Defence Personnel ServicesJoint Coordination

Scope

Introduction

American Icons and Preconceived Perceptions

Australia and USA Similarities

What is Culture Shock and Deployment Cycle

The Australian Experience

The Defence Solution

What is the ADF

North American Defence Statistics: as at Oct 2011• 414 postees in USA and Canada (1245 total)• 326 with dependents• 88 single (21%)• 505 children• 67% of personnel are NOT the serving member (73% are not

in uniform)• People in 33 states and 6 provinces• Over December 2010/January 2011 period posted 82 In and 111

Out (28% turnover)?What are Australians perceptions?

Two ReasonsOne: Strategic RelationshipTwo: Foreign Military Sales

Americans look like

And live in houses like

Americans created

Learnt from

Live next door to

And other neighbours are

Consumer Products

Sports

Children

Toys

America

More US Icons

Perceptions

• Australians think they know America– We speak the same language– We are an ethnically diverse country– We have same values, capitalism and democracy

• Forget these things– It is a different country– It is a different culture– There are many more people here– It will not change

USA and Australia

The ‘Buy a Car’ experience

• Before you can buy a car you need:– Money (transfer, bank accounts)– Insurance (no history)– Drivers license (no US ID, no history – DMV)– Social Security Number

• You also need to find a Car

• Drive on the other side of the road (including steering wheel)

US - Australian - Navy

• Appetiser• Entrée• Bathroom• Internal Medicine• Pavement• Candy• Dinner• Soda• Ketchup• Coffee w cream

• Entrée• Main Course• Toilet• General Practitioner• Sidewalk• Lollies• Tea• Soft drink• Tomato Sauce• Flat White

• Smally Eats• Joint• Head• Scab Lifter• Deck• Maccas• Scran• Goffa• Redders• Brew

Australian Challenges

• No SSN• No credit history• No driving or insurance history• No Accent• Different School years• Different Tax years• Different seasons• Different Hemispheres• Different side of the road

Deployment Cycle (Culture Shock)Excitement,

Posting Starts

Not Everything

as Expected

Life Suxs,Miss

Home

Sorted, Everything

is GoodLearning to Cope, Life is Easier

Busy, Preparing to Leave Post

Leaving New

Friends

Healthcare and Insurance

• USA• Benefits thru salary

• Australia• Socialised Medicine

Education

• USA• Aug-Jun• County based

• Australia• Feb-Dec• State based

The Defence Solution

• Defence Personnel Services Office• Family Support Officer (2)

– Access to US resources (especially military)

• Administration and Relocations Officer (8)– Healthcare and Health Insurance– Rental Assistance– Banking– Overseas Allowances– Removals and Relocations– Posting related Travel