Goodbye

[rarelyathome]

Like many, following the success of my application for Redundancy, today is my last day in the Service after well over 30 years.

I consider myself to be one of the very lucky ones who has had a fantastic career and I have been immensely privileged to work with some truly talented and dedicated people over the years both on my many op deployments and back at home.

Things are not what they were but that is what people were saying when I joined. The difference now is a real sense of decline.

I hope those that remain can pull it out of the bag. I for one will be supporting you and backing you all in any way I can. In the meantime, stay safe and thanks for the camradery that can only really be found in the Services.

Rarely

[taxydual]

Best wishes

[Courtney Mil]

Yes, the very best of luck. I left recently after 30 great years and discovered that there is life on the outside. I wish you well.

Courtney

[NutLoose]

Ditto, goodluck in your future endeavours.

[Navaleye]

Good luck mate. I took civvie redundancy a month ago and haven't looked back. I will mend my house then find another job. I'm not ready to jack it in yet.

[Charlie Time]

Good luck, wise words.

I'm just under 5 years behind you.

[Ewan Whosearmy]

Thanks for your service to this country. Good luck in civvie street.

[Dengue_Dude]

I left 18 years ago after serving 24 years - I've never regretted a day. How the staff cope now I don't know.

Well done anyway and there most definitely IS a life 'outside'.

[Geehovah]

Best wishes for the future. I lasted full term but I'm not sure I would have been able to live with the decline.

[polyglory]

Totally agree with all comments left in 87 after 23 years. and have had no regrets.

Fair winds to all:)

[Yellow Sun]

I made two good decisions with regard to the air force, joining it and leaving it. Don't look back, make a clean break for the first few years and get on with your new life.

YS

[fergineer]

Good luck, left in 96 and haved loved every minute of being out. Did 25 years and am now helping youth , not paid much but the rewards are there.

[1.3VStall]

Rarely,

The very best of luck mate and don't lose sight of the fact that you have a huge amout of transferrable skills to make your mark in the world outside. I left in 1996 after nearly 28 years after a, mostly, enjoyable career marred only by working for a couple of total tw@ts.

We have now been in the same village for 15 years and, for the first time in our lives, Mrs 1.3V and I have been able to put down roots (we are both Service brats).

Guard your fond memories of the cameradie, but look forward with confidence - you won't fail!

[navstar1]

Well done for serving 30 years the country should be very grateful. You have obviousy enjoyed your service and have no ill feelings to a wonderful organisation. Good luck for the future you deserve a long,happy and successful retirement.Today is the start of the rest of your life:O

[rarelyathome]

for all the good wishes. I have been lucky enough to walk straight into a superb job, totally unrelated to the defence industry, so I am living proof that there is opportunity out there (here now I suppose!).

Rarelyathome (I guess I can change my name now as well :))

[Courtney Mil]

I went into a completely different field too, which made for quite a clean break. I also started using (more or less) my own name here. Why not, I thought.

[Dengue_Dude]

I went into a completely different field too

Were you on choppers then . . . . ? ;)

[The Old Fat One]

Good luck and nice post.

Never understood those that leave and then cannot refrain from slagging to the rafters the organisation that they voluntarily served in for so long.

Like you, I had many great years. Absolutely, there is a great life outside too, if you find it and embrace it. But you will never meet so many first rate team players and all-round good eggs in one outfit again. That I guarantee you.

[Courtney Mil]

D Dude, I flew in one once. :ok:

TOFO, All good points. Of course you don't have to lose touch with everyone. There are always reunions and the like. And if you're missing the banter and gereral insults, you can always pop in here!

[Lima Juliet]

TOFO

Never understood those that leave and then cannot refrain from slagging to the rafters the organisation that they voluntarily served in for so long.

Probably because at some point they've had their fill and left - hence voluntary service terminates...:ooh:

LJ :ok:

[CHUNKYEWO]

I left after 35 years service just over a year ago and am now a full time mature student with 2 years tuition fees paid for by Auntie Betty. I have never missed the RAF since I left but do wonder where the service is going with all the worlds potential military problems. Good luck to those who are leaving and to those who are still serving. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in but now enjoy activities when and where I choose (well my wife chooses actually).

[NewsOfTheWorld]

Well done! How did you get your tuition fees covered?

[CHUNKYEWO]

Look on the ELCAS Website or visit the Station Education Centre. Basically the RAF will pay for a Foundation degree if you haven,t already got a degree. Best to check the latest info as there are hoops to jump through. Good luck!

[jindabyne]

TOFO

Well said on all counts.

Best Wishes to you Rarely :ok:

[Mend em]

Good for you! And better the missus setting the agenda than Aunty Betty