Here, we have got someone who has done his bit, and who wants to say farewell and thanks. Its like putting an announcement in The Times, its like a farewell speech at a leaving piss up. Its closure, its a rite of passage, its part of the process and its usually someone's way of affirming some sort of belief in the system despite having been shafted by parts of it and one that he spent a huge chunk of his life subscribed to.
Beautifully put and absolutely 100% spot on. The fact that those leaving feel the need to undertake such a "right of passage" is testament to the strong bonds and camaraderie that builds through the many varied, weird and down right dangerous experiences that we have shared. What makes it all the sadder is (ignoring for a moment the petulant fools who have posted derogatory comments) that the system just doesn't recognise/care or is even aware of the finely tuned personality traits that are about to leave, traits finely honed from a service that was far better at mentoring then than it is now! No it is not alright because we can replace them with a new recruit! They might be the best pilot/supplier/adminer in the world but it'll be many more years before they actually ADD VALUE to those that work around/with them.
Fred - finally coming to terms with being a TOG and proud of it!!