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The Future of the Naval Service Reserve

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The Future of the Naval Service Reserve The Future of the Naval Service Reserve Introduction The Naval Service Reserve (NSR) is in decline and needs to be reviewed urgently. It is falling foul of many of the issues experienced within the Naval Service (NS). Recruitment and retention problems exists and are extenuated by the effect of a lack of Permanent Defence Force (PDF) personnel to facilitate additional training, administration and logistical support as needed. The Commission has a unique opportunity to review the standing of the Naval Service Reserve and make recommendations accordingly. This submission while limited in length will seek to address some of the key challenges posed in creating an integrated, functional, professional and effective Reserve. This paper will be broken down into three key headings these are, Capability, Structure and Staffing. This paper will move on to briefly look at international practices surrounding Naval Reserves before offering a conclusion of where improvements and advances can be made. The White Paper on Defence has called for an increase of 100 personnel to the Naval Service Reserve. The Naval Service Reserve is presently organized into five separate units, one each in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Waterford and a Technical Support Unit (TSU). The role of NSR is “to augment PDF Seagoing strength through provision of trained personnel and at unit level to provide for the capability of armed Naval Element afloat with local shore support and expert local maritime knowledge and intelligence in support of PDF Operations at and from the sea in the main trading ports. In support of the mission to maintain Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) for this island Nation”. This is accomplished through standalone operations in their home parts and through time spent on board Naval Service RHIBS and Motor Launches. During the Covid-19 pandemic the NSR was used extensively in the initial response. They assisted on Ships in Dublin, Galway and Cork. They were also able to carry out other key operational tasks. Such tasks included but are not limited to: I. Liaison Officer Roles II. Driving Duties III. PPE Stowage and Distribution IV. Assistance to the Civil Authority The current establishment is forty nine personnel in each of the Cork, Limerick, Waterford and Dublin units. The strength of the Technical Support Group is four. This allows for two Naval Watch-keepers and Two General Practitioners. The current allocation of personnel to the NSR is 200. This figure currently includes four vacancies within a Technical Support Unit. The actual number of personnel attested is between one hundred and one hundred and thirty. The operational strength of the Naval Service Reserve is hovering between 55% and 65%. While this sounds positive one must take stock that there are less than one hundred and thirty Naval Reservists for the entire population. It must also be noted that the Naval Service Reserve have not been in regular training since March 2020 and numbers may suffer due to inactivity. Currently the NSR fall under the remit of Officer Commanding Shore Operations. They have a dedicated Cadre staff of eight personnel. The Cadre Staff are responsible for training, logistical and administration support to the NSR. Structure In the Naval Service there are four key branches namely, Seaman’s, Communications, Logistics and Mechnicans. Currently the Naval Service Reserve is structured that all personnel are inducted into the Seaman’s Branch. This branch is one of the most critical to the Naval Service. A Seaman is involved in all deck evolutions. They are the individuals who drive RHIBs, handle mooring lines, fire weapons, conduct watches, they are involved in every facet of shipborne life. In this regard it makes sense that each member of the Naval Service Reserve is inducted into this branch. It would not be prudent or feasible to begin dividing up the reserve into the various branches as there is not enough personnel. However Reservists should be allowed conduct additional branch training in other areas. Currently a reservists undergoes no initial specialized training outside of their recruit training. This is unacceptable as they are not treated the same as the Permanent colleagues. They should conduct branch specific training and as they progress they should be allowed to conduct additional branch training in Communications, Logistics or Mechnicians. This both increases their knowledge but also the units capabilities. It in essence means a Reservists would be a Seaman first and foremost but can get an additional qualification to enable them act as a communications operative. The representative Association for the Reserve Forces (RDFRA) have made their submission to this commission public and seek to establish a reinforcement reserve. A divide between general reservists and technical reservists is necessary. However in order for a general or reinforcement reserve to function correctly appropriate facilities are needed. Currently there is no reserve presence on the West coast or in the Northern region of the country. New units should be establish at a minimum in Galway and Donegal. In both these counties there are vast connections to the maritime sphere. There are third level institutions providing degrees in specific marine areas and also they are relatively densely populated. In these two counties military installations are present and can be used for the naval reserve if designated. An additional unit in Dublin must also be analysed. As the most densely populated area in the country it has the ability to have a larger group involved than other area. Expansion brings two key benefits. 1. A greater pool of reservists enabling further capabilities. 2. Creating and improving the national footprint of the Naval Service. The above points must be seen as critical. An increase in reserve establishment would increase capability, diversity and knowledge. The National footprint of the Naval Service is in one sense non-existent. The Naval Service does much of its work over the Horizon and away from media attention. The service is struggling now in a recruitment crisis that will not be solved for a number of years. The establishment of new reserve units or bigger units in more densely populated areas offer a unique opportunity to generate an interest in the Naval Service in new locations, it brings the navy to the forefront of peoples mind. In a time where information is key, people would have access to that information through their local reserve office. A national footprint is key to bringing the entire defences forces forward and improving them as we move towards the future. Capability The NSR is located in four key maritime ports namely, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Dublin. There capability is hindered due to a lack of modularized training and a limited number of PDF staff available. The capability of each unit remains further limited due to the low amount of reserves and their limited experience in an operational environment. When needed however the NSR have shown themselves to be professional, keen and innovative. This is evidenced from the major flooding incident in 2016. Here the Limerick unit of the NSR were tasked with moving personnel from flooded areas. Their support was in addition to the Permanent Defence Forces but they were held in very high regard after the incident. Last year and undoubtedly more importantly the Reserve were involved in key areas during the beginning of the response to Covid-19. The primary tasking of the NSR was assisting in Operation fortitude. In total over 1300 days were given to the response by Naval reservists. There were personnel embarked on board L.E Eithne for the move between the Naval basin and Horgan’s Quay. This was a critical juncture as the Defence Forces stepped up the initial response to the ongoing external situation. The ship move represented L.E Eithne being taken off Operational Reserve. The fact that Naval reservists responded so quickly with availability is a testament to the passion and desire they have. NSR Personnel were involved with a variety of units throughout Operation Fortitude. These units were based in Galway, Dublin and Cork and were primarily used as testing centres as the Nation ramped up its capacity. Reservists completed a variety of task while embarked on units. They also assisted units ashore when and where required. Some of tasks completed included: i. Driving Duties ii. Liaison Officer Role iii. PPE stowage and Distribution iv. Duties on board v. Assisting the Civil authority. vi. Sanitization of necessary spaces. vii. General Ships Husbandry. A Point of Contact was appointed from each NSR unit. This enabled a clear line of communication between units and Naval Service Reserve Headquarters. Furthermore it allowed for stringent monitoring of where personnel where and what they were involved in. This is key as Irelands legislation for protecting Military reserves is weak, personnel’s safety and protection is paramount oversight is a necessity. At the height of Operation Fortitude up to thirty five (35) personnel were being deployed on a daily basis. This represented 38% of the entire effective strength of the NSR. They showed effectiveness and professionalism throughout the year. This is true of all aspects of their role. It also demonstrates the inter-operability between the NS and the NSR. The involvement of the NSR in Operation Fortitude demonstrates what is possible when reservists are integrated. However it should not take a crisis situation for such involvement. Capabilities need to be expanded for non-crisis times. Reservists should be more involved with ceremonial, Training events, recruitment events. Integration is key to expanding and creating a reserve which will augment the PDF Strength. One area in need of key strengthening is the technical support unit. This unit needs to be reorganised and modernised dramatically. The expansion of the TSU is an imperative.
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