Transcript Slide 1

Use them or lose them?
Nick Jans
DEFENCE RESERVES ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
23rd OCTOBER 2010
Hugh Smith & Nick Jans, Use Them or Lose Them? Australia’s Defence Force Reserves, Armed
Forces & Society (forthcoming)
Abstract
The paper reviews the history of military reserves in Australia with particular reference to the Army reserves.
It shows how the importance of reserves in Australia has waxed and waned across the past two centuries, from an early
situation of primacy in the colonial period. The importance of reserves has re-emerged in the post-Cold War era, with
new forms of reserve organization evolving alongside “conventional” reserve forces.
We discuss the extent to which these developments need to be accompanied by attention to cultural and personnel
management issues and to enhanced reserves-regular integration.
Despite the challenge of juggling civilian employment with reserve commitments, most reservists appear to welcome a
greater, rather than a token, obligation to serve.
There is a viable and meaningful role for the reserves provided that the ADF and the government are prepared to devote
sufficient effort to them and to assign them appropriate tasks.
Reservists: taking it seriously
• Although commitment is a challenge, with, for example:
– 78% in part-time civilian employment
– Most coming from civilian fields such as “professional” (25%),
“manager/administrator” (16%), “associate professional” (14%)
• … demonstrated commitment is high, with:
– 44 days service on average in the previous 12 months
– 62% willing to undertake some continuous full-time service in the next
12 months
Source: ADF Census 2007
And being taken more seriously
GSO who would be likely to join the Reserve if they separated
from full-time service: change over the last decade
1996
2007/8
70%
64%
44%
34%
24%
22%
12%
0%
No
Possibly
Yes
Sources: 1996 questionnaire survey of GSO (N=198);
2007/8 interview survey (N=61)
Motivation to serve (Army)
Reservists
Regulars
To serve my country
SOLDIERS
To do something worthwhile
To help my (future) civilian career
To earn money
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%
“Very Important”
Reservists
Regulars
To serve my country
OFFICERS
To do something worthwhile
To help my (future) civilian career
To earn money
Source: High Readiness Reserve HR DSS survey 2002
(N=674); Critical Categories HR DSS surveys 20032006 (N=4,930)
0%
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
“Very Important”
Motivation to serve (Army)
Soldiers prepared to volunteer for
HRR, with no change to benefits
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
If used as "backfill"
If deployed
Source: High Readiness Reserve HR DSS survey 2002 (N=674)
Overall conclusion: Use ‘em or lose ‘em
• If:
– working in well-led teams
– with appropriate conditions of service
– having a relevant capability role
• Then:
– many if not most would welcome a greater, rather
than a token lesser, obligation to serve