Summary of Activities and Developments in D.Met.S. to mid-1943 (continued)

Conditions governing the transfer of Meteorological Officers accepting service with RAAF for the duration of the war have now been determined, and it will be necessary for officers to determine whether they are prepared to accept service or desire to remain as civilians under the Public Service Act, and under civilian conditions during this period.

1. Briefly, the conditions are as follows:

1. The Meteorological Service shall for the period of the war, be transferred as an active branch of the Air Force in the Department of Air. On termination of the war, it shall revert to a civil basis under the Commonwealth Public Service Act, its officers being enrolled with appropriate rank in the RAAF reserve during peace. (Decision of Cabinet).
2. Officers of the Branch accepting service with the RAAF will be required to secure leave from the Commonwealth Public Service, and will be enlisted or appointed with active (substantive) rank for service at home (in Australia and adjacent territories), or overseas during the war period.

Note: Service of meteorological personnel in the present active theatres of war is not probable, as established Met. services are already in operation in those regions. Service at points in the Pacific region will depend on service requirements. Officers joining will, however, accept liability for service as and when required. Officers particularly desirous of service with meteorological units with the AIF, should such be formed, might so indicate on the form of acceptance herewith

. . .

(p) Personnel enlisted or appointed to RAAF Meteorological Branch may be required to undergo a short course (approximately four days) in elementary drill and service administration. They will, whilst on service, be wholly employed on meteorological duties, and will not be available for ceremonial parades or ordinary station duties

. . .

2. Personnel not desiring to accept service with RAAF will be retained in the Meteorological Branch as civilians under the Public Service Act, but may be transferred during war to stations manned by civilians only

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7. Consideration is being given to the position of personnel who are
desirous of serving, but whom medical examination has disclosed are not quite up to standard. The documents should however, be completed by such officers if they are still desirous of service with the RAAF under the conditions outlined.

H. N. WARREN
DIRECTOR
RAAF METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE

Bureau of Meteorology