All of the Air Force, part of the time
GPCAPT Kevin McEvoy
By GPCAPT Kevin McEvoy
Have you ever said, "If only I could join the Royal New Zealand Air Force and keep my day job"? Well, now’s your chance to do something about it!
The RNZAF is currently looking for personnel to grow its Active Reserve Force (AR-F) and make it an integral part of our Air Force. So if you are that person or you know somebody with specific skills sets we could use, then please be a part of our Recruiting Team and encourage them to Step Up.
The RNZAF Active Reserve Force (AR-F) was recently advertised in all major daily newspapers, on the Step Up website, and also distributed via email within the RNZAF. The Active Reserve, although relatively new, was constrained by funding and personnel numbers in the post-recession environment in FY09/10. In the new financial year there is now a window of opportunity to get some real momentum behind the programme though.
The main emphasis for the Active Reserve is providing people that can backfill positions or provide augmentation. Although it is focused primarily on ex-Service personnel, applications have been opened to all including those without a military background. The aim here is to ensure that a broad cross-section of personnel is captured. Civilians, for example, have expertise in some critical areas such as project management, finance, corporate planning, human resource etc that may not reside specifically with ex-military personnel.
We want the Active Reserve to be supported by units so we want you to keep identifying priority positions that can be filled by an Active Reservist, while we carry out a simultaneous recruiting push that is being centrally coordinated. Once applications are sent in, it is up to Recruiting to cross-reference the applicants’ skills sets against existing vacancies. Lining up the competencies against vacancies ensures that we maximise the utility of the Active Reserve, while also ensuring that priority areas are filled first.
So far the response has been great! But if you know of somebody out there you think would be suited to the Active Reserve, encourage them to apply! As a serving member of our Air Force you are one of our best recruiters! So get out there and help us help you, by supporting the Active Reserve.
Interested in joining?
If you are interested in the AR-F and want to learn more, please visit: www.airforcecareers.mil.nz.