Defence Reserves

“The Defence Reserve Support Council links the Australian Government and Defence with the employers and peak community organisations from which Reserves are drawn.”(1) _{Speech by Senator Sandy MacDonald at the ACT Employer Support Awards Dinner 6/4/06}

"“The Defence Reserves Support Council (DRSC) is a national organisation designed to provide a link between the Australian Defence Force (ADF), employers and community organisations from which the Reserve force is drawn. Each State the Northern Territory and the ACT have committees of the Council and some states have committees established in the larger regional centres. Membership of the Council is voluntary and representatives from industry, small business, trade unions, youth and other interested community groups currently participate at the national, state and regional levels."The Mission of the DRSC is: to enhance the availability of the Reserve Component of the ADF by promoting the benefits of Reserve service to, and by establishing a flexible partnership with, the community in general and employers in particular.”"" (2)

History

Defence Reserves have played an important part in Australian history since early colonial days.

The Reserve pre-dates Federation, when each of the States (colonies at the time) maintained locally based naval and army militia. These forces served in the Sudan, in China during the Boxer Rebellion and in South Africa during the Boer War.

The modern Australian Army was drawn from this base at Federation on 1 January 1901, with the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force following some years later.

Volunteers participated in active service during World Wars I and II, with large numbers transferring into the permanent armed forces. At the end of hostilities, many seasoned veterans returned to the Reserve force, maintaining a pool of expertise and experience to be drawn on in a defence emergency.

In the years between the two World Wars, the Reserve maintained strong links with many community and State-based units. Since World War II, the role has changed gradually from separate Reserve units and formations with their own identities and roles, to a concept where permanent and Reserve personnel have combined to form a strong and viable force.

With Australia's regular Army not formed until 1948, the Reserve has been a fundamental part of the nation's defence policy. (3)

What are Reservists

Defence Reserves are a fundamental part of the Australian Defence Force and play a key role in safeguarding Australia's security.
Reservists join the Navy, Army or Air Force as part-time members. There are about 41,546 active and standby Reservists, which represents about 42% of the ADF. They are volunteers who bring with them civilian skills and experience and who are given the opportunity to gain new skills as part of their Reserve training.

Reservists can join as new recruits or can transfer from the full-time Defence Force. They are people prepared to take on the challenge of training and through their dedication and time, show a strong commitment to Australia. (4)

What the Reservists do

People joining the Reserve make a commitment to train and serve in the defence and protection of Australia.
The Reserve has contributed to every major conflict in which Australia has been involved since before Federation. Today we are increasingly drawing on the skills and expertise of Reservists to maintain the Defence Force's capability.
In recent years they have provided humanitarian relief to tsunami and earthquake victims in our region and operations in the Middle East, Solomon Islands and elsewhere. They have served alongside their full-time counterparts in peace missions to East Timor and Bougainville and they regularly deploy a rifle company to Malaysia as part of Australia's commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangement.
Reservists played key security roles at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
They also make a valuable contribution to the community, providing assistance in times of natural disasters such as floods, droughts and fires and in emergency rescue operations. (5)

Exercise Executive Stretch

"What is it?"

Exercise Executive Stretch (EES) is aimed at senior, middle and line management to show and involve them in the types of invaluable skills that can be gained through participation in the Reserve. It is hoped that employers will be encouraged to support their employees who are in the Reserve following their participation in this activity.
Reserve training is about personal development and organisational skills - those strengths valued by employers. The Directorate of Employer and Industry Engagement, in conjunction with the state and territory committees of the DRSC, regularly conduct EES - usually a weekend activity designed to showcase Reserve training to employers. EES is sometimes shorter, depending on the state or territory hosting the activity.

"What is its Purpose?"

The purpose of EES is to bring together members of the Reserve and the business community, who are employers or potential employers of Reservists, by inviting these employers to participate in a weekend of physical and intellectual challenge in an ADF environment.

"What are the benefits?"

The benefit to the ADF is the opportunity to provide members of the business community with first-hand experience of the ADF training philosophy and of the training methods used by the ADF. Ideally, it is hoped that employers will, as a consequence, understand that their employee's involvement in the Reserve will benefit their business. Additionally, employers will be more inclined to encourage participation by the employees in Reserve activities, including the release of Reservists for periods of continuous training or deployment.
"How is EES conducted?"

Generally EES participants are invited to arrive at an ADF training establishment on a Friday evening. They are then briefed on the exercise and receive some basic instruction in skills, such as map reading, that they may need over the weekend. On the Saturday morning a series of group and individual activities herald the start of a stimulating and intense main phase of the program that continues until mid-morning on the Sunday, when activities cease and the participants return home.

"What are typical EES Activities?"
A typical EES has an adventurous nature and can combine a range of activities including:
• Leadership, confidence and initiative tests;
• Team building exercises;
• Navigation theory and practice;
• Bush craft;
• Communications;
• Quick decision exercises; and
• Abseiling and rappelling exercises. (8)

Boss Lift

Participating in one of the Directorate of Employer and Industry Engagement's Boss Lift activities is a way to learn first-hand about what the Australian Defence Force does on exercises and operations.

Further, employers involved in Boss Lift gain a valuable insight into the benefits that Reserve service brings back to the civilian workplace.

Often there is also an opportunity for employers to actually see their employees working as Reservists. (8)

References

(1) Defence Ministers & Parliamentary Secretary Website [http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/MacdonaldSpeechtpl.cfm?CurrentId=5541 http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/MacdonaldSpeechtpl.cfm?CurrentId=5541]

(2) ACT & Chamber of Commerce & Industry Website [http://www.actchamber.com.au/files/Affiliations/defenceReserves.html http://www.actchamber.com.au/files/Affiliations/defenceReserves.html]

(3) Defence Reserves Website [http://www.defencereserves.com/aspx/history.aspx www.defencereserves.com/aspx/history.aspx]

(4) Defence Reserves Website [http://www.defencereserves.com/aspx/what_are_reserves.aspx www.defencereserves.com/aspx/what_are_reserves.aspx]

(5) Defence Reserves Website [http://www.defencereserves.com/aspx/what_are_reserves.aspx www.defencereserves.com/aspx/what_are_reserves.aspx]

(6) Defence Reserves Website [http://www.defencereserves.com/aspx/training_requirements.aspx www.defencereserves.com/aspx/training_requirements.aspx]

(7) Defence Reserves Website [http://drs.deadline.net.au/aspx/exec_overview.aspx www.drs.deadline.net.au/aspx/exec_overview.aspx]

(8) Defence Reserves Website [http://drs.deadline.net.au/aspx/bosslift_overview.aspx www.drs.deadline.net.au/aspx/bosslift_overview.aspx]