Reserve Defence Force Representative Association

WHAT IS RDFRA?

• RDFRA is the representative association that advocates on behalf of all members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve.

• It is a representative association, NOT a union.

• It is a non-political organisation.

• It is governed by Defence Forces Regulation S7, the RDFRA Constitution, and the RDFRA Rules document.

• Membership is open to all reservists, regardless of rank.

• The Association's main role is to consult and liaise with the Civil and Military Authorities on behalf of the Reserve Defence Force.

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WHY JOIN RDFRA?

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• Be part of the majority of active reservists.

• Support ​your comrades in securing better service conditions for all.

• Receive support from your RDFRA unit/sub-unit committee, Formation Committee, or National Executive Committee.

• Obtain unbiased information on all matters relating to your service.

• Avail of an alternate channel of dispute resolution if required.

• Obtain a free RDFRA membership ID card (members can apply here).

• Receive the Association's newsletter which provides regular news and updates on a wide range of Reserve Defence Force matters (members can register for the newsletter here).

• An online RDFRA Membership Application form can be found here.

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RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• Defence Forces ID Cards for all ranks and SFC headdress for all Army Reserve officers.

• Introduction of national promotion competitions, and the regular running of promotion competitions.

• New Defence Forces Regulation R5 and new Administrative Instruction R5.

• Overhaul of RDF pay administration (incl. RTSDs approved for all training and support activities).

• Access to Defence Forces Connect App for RDF pers.

• Paracord, Pace counter, Beanie hat, Toiletries bag, Tactical gloves on issue to RDF pers.

• “Rolling recruitment” (i.e. open year round).

• Increase in recruitment age to 39 and increase in retirement age to 62.

• Medical self-declaration for recruitment applicants and “traffic light” fitness testing.

• Operational service – domestic and overseas – via Defence (Amendment) Act 2021.

• Inclusion of a broad range of pro-Reserve measures in the Commission on the Defence Forces' final report.

• Introduction of employment protection legislation to provide employment security for reservists who may be called up for fulltime service in emergency circumstances.

• Full pay restoration for all members of the RDF (bringing RDF pay rates back in line with PDF first-point pay rates).

• Re-building of the RDFRA network nationwide.

• Naval Service Reserve enlistment eyesight standards updated to allow persons with visual acuity grade 3 to apply.

• Multiple corps choice selection online for new recruits joining locations that have more than one RDF unit/sub-unit.

• Streamlining of the recruitment process.

• Weekend fitness testing for serving personnel.

• Implementation of RDF Recruit Liaison Officers to assist recruitment process.

• Candidate Manager training for RDF personnel.

• Shifting of recruitment PR focus from Print Media to Social Media.

• Approval for military transport to be used for carrying new applicants to/from induction testing.

• Rigorous oversight of RDF payment matters.

• Hollow Fibre / Snugpak jacket on issue to RDF pers.

• Camelbak / Hydration bladder on issue to RDF pers.

• Regular NCO and officers promotions where vacancies exist.

• Publication of the RDF Employer's Handbook.

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OUR SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION (as per DFR S7)

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• Pay and allowances.

• Conditions of service.

• Entry criteria to join the Reserve Defence Force.

• Performance appraisals.

• Criteria for promotion.

• Medical and dental benefits following accidents on duty.

• Standards of training accommodation.

• Procedures for redress of wrongs.

• Provision of legal representation.

• Application of Health and Safety at Work Act.

• Clothing and Personal Equipment.

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MATTERS OUTSIDE THE REMIT OF RDFRA (as per DFR S7)

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• Operational matters.

• Disciplinary matters.

• Actual promotions.

• Official Defence Forces communications with the press.