Raaf Hit Hard by Increasing Resignations

For instance, in May (the latest figures available) total RAAF strength was 22,568: This was 50 less than in the previous month and 258 below the May 1985 figure, representing a shortfall of almost 230 on the current target strength. Numbers in all ranks have fallen, even for officer cadets and apprentices over the past 12 months. Although the number of officers increased slightly during May, this disguises the rapid turnover which is depleting the RAAF of valuable skills and experience.

The manpower problem is due to a combination of three factors. Many personnel recruited during the Vietnam War are now reaching their 20 years in service and are retiring with full-Service benefits, causing the ‘bulge’ in retirement figures.

But resignations without full pension are just as common. In some cases where there is even a financial incentive to remain in the force resignations continue, apparently reflecting widespread discontent with service pay and conditions.

At the same time, there appears to be a consistent failure to attract enough Suitable recruits to an Air Force career. Surprisingly, the RAAF has been the hardest hit of all the Services, although it generally enjoys a more glamorous image in the community which the Navy and Army believe gives it an advantage in drawing young and talented recruits.

These factors are not confined to the Air Force. All three services have been severely affected, but each in different ways. For the RAAF, the main problem is the officer brain drain while the Army is reeling from a huge fallout of other ranks, with a massive 14% of its total personnel expected to leave this financial year. Pilot resignations are hitting the Air Force particularly hard, because the specialised abilities and training needed always makes it hard to find enough of the right people. Last financial year, 72 pilots or 15% of the total resigned or retired, compared to 65 the previous year and only 42 in 1983.

The Chief of the Defence Force, General Sir Phillip Bennett says the number of pilots is now below that necessary to maintain the necessary ratio of pilots to combat aircraft needed for surge capacity, “We might run out of steam if we don’t pick up from the number of pilots we’ve got”, he said in a recent interview.

Similar conclusions were reached by Wing Commander C. L Mills in a major study on personnel losses earlier this year. “Loss rate data indicates that loss. Rates are likely to increase. Recent establishment inspections have demonstrated that the RAAF has barely sufficient manpower to meet current commitments,” the report stated. “If the workforce loss rates increase as expected, the RAAF will not have sufficient manpower to meet all its tasks. ” Further evidence of the RAAF’s dire straits was given at a Senate Estimates committee hearing last April. Air Commodore Prior admitted there were only 14 crews trained for maritime reconnaissance, to serve in 20 aircraft. He also revealed that the establishment requirement for fighter pilots was about 18 per fighter squadron, but all that could be managed at present was about 13 or 14 per squadron.

Air Commodore. Prior attributed the problem to budget restraint and wastage of experienced pilots. “It’s a combination of difficulties associated with the number of hours and aircraft that we have available to train”, he said. “It has to do with the throughput in our flying instructor courses, wastage rates and tiie like.

There are many factors that influence it and we have had great difficulty trying to get up the numbers that are required. Most importantly, it is the number of flying hours that we can afford to fly. ”

According to the Defence Department, the high wastage rates from the RAAF and other services is due to the ‘hump’ of Vietnam recruits now bowing out. However, the Department’s own statistics show that this is not the major factor in the loss of key staff.

In May, 119 personnel left the Air Force, Only 44 of these left after 20 years or more service, compared to 51 who left at the end of their term after less than 20 years and 19 who terminated their service on request. Among officers, four resigned with a full pension, two resigned without any pension and nine terminated with short service commissions.

Personnel leaving the forces are not required to give their reasons, but officers are given termination interviews. According to confidential files, the four main reasons given are: decreasing job satisfaction, family reasons, degradation of pay and conditions and fears that the Defence Force Retirement Benefits would be changed in the recent (August) budget.

Wing Commander Mills in his study also rejected the notion that the 20 year syndrome was to blame. He said that in reducing the Force’s wastage, “Financial rewards for service are a major factor and are beyond the control of the Services. Thus maximising Defence Force operations capability is the joint responsibility of Service manpower managers and the government. ”

He added, “The conclusion is that RAAF manpower is at a critical point and if loss rates increase without an increase in manpower allocation (budget), then operational tasks will have to be surrendered. ”

In relation to pilots, General Bennett specifically pointed to competition, if not poaching, by commercial airlines which can offer much better remuneration. “They are prepared to take less experienced pilots from the Air Force, give them more training and use them in the commercial airlines,” he said.

At the other end of the process is the shortfall of recruits. In the March quarter last year, 853 recruits joined the Air Force. Since then, the number has fallen in all but one quarter, until in the three months to last June only 290 new recruits signed up – just 33. 9% of the intake 15 months before. The Defence Department 1984/85 annual report commented on the shortfall of recruits to all the services. It stated that 7325 recruits were needed that year to make up for wastage, but only 93% of this was achieved. Since then the situation has only worsened. “This is largely attributable to the high level of selectivity required to ensure a suitable standard of trainees, a reduction in public interest in defence force careers and financial restrictions on recruiting campaigns,” the report stated.

Opposition Defence spokesman, Ian Sinclair, has called for a detailed inquiry by the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal into defence pay, housing and conditions. In particular, he wants a comparison with the conditions in the private sector and the public service. Mr Sinclair says the study by Wing Commander Mills is a warning to the government. “The implications of this study for defence strategy and the future of the RAAF are disturbing,” he said. “The Dibb report calls on the RAAF to take the leading role in the defence of Australia, but it must now be clear that its capacity to undertake this role is under threat”.

But it is not just the RAAF that is looking thin. For the first time, the combined service strength fell below 70,000 last April, to 69,887. In May, the situation worsened with a further net loss of 71, although the target strength remained 70,333. While Defence Minister Kim Beazley has played down the significance of the figures, Mr Sinclair echoed the feelings of many in the forces when he called the continuing outflow “disastrous”.

“It shows that the government’s squeeze on personnel is seriously weakening our defence capability. The government must act quickly and forcefully to turn around the increasingly dangerous trend in personnel losses if our forces are to be kept fully operational.