New policy for Services

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34152, 13 May 1976, Page 16

New policy for Services

A radical new engagement policy is likely to be offered to New Zealand’s 12,500 servicemen and women as from September 1.

Its main emphasis will be to offer recruits and serving personnel an “open ended” engagement of up to 20 years guaranteed service rather than the limited terms which have prevailed since the end of World War 11. The new policy, which has been formulated by Ministry iof Defence planners over the last two years, has yer to be (passed by the Government, i The policy is at present being explained to senior officers at all New Zealapd defence establishments by a team led bv the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (personnel), Brigadier A- H. Sutton. The information will soon be passed down the lines of command, so that probably before the end of

the month most servicemen and women will have a better idea of its details. One of the foremost advantages for servicemen and women is that under the proposed policy, only 12 months notice is required to obtain a release; and this is graded in that the longer one serves, the shorter the time of notification required. However, the defence authorities reserve a qualifying clause about the need for “operational requirements” in some acute trades. What the Armed Services seek to achieve with the new engagement policy is simply to offer a better deal for those contemplating a career jin the services.

They also hope to produce a more stable employment pattern within the three services by improving the benefits for long-term skilled servicemen so that the military opportunities are just as good as those obtained in civilian employment.