Royal New Zealand Naval Association Inc.

THE NEW LATERAL RECRUITMENT CELL

By LTCDR Chalky Carr RNZN

As the arrival of the first Project Protector ship looms, the imperative to ensure we have the right people, at the right place, at the right time becomes increasingly obvious.  This requirement is, of course, not limited to Protector - there is also an ongoing need for us to ensure that we continue to meet the Navy’s personnel demands throughout the introduction of all seven ships and beyond.

To achieve this we already face a number of challenges caused by the current personnel structure gaps, which are particularly reflected in the shortages of effective LH, PO, LT and LTCDRs. We cannot fill these gaps simply by accelerated promotion, extensions of service or with new recruits and junior officers.  

We are therefore widening our recruiting pool, with a high priority on attracting candidates with previous service in the RNZN. We will also widen the pool with skilled candidates from foreign navies, and candidates from the Volunteer Reserve - in order to allow us to meet the individual rank and trade skill deficits.  

To identify, attract, manage, select and induct these suitably experienced and skilled personnel, a new Lateral Recruitment Cell has been established as part of CFPT’s organisation. The group, consisting of LTCDR Chalky Carr, WOPTI Grant Simpkins and Mrs Leslee Burtton, is now fully functional and has already had successful re-enlistments as well as fielding new enquiries each day.

WOPTI Simpkins says that “Robust recruitment processes have been developed to ensure the right people continue to be selected for service in our Navy.”

ACN (Pers), CAPT Kevin Keat, is keen to highlight that it is vitally important for our current sailors and officers not to feel threatened by the recruitment of these skilled individuals.

“The aim of the cell is to fill the current key experience shortfalls, to bring new skills and knowledge to the organisation, and most importantly to relieve the ‘high pers tempo’ to allow our people flexibility in their professional and private lives. In doing so we provide a much better all round and balanced environment in which to work.

“This greater flexibility means better opportunities for personal choice, where people might want for example to be employed out of branch, to deploy on Overseas Missions, or to have a better sea shore ratio.  For some the opportunities may relate to tertiary study, the taking of Long or Incentive Leave…or simply to be able to go home at a reasonable time at the end of the day! We therefore ask that, in line with our Core Values, you embrace the arrival of these new members (many who will be past shipmates) into our organisation and help them to feel as welcome as possible.”

We will profile new personnel in future issues of Navy Today. If you, or anyone you know, may be interested in re-joining or joining us please contact the Lateral Recruitment Cell on either:

• 09 445 5293,
• or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it