrick, who was
Training Officer, said: “We are
following the instructions in JSP
More than a passing fad
taking the advanced firefighting
extremely pleased with how well
757 Chapter 11.
course, said: “The training here
the new course went.
OJAR cells THE Royal Navy has a long tradition of spreading volleyball and basketball, so the first objective was to
is very realistic.
marina
“All the recruits passed the
Fleet units will continue to the rugby word around the globe. sell rugby as a game to the Iraqis.
“No expense is spared to
course, with some achieving 100
follow current practice and send And RN Senior XV Technical Analyst CPO Ash “Beginning at a very basic level, the first practices
ensure we receive the best
per cent in the final exam, and
completed reports, using the Coates is making sure that proud tradition continues were interesting and a challenge to say the least!
possible learning.
they all met the required fitness
Reporting Chain, to the same today by bringing the game to Iraqi sailors. “As the Iraqis spread the word to shipmates, interest
“At sea there aren’t any
standards.
regional OJAR cell as now. Ash said: “When I was deployed to Iraq the and turnout gradually increased week by week.
firefighters so it’s our job to be
“The trainees now have
But the role of these three prospect of developing as a rugby coach appeared “This was helped by showing the Rugby World
as prepared as possible.
a better understanding of
organisations will expand and unrealistic. Cup games as well as RN games from last season.
“It’s a really worthwhile
teamwork, a greater sense of
change with the roll-out of JPA “Fortunately, as part of the Naval Transition Team in “They became motivated and were enthusiastic
course, which is important, as
militarisation and they are much
Appraisal. Umm Qasr my Terms of Reference involved mentoring about taking the sport further.”
it puts you in good stead to go
more aware of their commitments
Responsibility for the initiation the development of the Iraqi Navy and Marines. Aims in early sessions involved getting the players to
back to sea.
to the Naval Service in a tri-
of an OJAR will pass to Unit “This included developing physical training, and understand the basics of rugby as well as having fun.
“I trained in the old-style
Service environment.”
Appraisal Administrators, while provided an opportunity to introduce rugby to the Initial problems included impressing upon them
units too, and since then they
The RNR is some 3,250-
each OJAR cell will undertake Iraqi sailors and Marines. that the ball cannot be passed forwards and that
have considerably changed.
strong, spread between 13 RNR
the checking and approving role “The top sport in Iraq is football, followed by players are not allowed to bounce it.
“There is more room, it’s
units across the UK.
easier to manoeuvre in the
suits and you feel very safe
It’s your 2-6
Com and join the RN website
knowing you are in a controlled
environment.”
Flagship Fire Fighting
NEED to get your message
Training Ltd, a wholly-owned
across to the rest of the RN?
THE RNCom community website was launched friends can see ship and unit individual areas. where families can meet up online and chat subsidiary of Flagship, along
To feature in 2-6 contact Lt
in June 2005, and with 5,000 members currently These mini websites are set up prior to a with other families of Service personnel. with VT Critical Services, won
Cdr Gregor Birse (Fleet Media
aboard it continues to grow in popularity. deployment with the help of dedicated RNcom Every member can access and use these the £150 million private finance
Ops), 93832 8809 or Lt Cdr
RNCom was set up to support all Naval community workers, who work with the ship to discussion forums and the range of topics initiative (PFI) contract in 1999
Harvey Burwin (DPR(N)), 9621
Service personnel and their families, including make sure that all of the families are informed discussed is endless. to design, build, operate and
85984.
reservists. about the site and provide a link between the One of the main benefits to the Service maintain the RN’s firefighting
It consists of two areas, an outward-facing ships and the families when deployed. person is that membership comes with its training facilities.
website that can be accessed by everyone, and Eventually it is hoped that every ship or unit own RNCom Hotmail-type account that will Although primarily for training
a members-only area. that deploys will have a presence on the site. run through the DII and has full security RN personnel, the organisation
The outward-facing site acts as an information – there are currently 56 ships/units who have accreditation, which means RNCom can be also brings in money for the Navy
resource, with lots of useful information about signed up to RNCom and who regularly send accessed from desks when shore-based. by training civilian maritime and
the RN. It also has an online help desk. updates as newsletters, digital diaries or photos. If you or your family have not yet signed commercial organisations, with
The members’ area is an unclassified yet As well as information the members’ area up, next time you’re on the web go to www. crews in the superyacht sector
secure area where serving members, families and has a chat room and several discussion forums, rncom.mod.uk being the latest initiative.
News and information for serving personnel
0036-038_NN_apr.indd 136-038_NN_apr.indd 1 118/3/08 17:02:548/3/08 17:02:54
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