The future of the Communication Information Systems category for submariners is looking forward to a more productive future following a retention initiative to move their operations to Fleet Base West.
To address the retention initiative, approval was given by Chief of Navy for the relocation of the primary submarine communications capability from Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC) to HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
Lieutenant Colin Coke and Warrant Officer Communication and Information Systems Andrew Bertoncin, Officer In Charge DEFCOMMSTA Perth, at the official opening of the Submarine Communications Centre-West (SUBCOMMCEN-W) in the Defence Communications Station Perth (DEFCOMMSTA) at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
The development of this capability at Defence Communications Station Perth (DCS-PER) will establish the primary messaging support to submarines, with the new facility to be named Submarine Communications Centre - West (SUBCOMMCEN-W) with the old facility ASNCOMMCEN SUBOPAUTH to be named Submarine Communications Centre - Bungendore.
This initiative is a result of the Submarine Workforce Sustainability Review, commissioned in mid-2008 and conducted by RADM Rowan Moffitt.
Chief of Navy responded to evidence that a range of factors were placing pressure on Navy people in the submarine workforce, and impacting Navy’s ability to generate the required level of capability from the Submarine Force.
As a result of the review, RADM Moffitt made a number of proposals and adopted a comprehensive approach; identifying a broad range of organisational and cultural challenges within the Submarine Force.
RADM Moffitt proposed a range of practical and executable solutions in the form of 29 recommendations.
One result of the Moffitt Review for Submarine Sustainability stated that the Communications Information Systems Submariner (CISSM) category was assessed as being perilous.
The Defence Information and Communications Technology Committee (DICTC) addressed retention initiatives highlighted in the review and advised that a significant retention initiative would occur if the current Submarine Communications facility, Australian Naval Communications Centre Submarine Operations Authority (ASNCOMMCEN SUBOPAUTH) at HQJOC, Bungendore, was relocated to Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling.
The SUBCOMMCEN-W will be a component embedded within Defence Communications Station Perth.
The majority of the ASNCOMMCEN SUBOPAUTH workforce will be integrated with billeted personnel from the Chief Information Officer Group within DCS-PER. Eleven Navy billets (1 x POCISSM, 4 x LSCISSM and 6 x ABCISSM) from ASNCOMMCEN SUBOPAUTH will be relocated to DCS-PER to support submarine communications.
The integration of personnel from ASNCOMMCEN SUBOPAUTH within DCS-PER provides an opportunity for personnel, regardless of primary skill set, to further broaden their CIS knowledge. It allows sailors to remain within their submarine posting localities and maintains their family and friends support.
The silent nature of submarines relies on the guaranteed delivery system that is provided through the Submarine Fleet Broadcasts via SUBCOMMCEN-W.
In addition to this role, SUBCOMMCEN-W will provide additional CIS support to the surface fleet.
By sustainment and retention of Navy’s skilled CISSM workforce, the future sailors of SUBCOMMCEN-W will be able to guarantee this delivery in a more contented workplace, with greater support; both technically and personally than previous SUBCOMMCENs have had the ability to provide.
This relocation provides a range of interesting and exciting challenges. With retention at the heart of this initiative, Defence will be able to provide greater support and maintain a well balanced, supportive and productive workforce for Navy’s future and current CISSM sailors.
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