June - Department of Defence

Are we that short-staffed?Today I witnessed something ratherodd in the Naval Dockyard inSimon's Town. Call me old-fashioned,but I felt it my duty, as a WarrantOfficer and gentleman, to enquirefrom two Able Seamen SWANS(female sailors) why they were taskedwith what seemed to be heavylabour. Let me explain: A ten-tontruck was parked at the ChapmanSouth Recreation Hall, fully ladenwith plastic chairs. The two SWANS,petite as they were, including aLeading Seaman (male), who Iassumed was the driver, constitutedthe labour force responsible for theloading. Upon my approach andenquiry, I was told that they weremembers of the ship's company (SASDRAKENSBERG), stores section, andthat it was their job as storekeepers totransport and load these chairs andreturn them to the ship. They wereactually tasked by their commanderto do so. These two females were soexhausted I could not help but feelsorry for them. Surely, despite manyan argument that women in the DODare given equal opportunities, and assuch should tackle any job at hand, Istrongly believe that a person in managementshould use his commonsense and initiative to delegate tasksto members who are suitable for thetask at hand.Any "buffer" on a ship wouldgladly spare a few "hands" in assistingwith the unpleasant task which, Ifeel, though they may be sailors, theyare still women. No wonder the abuseof women (and children) is nowadaysthe norm. As I said… are we thatshort staffed? - WO2 T.S. Fish,Simon's Town.* Cdr Susan Denman, SO1 HRPlans at the Navy Office providedthe following comment - Ed:"Thank you for your letter andyour concern for your fellow sailors.The SA Navy's approach to EqualOpportunities is stated in theAffirmative Action/Equal Opportunitypolicy. In layman's terms this meansthat everybody has a choice. Thisdoes not mean that women shouldtackle any job at hand, but that theycould do so.However, you are quite right, asmanagers we need to ensure that oursubordinates are not utilised abovetheir physical, or other limitations andthey should have enough trust in usto speak up if need be. Unfortunatelythe SAS DRAKENSBERG is currentlydeployed and we could not refer thematter to the Commander for input.By the way, there are no SWANSin the SA Navy. The abbreviation ofthe South African Women's AuxiliaryNaval Service, SWANS, is no longerin use.”Keeping up with international trends8Just a few suggestions regarding uniforms,in keeping with internationaltrends.Firstly, the US and Europeanarmies have added to their uniform(for some time now) smallstripes/bars worn on the lower leftsleeve of the service dress (step-outs).Each bar denotes three (four in theUS army) years of service in thearmed forces. (Refer to pictures inany history book of GeneralEisenhower.)The stripes are the same colour asthe stripes of the NCOs, usually yellow.When red stripes are added theydenote service in combat or overseas.The old Union Defence Force hadsuch a system during World War II.This, if introduced, will be worn withpride by members of the SANDF forall to see the years of dedicated servicethey have given to their country.A different colour stripe could beadded, denoting years of service inthe armed struggle.Secondly, the British and Austrianarmies have, as we have now adopted,bars to service medals. Theirs,however, are the service medal for 5Years of Exemplary Service and a barfor every five years after that up toforty years' service. Why not adoptthe same system of years in theSANDF. Come on - reward someonewho has been an example for fiveyears. This will make the medal moreobtainable and will serve as an inspirationto do better, knowing that onedoes not have to wait for ten years forone medal and another ten years forone bar - Sgt John Mathubane, email.* Lt Col Eddie Watson, SO1Heraldry at DOD Heraldry Sub-Directorate, commented as follows - Ed:"Sgt Mathubane is quite correctwhen he states that a number of foreignarmed forces manifest good conductor long service on the uniform ofa rank by means of chevrons, stripes,stars or by some other means.It is also the case that combat serviceis normally indicated by means ofanother colour used to manufacturethe device, as compared to peacetimeservice.The Sub-directorate Heraldryhas a number of reference worksthat illustrate this practice as it isimplemented internationally.It is, however, not generally thecurrent practice within the DOD toadd anything to the standard uniformto indicate good service for a periodof less than ten years. The soleexception is that the SA Navy still hassuch a system of good conductchevrons in place for petty officers orbelow.The question of changing theperiod of service before a memberreceives a service medal or barpossibly warrants consideration. Thiswould mean, however, that the subdirectoratewould have to deal withmedals and decorations as thewarrant authorising the award of the"Troue Diens Medalje" would have tobe redrafted. Any such change wouldalso have to receive Presidentialapproval.I trust this information is adequatefor your needs. Colour copies ofmaterial illustrating this matter can besupplied if needed."S A S O L D I E R • J U N E 2 0 0 4