time for change, and I'm the mum for the job

[lavenderpegasus]

Ok I'm going to change the support services...What do you want?


let it flow!!!
lp in wa

[KJEmum]

One thing I want is more communication between spouses and DCO.
ie when you move here, you get DCO to organise meetups (with families willing to) and if they have a list so they can just email or send out invites etc. So far I've had to do the friend finding on my own and it has greatly involved the internet and then meeting up in person.

DFA are trying to bridge the gap by hopefully having a list of willing participatants who want to leave their brief details so new families or current ones in the locality can get in contact.

[MilkOnTap]

WOOT WOOT - GOOOOOO Samantha!!!

Okay what do I want...

1. Better communication (read: more reliable) between ship/spouse during deployments, exercises and sea jollies
2. Rotating crew for deployments longer than 4 months
3. The stupid 6 month deployment rule changed to 4 months (as in 6 month deployment before DCO will help with i'state travel for support etc)
4. I want to know what the hell a FLO is! I know you told me the other day Samantha, but that is the first time I've ever heard about a FLO in the 4yrs I've been a defence spouse.
5. More DCO services for new mum's
6. Automatic health benefits for defence families (not just the member)
7. Local points of contact for new families when they move for a posting (as in a list of where the nearest doctors, hospitals, SES etc are)
8. More frequent communication with defence families to see how we're doing/coping; whether member is deployed or not
9. Defence Playgroups should be FREE


Hmmm - thats all I can think of for now. Let me sleep on it :)

[Uniquey]

FLO- Is a 'Family Liaison Officer'

[KJEmum]

MOT in Cairns there is a rotating crew for the hydrographic survey ships Leeuwin & Melville which is blue crew and white crew. Would be a good idea to have a rotating crew for all ships going away for longer than 4mths. Nice idea there.

Another thing, it would be nice if prior to a deployment the ship could organise a gathering of families .. . which i know is wishful thinking as they are sooo buys prior to deployment.

ANd .. family grams like the submariner families get.. ie an email every 2wks or so telling them what's going on and how things are fairing.

[mummyof5]

From what I have heard from DH and his mates, the rotating crew set up does not work well, because there are actually 3 crews, one at sea on each ship, and one to replace the others with, if that makes sense? Something plays up, doesn't get sorted by crew 1, they post off (or onto ship 2, who's crew are replaced by crew that were ashore and so on), and next crew come on, say "not our problem, should have been sorted by last lot", so leave it and things are a bit of a mess. Mind you, this is all hearsay, but strikes me as how it would work.
There are not enough personnel in our navy at present, so they would be really hard pressed to rotate more ships company's. They are finding it hard to fill positions as is. That is why the FFG's are taking on the scheme of compliment, which is a farce in itself. Would love to see that scrapped, not that it directly impacts on me, only DH and his job.

Do the DH's on Anzac class ships have Mastis, so you get phone calls from sea now? I thought all ships in the fleet had it now, but maybe it is only FFG's?

I agree with the free playgroup. Cost of anything at the community houses should be bring a plate (or piece of fruit for playgroup), cause otherwise it is not always worth attending those things.

[AlirasMummy]

From what I have heard from DH and his mates, the rotating crew set up does not work well, because there are actually 3 crews, one at sea on each ship, and one to replace the others with, if that makes sense? Something plays up, doesn't get sorted by crew 1, they post off (or onto ship 2, who's crew are replaced by crew that were ashore and so on), and next crew come on, say "not our problem, should have been sorted by last lot", so leave it and things are a bit of a mess. Mind you, this is all hearsay, but strikes me as how it would work.
There are not enough personnel in our navy at present, so they would be really hard pressed to rotate more ships company's. They are finding it hard to fill positions as is. That is why the FFG's are taking on the scheme of compliment, which is a farce in itself. Would love to see that scrapped, not that it directly impacts on me, only DH and his job.

Do the DH's on Anzac class ships have Mastis, so you get phone calls from sea now? I thought all ships in the fleet had it now, but maybe it is only FFG's?

I agree with the free playgroup. Cost of anything at the community houses should be bring a plate (or piece of fruit for playgroup), cause otherwise it is not always worth attending those things.

My DH is on one of the 3 rotating crews that you are talking about in Cairns. We have found that it works great!
Problems don't get left for the new crew taking over the ship. All problems have to be sorted and the ship/rooms cleaned before they do a handover.
And it is also good because they do two months on the ship and then two months off

[mummyof5]

My DH is on one of the 3 rotating crews that you are talking about in Cairns. We have found that it works great!
Problems don't get left for the new crew taking over the ship. All problems have to be sorted and the ship/rooms cleaned before they do a handover.
And it is also good because they do two months on the ship and then two months off

Oh, I'm glad it's working better than I have been told. Still don't think it's a practical solution for a bigger crew though, nice as it would be...
And I wasn't talking about cleanliness, only completion of maitenance work etc, not always able to be finished in the allotted time frame for each crew,

[MilkOnTap]

Do the DH's on Anzac class ships have Mastis, so you get phone calls from sea now? I thought all ships in the fleet had it now, but maybe it is only FFG's?

I'm not sure what mastis is - but hubbies ship has only just been fitted with sat phones to make calls home since their last refit period (which they've just come out of). He did a gulf trip Mar-Sept 06 and was only able to call home when he was on land.

He's on a tour right now and it's been so much easier to communicate with the sat phone. There has been a load less stress on me. The phone and i'net does go down still (as often as it always has) but the extra phone calls while he's at sea make the difference.

[mummyof5]

Yes, MOT that is mastis. DH got it in the last refit too (this is the first deploment with it). I love being able to talk to him through weeks at sea, who would have thought 10 mins a day can make such a difference?

[KJEmum]

Wow you guys are lucky. My DH can't phone when he's at sea .. and he's in charge of communications. Not on this long deployment (RIMPAC).

I must ask him about it.

[lavenderpegasus]

KJEmum ANZAC doesn't have the right equipment so get him on a better ship...hehe


I don't always think it is a good idea that they can call while away, as much as I love hearing from hubby I hate the times I sit around waiting for that call and for some reason or another it doesn't happen. SO I'm left putting my life on hold for a 10minute call (which I love the call) I would rather the call from land. But I'm not going to say no to a 10 minute call.


lp in wa

[MilkOnTap]

KJEmum - i'm guessing your hubbies ship is due for re-fit soon; they'll probably get the new systems put in then. My hubbies ship just came out of re-fit (HMAS Ballarat - another ANZAC class) and they only just got it.

LP - I agree about the 10 min calls. As much as I love them it is a real let down when they dont call. I was expecting my call tonight and then got an email 20 mins ago saying that he had a toxic hazard exercise so couldn't call :( Oh well *throws hands in air*

[lavenderpegasus]

MOT- what is this friend of 'nut' thing am i missing something AGAIN???

[mummyof5]

I had the same thing happen last night only in our case it was a RAS. DH is really good though, he will walk past the phone and if no one is on it, jump on for a quick call so sometimes I have 3 5 min calls instead of one 10 min call, IYKWIM. The only gripe I have is I hardly get any emails anymore, even though as regulator for his section he logs on plenty of times a day.

[KJEmum]

Oh wow .. how cool.. MOT I believe the ship will be in refit next year for like 6mths.. Rumour has that it will be in Melbourne .. but there's also a gulf trip rumour. Either way DH will be away so umm the gulf for the $$ alone to get us out of the loan and cc hole would be great lol.

TBH DH is so busy he can't often scratch his **** so I'm not sure how that new system would be for him but I'll certainly be asking him about it. He's mr communications guru so should know when it's going to be installed hopefully.

[Seacretsquirrel]

My DH is on one of the 3 rotating crews that you are talking about in Cairns. We have found that it works great!
Problems don't get left for the new crew taking over the ship. All problems have to be sorted and the ship/rooms cleaned before they do a handover.
And it is also good because they do two months on the ship and then two months off

My DH is also on these crews in Darwin (Patrol Boats) and I know they are findign some aspects really challenging -esp the fact that there is not the consistent 2 months on 2 off my hubby was gone for 8 weeks back for about 3 then off again for 8 weeks. Whereas others seem to be home a lot more (a few days out a few home then out then home then the 4-8 weeks off) which I find really unfair, also the amount of work involved in the handovers is huge they basically have to do a stocktake at the beginning and end of each sea rotation which is a huge job!
But in saying that DH is loving being back at sea its just my PG hormones complaining!

I agree that the support is lacking, I think one of the best is Cerberus they have a monthly newsletter from the cottage (where they hold the playgroups etc) which has all those contact details, info on local libraries, babysitting and bin days even local markets and info on the inhome businesses in the area (avon makeup tuppaware etc). This was a great way to get everyone up to date regularly.

[mummyof5]

Catriona I think it might have been that rotational situation the boys were remarking on, not Cairns, as we were in Darwin at the time. It sucks that it doesn't turn out fair for everybody.

KJE Mum, I thought gulf trips were off the agenda now? Maybe got my wires crossed though.:o

[Seacretsquirrel]

I thought thats what I was saying sorry if I was unclear??? Preg brain is def kicking in
I was meaning that I know my DH is having some of these probs with the rotating crews too not anything to do with Cairns:confused:

[KJEmum]

Catriona, for me Darwin was a great place for support. Everyone working hand in hand.. ie DCO with the TopEnder .. with the playgroups, community houses and so on. It's a great environment to be in IMO. When DH is away I knew I could rely on my neighbours to help out if needed and visa versa. Given we lived on the RAAF Base for 2yrs, we knew our neighbours were defence. Here in suburbia of Rockingham, I have no idea where there are defence families .. except for ones I met at the playgroup which accepts defence and civvy families.
Lavendar pegasus and I met a few weeks ago and her (gorgeous red headed little boy). A chain reaction, I meet a lady at playgroup, her kids are at school but came to meet other Navy spouses. I went to playgroup to do the same. If I didn't I can honestly say I wouldn't know another navy family except my good friends daughter who lives a few streets away.

DCO scrap their privacy policy and give us families a go instead of finding ways not to do things and not to help, how about suggesting things. Because DCO don't give us a go I've had to go to DFA with a suggestion to have a list of families who want to communicate with other families in the same area. If DCO did this themselves when an event comes up they could do a bulk email to families and say 'this is happening on this day .. RSVP' and they might well get families going but because they don't have a way of communicating with families outside the square, they only get a few families showing up .. therefore making the event not worthwhile.. so cos of their privacy **** it's biting them in the bum and we families lose out. So chain reaction, they don't like to put on events cos a couple of families turn up. *sigh*.

mummy of five .. like I said it was a rumour, if there are to be no more gulf trips then it was just that .. a rumour lol.

With that mastis thing about sat phone calls .. DH said 'it won't be free as far as i'm aware'. So I can assume when they go into refit it will be done. See little things like that we aren't told about from husbands but are from other defence families lol.

[mummyof5]

KJE Mum, You are so right about the privacy issues stuffing up families having the oppurtunity to get to know each other...I never will live on the patch, no matter where we are posted at any given time, due to housing sizes, so unless I happen to meet other spouses through some sort of social event, I don't know other defence spouses IRL, if that makes any sense!

As for mastis, the way it was explained to me was that defence pays for the program, and once installed, the calls are free...mind you, hubby is a gunbuster, not a coms rate, lol.:D

[lavenderpegasus]

OK so i know I started this thread a while ago but here is my progress...


One thing I want is more communication between spouses and DCO.
ie when you move here, you get DCO to organise meetups (with families willing to) and if they have a list so they can just email or send out invites etc. So far I've had to do the friend finding on my own and it has greatly involved the internet and then meeting up in person.

DFA are trying to bridge the gap by hopefully having a list of willing participatants who want to leave their brief details so new families or current ones in the locality can get in contact.
The issue here is they have tried this before and the details were used for things like part plans and marketing. So the idea was scraped. (in WA anyway)
Also some of the issues that DCO have are they get a list of people from DHA when the posting first comes out, but you alll know how posting and moving dates can change. So DCO are welcoming people and leaving cards for families that havent arrived yet or have changed there posting...

WOOT WOOT - GOOOOOO Samantha!!!

Okay what do I want...

1. Better communication (read: more reliable) between ship/spouse during deployments, exercises and sea jollies
Hmm not sure, do you mean a reliable e-mail sevice?
2. Rotating crew for deployments longer than 4 months
The rotating crewing things is still relativly new, so it may be a while before they increase this... also we need more people in the navy before this can happen. Just remember this is only for sailors so officers have to stay the whole time...poor officers wives!!!
3. The stupid 6 month deployment rule changed to 4 months (as in 6 month deployment before DCO will help with i'state travel for support etc)
do you mean for an uplift or just support?
hmm will need to work on this one
4. I want to know what the hell a FLO is! I know you told me the other day Samantha, but that is the first time I've ever heard about a FLO in the 4yrs I've been a defence spouse.
The FLO is really our first port of call, if you have any issues they should be able to help. Keep in mind they get there list of names first from DHA (and we all know how great they are) and then DCO get a list of names from NWCC. When partners go to sea they are asked to fill out a form that has a question that says under spouse/family. Would you like DCO to contact. Yes or No. 90% of these are ticket NO and there is no way that DCO can contact you unless you call them and ask them to contact you with information in the future.
5. More DCO services for new mum's
What would you like, I'm going to get a few bounty bags to have at my local DCO and a little show bag of local stuff... (new thread coming)
6. Automatic health benefits for defence families (not just the member)
With all the cost cutting don't see this happening, but will work on it.
7. Local points of contact for new families when they move for a posting (as in a list of where the nearest doctors, hospitals, SES etc are)
see new thread coming soon...
8. More frequent communication with defence families to see how we're doing/coping; whether member is deployed or not
see Q4
But call your flo and ask for an appointment, go in and explain that you need help, see if they can call you just once a week for the next month to see how you are going. Our FLO in WA has said that is something she would do if asked...
9. Defence Playgroups should be FREE
I agree they should be free, but alot of them are mixed civvies and defence so I guess sometimes they struggle to ask some and not others?
Hmmm - thats all I can think of for now. Let me sleep on it :)




Another thing, it would be nice if prior to a deployment the ship could organise a gathering of families .. . which i know is wishful thinking as they are sooo buys prior to deployment.
Do you mean the pre deployment meeting (it has a different name) They have them before each big deployment, but partners are expected to pass on the info
ANd .. family grams like the submariner families get.. ie an email every 2wks or so telling them what's going on and how things are fairing. Good Idea



DCO scrap their privacy policy and give us families a go instead of finding ways not to do things and not to help, how about suggesting things. Because DCO don't give us a go I've had to go to DFA with a suggestion to have a list of families who want to communicate with other families in the same area. If DCO did this themselves when an event comes up they could do a bulk email to families and say 'this is happening on this day .. RSVP' and they might well get families going but because they don't have a way of communicating with families outside the square, they only get a few families showing up .. therefore making the event not worthwhile.. so cos of their privacy **** it's biting them in the bum and we families lose out. So chain reaction, they don't like to put on events cos a couple of families turn up. *sigh*.
The privacy act isn't just a DCO thing they can't just scrap it. Yogi (the FLO) was saying that there are cost issues in sendng out stuff and then I suggested e=mail and she said that there are so many people out there tht dont have e-mail... The list you gave DFA if you get those people to call the FLO then she can get around the privacy act that way. She is more than happy to contact people but she needs names and numbers



So I hope this helped... I'm working on the questionae thingo mentioned in an old thread but it is really just working out to be a tips booklet...

I went to DCO and chattered to our FLO (yogi) and got alot of answeres not suprising really she seems like she could do with some new ideas... so see new thread.

lp inwa