Advice Please - leaving for an offered job
Having been posted to a 3 year+ PVR ground tour....
You would only bugger up those around you by working to rule.
So, I carried on working my socks off, volunteered for everything...
and got huge numbers of freebies, a bunch of happy people around me, my full leave allowance (!), another 60 (fun) flying hours, etc, etc....
oh, and thanks to Saddam, my three year ground tour ended up being only 2 years 3 months What a great guy!
You would only bugger up those around you by working to rule.
So, I carried on working my socks off, volunteered for everything...
and got huge numbers of freebies, a bunch of happy people around me, my full leave allowance (!), another 60 (fun) flying hours, etc, etc....
oh, and thanks to Saddam, my three year ground tour ended up being only 2 years 3 months What a great guy!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
CS and Fox3, quite, most of us are wired that way and I can think of more positives than negatives.
In earlier case, both AEOs as it happens, the permanent fg off (remember them?) Was brilliant though OC AW was on his case from day 1.
Another, sqn ldr ops at Wittering, worked all through his terminal leave to ready the station for its first taceval.
In earlier case, both AEOs as it happens, the permanent fg off (remember them?) Was brilliant though OC AW was on his case from day 1.
Another, sqn ldr ops at Wittering, worked all through his terminal leave to ready the station for its first taceval.
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How did you get on CS?
A friend of mine had a similar situation a couple of years ago. The Desk Officer told him that he should consider how he would feel if the shoe was on the other foot and the RAF wanted to make him redundant with 5 months notice when his aircraft retired (the VC-10).
Ironically that's why he wanted to leave. He lost out on the job but ended up with an A330 type rating on Voyager.
A friend of mine had a similar situation a couple of years ago. The Desk Officer told him that he should consider how he would feel if the shoe was on the other foot and the RAF wanted to make him redundant with 5 months notice when his aircraft retired (the VC-10).
Ironically that's why he wanted to leave. He lost out on the job but ended up with an A330 type rating on Voyager.
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So far, the response has been 12 months no matter what, so bad luck. I have been reminded that I am not in the zone for promotion, so by staying, I take what I get given or I simply PVR and hope.
The problem is I have my family wondering what is happening, Mrs CS could do without a short notice move and we have to go on knowing that I work for an ambivalent employer. Yet I am continually told stories about colleagues who achieved what I am asking.
The problem is I have my family wondering what is happening, Mrs CS could do without a short notice move and we have to go on knowing that I work for an ambivalent employer. Yet I am continually told stories about colleagues who achieved what I am asking.
I am continually told stories about colleagues who achieved what I am asking.
Despite being responsible for Wg Cdrs and above he had asked to see me. Was I going out under a cloud? No Sir, I want to go on flying but the RAF has quite reasonably other ideas. Would I stay on for another 18 months and he would ensure I got a golden bowler that would be available then? No Sir, that's very kind but I've burned my boats now and it wouldn't be fair to the Service. Then I'll see that the PVR goes through for you. Thank you Sir, that's all that I could ever hope for.
I was lucky. I was always lucky with my bosses. What you have to ask yourself is, are you lucky? Well, are you?
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Since of course you also have a full year of leave just plonked into your lap you could ask CO for permission to work in spare time which I think is hidden in an AP somewhere.
Finished work on a flying Sqn Nov 2002.
Started new job Nov 2002 (and got paid from the get go)
Officially left RAF May 2003 (and got paid until I left)
got the NI back out the blue 3 years later without applying luvverley jubbly
I had all of the following well on side: Staish, OC Admin (ma'am - I fancied the pants off you ), my boss and most of all WO PSF. Get the right people on side, this is all sooooooo much easier.
QRs do say that you can work in your "spare time" or words to that effect, with your CO's permission, as long as it doesn't affect your primary job. They also specifically say that you can work during terminal leave, but not when on a resettlement activity.
If you're on your way out and have lots of leave, then there's no justifiable reason I can see from them stopping you working, but getting to that stage for CS may be the tricky bit. I suspect people who left 10-20 years ago in the pre-JPA era may be disappointed by the "computer says no" attitude we often encounter nowadays.
I appreciate that a while ago, having a well-placed Wg Cdr or Gp Cpt willing to push your case could work wonders; but nowadays it seems you're often told "the system can't do that."
If you're on your way out and have lots of leave, then there's no justifiable reason I can see from them stopping you working, but getting to that stage for CS may be the tricky bit. I suspect people who left 10-20 years ago in the pre-JPA era may be disappointed by the "computer says no" attitude we often encounter nowadays.
I appreciate that a while ago, having a well-placed Wg Cdr or Gp Cpt willing to push your case could work wonders; but nowadays it seems you're often told "the system can't do that."
5F6B:-
Point taken absolutely, 5F6B. That is the answer that I get whenever I start one of my interminable "Back in my day" monologues, and rightly so. Of course times have changed, whether for better or for worse is irrelevant. But one things holds as good now as it did then, and that is that the Good Lord helps those who help themselves.
All this good advice could rebound dreadfully on poor old CS. It is for him alone to decide when and if to PVR. The only point that I, and I suspect others, are making is that there are certain times in one's life to take a chance. Joining up in the first place, getting married, having kids, and of course deciding on a completely new career. I suspect he's done most of those and hopefully, again like me, regrets none of them. As far as I was concerned the moment one started thinking of the latter it was a cue to taking the plunge; time wasted prevaricating was time wasted in getting onto that ever important seniority list outside.
I, or rather we, went for it. No job offers, no home (as we had to march out of our OMQ of course), so "Hello Mum", and not even fully qualified anyway (I had a CPL but of course had to wait until leaving to put an IR onto it). It was the same chance everyone else in my shoes had to take and luck, as ever, stayed with us, as I got IR and a job within the same month of leaving. In other words we took a chance, and one that paid off handsomely (though costing me an RAF Pension, which the small print in QR's confirmed).
That's all it comes down to really, taking a chance. In that regard nothing much has changed, I would suggest.
having a well-placed Wg Cdr or Gp Cpt willing to push your case could work wonders; but nowadays it seems you're often told "the system can't do that."
All this good advice could rebound dreadfully on poor old CS. It is for him alone to decide when and if to PVR. The only point that I, and I suspect others, are making is that there are certain times in one's life to take a chance. Joining up in the first place, getting married, having kids, and of course deciding on a completely new career. I suspect he's done most of those and hopefully, again like me, regrets none of them. As far as I was concerned the moment one started thinking of the latter it was a cue to taking the plunge; time wasted prevaricating was time wasted in getting onto that ever important seniority list outside.
I, or rather we, went for it. No job offers, no home (as we had to march out of our OMQ of course), so "Hello Mum", and not even fully qualified anyway (I had a CPL but of course had to wait until leaving to put an IR onto it). It was the same chance everyone else in my shoes had to take and luck, as ever, stayed with us, as I got IR and a job within the same month of leaving. In other words we took a chance, and one that paid off handsomely (though costing me an RAF Pension, which the small print in QR's confirmed).
That's all it comes down to really, taking a chance. In that regard nothing much has changed, I would suggest.
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I agree with what Chugalug said. I extracted myself recently from the RAF; I took a chance and left early (pension intact). Rather than thinking about leaving for one specific opportunity, think about the wider opportunities available. It's just one offer you've been made and there will be others. If it's stability you're after then it may be worth taking the plunge. I pulled the pin with no job in mind and it worked out well for me. It might be the case that the current offer might be still on the table in ~7 months time.
I think there has to be grounds for staying put in your last 12 months when you PVR. I would kick and scream like hell to stay where you are - plead family stability, house purchase, kids in school, wife's career, anything to allow you to stay in location and avoid a right good grafting through a 4 month posting.
even if you do get posted (utterly asinine) you should be entitled to at least 90 days notice, and if you're clever you'll be able to make your resettlement etc. make about 5 months which means you'd only have 4 months actually away from home in a ridiculous posting.
So, ask yourself if leaving is about this one job or is leaving what you want to do?
Personally, I've never been happier since walking out the gates. I got a hefty pay rise and pension in pocket, more freedom, more responsibility and no bullsh1t.
Best of luck with whatever you choose....
H
(edited to add - there are several ways to navigate the not working on GRT)
I think there has to be grounds for staying put in your last 12 months when you PVR. I would kick and scream like hell to stay where you are - plead family stability, house purchase, kids in school, wife's career, anything to allow you to stay in location and avoid a right good grafting through a 4 month posting.
even if you do get posted (utterly asinine) you should be entitled to at least 90 days notice, and if you're clever you'll be able to make your resettlement etc. make about 5 months which means you'd only have 4 months actually away from home in a ridiculous posting.
So, ask yourself if leaving is about this one job or is leaving what you want to do?
Personally, I've never been happier since walking out the gates. I got a hefty pay rise and pension in pocket, more freedom, more responsibility and no bullsh1t.
Best of luck with whatever you choose....
H
(edited to add - there are several ways to navigate the not working on GRT)
Last edited by Herc-u-lease; 26th Apr 2015 at 20:50. Reason: addition
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Thank you for all the advice. The saga goes on and worrying as things are about not having a job, Manning seem to prefer you feeling unloved. I don't want the "Don't leave" begging e-mails, I just thought we might have a more collegiate attitude as I have always worked hard for the people I have looked after and I am determined not to leave with a bitter taste as I joined to do the brilliant things I have done in my career.
Thanks all.
Thanks all.
I had a gap of about 2 months when I PVRd with all leave/resettlement taken into account - My Sqn CO said there was very little he could do, I pointed out that I could "come out" and be gone today !!! (It was meant as light hearted comment as I was living with the future Mrs WM at the time)
I got 8 weeks "gardening leave"
Ask yourself (and your boss) will the service grind to a halt and nations crumble if you left a few months early?
good luck - be nice, but up to a point, you've given a lot you should expect a little in return
rgds
WM
I got 8 weeks "gardening leave"
Ask yourself (and your boss) will the service grind to a halt and nations crumble if you left a few months early?
good luck - be nice, but up to a point, you've given a lot you should expect a little in return
rgds
WM