I love pointing out the agendas of reporters when they put together these articles. If you notice the article below, their intent was to scare the audience into thinking that the evil PNC’s are poaching all of the navy folks. Although they make no mention as to how many seamen the Estonian Navy has, and how a few of them leaving to go to work for these companies constitutes an ‘en masse’ crisis? lol It sounds scary though….
And even so, all I have to say to the Estonian Navy and leadership is that you should pay better than the companies, or treat your navy better, and then maybe they might stick around? Just a thought. Or you can implement a draft and force these men to serve against their will?
Now for the sake of these Estonians seeking work with the companies, I certainly hope their government doesn’t play some kind of game with their careers. These men will be making good money, and spending it in their country. What we are talking about is jobs, and the rights of men to increase the quality of the lives by earning a decent salary. And with a global economy highly dependent on shipping, these men are providing a service to the world by putting their lives on the line to protect that shipping. If shipping is attacked, the supply chain is impacted by the loss of those goods, and everyone, to include Estonians, suffer because of increased costs. So with that said, protecting shipping is within the best interest of a nation like this, as well as the world.
Of course their navy needs to be strong as well. But if you are not doing the things necessary to attract and hang on to good people, you will lose them. People, ideas, and hardware, and a nation must focus on the people part if they want to hang on to them.
I also posted a quick blurb about the companies mentioned in this article. Advanfort has been doing well. They have four hundred employees and “announced that for the month of March 2011, the company completed a record 108 security missions, covering 127,000 nautical miles—a 35% increase in monthly escort missions compared to February, and a new milestone for the Company.” That indicates a dramatic increase in the maritime security market, and it goes along with the other increase of business that I have wrote about in the past. A media group like the Economist, could definitely put together an article that shows this dramatic increase in business. Hell, I would put it on the cover, because this is news! -Matt
Navy Officers Quit En Masse to Join Private Companies
April 12, 2011
Enticed by the action and higher salaries offered by private security contractors, dozens of professional Navy officers are quitting the national force, leaving at least one ship unmanned.
“One of the main reasons that people leave is money,” said a Navy officer, who wished to remain anonymous, to ETV. “Maybe also the monotony of it. For example, people from the Scouts Batallion, who go on missions, come back and again begin learning how to pull a weapon apart and put it back together – that’s not suitable for them.”
The officer spent six years in the Defense Forces and was sent on two missions. Last month, he began looking for a job in the private industry, reported ETV.
Another 34 have recenty left, many attracted by the US security company AdvanFort, forcing the Navy to cancel some its planned operations. NATO operations have also been affected, as those require specialists with thorough training.
During the economic recession, salaries in the Defense Forces were cut by 15 to 18 percent, and social benefits also decreased. A non-commissioned officer only earns 600 euros per month – many international security companies would gladly pay more. Especially since many of the former Defense Forces officers are looking for battlefield adventures abroad.
The number of personnel in the Defense Forces has not decreased in the last years, but the staff turnover among the professional army has been high. “Certainly, the beginning of this year and especially the situation specific to the navy is troubling, and we don’t consider it normal,” said Col. Aivar Salekeshin.
On its waitlist, Estonian security company ESCGS currently has 135 job seekers, over half of whom have a background with the Defense Forces. In the last six months, the security firm has sent dozens of Estonian ship protection crews to work on the Indian Ocean. “In March and February, there were 10 missions going on at the same time. A lot of men are needed there. It seems that April will also be busy, so the market is growing rapidly,” said ESCGS owner Jaanus Rahumägi.
Story here.
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AdvanFort Achieves Milestone for Monthly Onboard Escort Missions
Over 100 Armed Missions in March; covering 120,000 miles
April 5, 2011
AdvanFort Company, a leading, global provider of armed security teams, today announced that for the month of March 2011, the company completed a record 108 security missions, covering 127,000 nautical miles—a 35% increase in monthly escort missions compared to February, and a new milestone for the Company.
“We believe the increase in the armed security escorts highlight both the level of trust the shipping community has in our services, as well as the growth in the number of our customers” concluded LtCdr (Ret.) Mark Hornung, AdvanFort’s VP, Operations “We are honored by the trust our clients place in us by choosing us to protect their crews and cargo when transiting an out of control pirate-infested waters.”
According to LtCdr (Ret.) Hornung, who until last September served as the head of the NATO Shipping Centre in Northwood, London. on March 23, 2011, The company had reached a record of 18 successful embarkations deployed in one day in four different ports in three countries.
About AdvanFort
Mission
AdvanFort is a multi-mission maritime security provider, in pursuit of protecting the vulnerable maritime assets in pirate infested waters. AdvanFort is adept in providing solutions to meet a wide range of maritime threats and challenges. We maintain a fleet of helicopters, long endurance speed boats and ships.
Capabilities
With more than 400 employees in four continents, AdvanFort provides absolute, world-class security solutions addressing maritime threats and challenges in hostile zones with deeply rooted social and political issues. Maritime security has ever evolving requirements within pirate infested waters, demanding flexible and innovative responses.
AdvanFort stand ready to work collaboratively with all of our clients to asses all threats and determine best solutions to serve their business objectives and meet the challenges of modern day pirates.
Story here.
Company website for AdvanFort here.
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ESCGS is a new company with a long tradition. The first ESC, the Estonian Security Center, was founded in 1990 in Tallinn, Estonia to provide state of the art security services to the fledgling Second Estonian Republic, after the fall of the Soviet Union. In the crucible of the early 1990’s, ESC developed its management style of honesty, integrity and dedication to professional security services under all circumstances.
Company website for ESCGS here.