Life After The Services
It's strange; once upon a time people thought of HM Customs as 'those miseries who charge us duty'. But now I think that the UK genpub are pretty well happy with the way HM Customs and Excise regularly nab those ba$tard low-life drug smugglers and other scum. Good for you, chaps and chapesses!
The uniform you wear is very similar to the one which CAA Flight Examiners wear. So much so that, when a CAA chap came to the Brize Flying Club once in blue pullover and 4 gold rings, the muppets who live in the hangar thought that the Haupsturmfuehrer from Customs had arrived for a surprise visit. There was chaos - people running around and more and more senior muppet officers arriving on scene...then we let them off the hook. CAA chum laughed his bits off!
As for my activity having left the mob, in the 4 months I had doing nothing for, but being paid by HM, I deliberately 'fined' myself by transferring anything over my anticipated post-retirement pension+investment+'other' income into a do-not-touch savings account. That got me into the mindset of knowing what was guaranteed safe-as-houses dosh and what wasn't. So far it's working out fine...off to the part-time job in Europe again soon, all expenses paid and biz class. Shall be paid for the work I do, then home. But the mutually best part is that I can survive without needing to do it, hence the company gets someone who works for them because he enjoys it and likes doing it, not because he has to in order to pay the mortgage. An enthusiastic and willing part-time consultant gives them the added-value which a salaried employee might not.....
Other tips:
Join BUPA whilst you're still in the mob.
Don't have spending plans for your terminal grant for at least 12 months after retirement.
If you're a pilot, get a PPL to keep yourself sane!
Learn not to worry about your ODT date, RAFFT date, SLJs and other embug.gerances.
If you must tell them, tell war stories not bore stories.
The uniform you wear is very similar to the one which CAA Flight Examiners wear. So much so that, when a CAA chap came to the Brize Flying Club once in blue pullover and 4 gold rings, the muppets who live in the hangar thought that the Haupsturmfuehrer from Customs had arrived for a surprise visit. There was chaos - people running around and more and more senior muppet officers arriving on scene...then we let them off the hook. CAA chum laughed his bits off!
As for my activity having left the mob, in the 4 months I had doing nothing for, but being paid by HM, I deliberately 'fined' myself by transferring anything over my anticipated post-retirement pension+investment+'other' income into a do-not-touch savings account. That got me into the mindset of knowing what was guaranteed safe-as-houses dosh and what wasn't. So far it's working out fine...off to the part-time job in Europe again soon, all expenses paid and biz class. Shall be paid for the work I do, then home. But the mutually best part is that I can survive without needing to do it, hence the company gets someone who works for them because he enjoys it and likes doing it, not because he has to in order to pay the mortgage. An enthusiastic and willing part-time consultant gives them the added-value which a salaried employee might not.....
Other tips:
Join BUPA whilst you're still in the mob.
Don't have spending plans for your terminal grant for at least 12 months after retirement.
If you're a pilot, get a PPL to keep yourself sane!
Learn not to worry about your ODT date, RAFFT date, SLJs and other embug.gerances.
If you must tell them, tell war stories not bore stories.
Join Date: Dec 2002
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Hi All,
Left 3 years ago on medical grounds. Went to Saudi with BWoS to carry on managing ATC Engineering projects (ex-TG3 SNCO). Just come back and moved sideways in company.
BWos in Saudi was easy transition with mess style accom, uniform to wear and similar lifestyle - oh and loads of dosh to boot.
Harsh realities set in now on return to UK 'civilian' life - - it sucks. Looking to run away now, preferably to somewhere warm!
I do miss the life, the being involved and most of all the cameraderie in difficult times.
Dark Helmet - I also did PPL and it surely keeps me sane.
As for advice or thoughts? The grass on the other side of the hill is a different shade of green. It can be, but its not always, a nicer shade.
Cheers,
Bear 555
Left 3 years ago on medical grounds. Went to Saudi with BWoS to carry on managing ATC Engineering projects (ex-TG3 SNCO). Just come back and moved sideways in company.
BWos in Saudi was easy transition with mess style accom, uniform to wear and similar lifestyle - oh and loads of dosh to boot.
Harsh realities set in now on return to UK 'civilian' life - - it sucks. Looking to run away now, preferably to somewhere warm!
I do miss the life, the being involved and most of all the cameraderie in difficult times.
Dark Helmet - I also did PPL and it surely keeps me sane.
As for advice or thoughts? The grass on the other side of the hill is a different shade of green. It can be, but its not always, a nicer shade.
Cheers,
Bear 555
Last edited by Bear 555; 18th Dec 2003 at 15:33.
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Aeroplanes are in the blood lads; you can't shake them off that easily. Anyone who really wants to break from aeroplanes is in the wrong job in the first place and its probably best to leave as soon as possible.
For those who want to leave the RAF/RN/AAC but stay with aviation, get well away from the military stuff and get into proper civil aviation. Don't be sucked in by "mess style accomodation" and all that sh*te, you might as well stay in as do that - their money isn't as good as it seems either, if you compare it with other expatriate lifestyles.
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
For those who want to leave the RAF/RN/AAC but stay with aviation, get well away from the military stuff and get into proper civil aviation. Don't be sucked in by "mess style accomodation" and all that sh*te, you might as well stay in as do that - their money isn't as good as it seems either, if you compare it with other expatriate lifestyles.
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
Thread Starter
Thanks for the suggestions/experiences folks. Some of you are quite cagey about what you do now, though. I'm not after your job, just your reasoning/logic etc. So Beags, if you're a 'consultant' what are you consulting about? Blacksheep, what are you actually doing in Borneo.
I've done enough flying in Civvy street to know the differences/advantages...surely there's a job out there that not only involves job satisfaction, being accountable for your own f
'ck-ups/reaping the benefits and with a bit of flying thrown in for good measure.
I've done enough flying in Civvy street to know the differences/advantages...surely there's a job out there that not only involves job satisfaction, being accountable for your own f
'ck-ups/reaping the benefits and with a bit of flying thrown in for good measure.
EEDSL - I consult as a SME.
Qualifications: Degree in Aero Eng, several thousand hours specific role experience, the ability to communicate orally and verbally, plus a bit of basic IT (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) - and formal instructional qualifications. But more particularly, the word of mouth of others who know you!
Qualifications: Degree in Aero Eng, several thousand hours specific role experience, the ability to communicate orally and verbally, plus a bit of basic IT (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) - and formal instructional qualifications. But more particularly, the word of mouth of others who know you!
Cunning Artificer
Join Date: Jun 2001
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I'm lurking in the rain, just lurking in the rain...
EESDL - I don't fly, I'm a reformed grease monkey - one of those forelorn figures you may occasionally glimpse lurking about in the rain when you mount your winged steed and take to the sky.
But check your Private Messages - the pathway of life can take many interesting turns without getting too far from where it began...
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
But check your Private Messages - the pathway of life can take many interesting turns without getting too far from where it began...
**************************
Through difficulties to the cinema
Sorry - I meant that's what they wanted, not that's what I had to offer!
Edited later - Oh, AR$E!! I see what you were getting at, smartman! 'Verbally' and 'orally' are, of course, synonymous! What I meant was 'adequate written and spoken expression'! ******** that I am!
Mark you, 'oral expression' always puts me in mimd of Monica Lewinsky....
Edited later - Oh, AR$E!! I see what you were getting at, smartman! 'Verbally' and 'orally' are, of course, synonymous! What I meant was 'adequate written and spoken expression'! ******** that I am!
Mark you, 'oral expression' always puts me in mimd of Monica Lewinsky....
Last edited by BEagle; 31st Dec 2003 at 14:22.
Join Date: Oct 2002
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I left in 1997 ex MT after an attempt at a posting to Lossie, nothing against Lossie a fantastic place, however new house baby settled down you know the score.........
I got messed around and PVR'd, lucky it was free as they were on the tail end of "options for change" found it very difficult to adjust to civvie life, went to EGSS part time dispatch then worked my way up to management i am so glad that this was my direction, i would not work in any other industry. You will be suprised how many ex forces work in civil aviation and you still get the inter services banter. Remember a couple of things though.
1. You will need to chill a little and take things a wee bit slower
2. Join a union, be careful who you trust its not the same as the mob where you look out for your mate, some not all will stich you to save themself.
3. Enjoy what you do, trust me having an ex services background helps you go along way.
I got messed around and PVR'd, lucky it was free as they were on the tail end of "options for change" found it very difficult to adjust to civvie life, went to EGSS part time dispatch then worked my way up to management i am so glad that this was my direction, i would not work in any other industry. You will be suprised how many ex forces work in civil aviation and you still get the inter services banter. Remember a couple of things though.
1. You will need to chill a little and take things a wee bit slower
2. Join a union, be careful who you trust its not the same as the mob where you look out for your mate, some not all will stich you to save themself.
3. Enjoy what you do, trust me having an ex services background helps you go along way.
Join Date: May 2003
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EESDL
There is no surgical procedure that I know of that can remove the pleasant nostalgia that aflicts you on a daily basis after you have left. When you're in it's cr@p, when you're out it was a fantastic life.
Speaking as one who has had the pleasure of falling out of the side and back of many a helicopter and noting your ATPL(H) I have the perfect job for you. Fancy being a delivery man? PM me for details
Hapy new year
FEBA
There is no surgical procedure that I know of that can remove the pleasant nostalgia that aflicts you on a daily basis after you have left. When you're in it's cr@p, when you're out it was a fantastic life.
Speaking as one who has had the pleasure of falling out of the side and back of many a helicopter and noting your ATPL(H) I have the perfect job for you. Fancy being a delivery man? PM me for details
Hapy new year
FEBA
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Since leaving the RAF
I put as much distance between me and T.Blair Esq by emmigrating half-way round the world to NZ. Now happily basking in the sun teaching airline wannabes as a University Lecturer. Biggest news item in the antipodes is crayfish quotas, bummer eh!!!!
Join Date: Mar 2002
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I left a full career by PVR some 15 years ago, and I haven't looked back. The reason was partly lack of promotion and partly that I was offered a job as a TP with a major UK company. I'm still in the same work, but with a different Company - both corporate and test flying - and still very much enjoying it.
The only things I missed were the medical and dental support, which I believe is non-existant now, anyway. The plus's were no SDO's, no junior sqn ldrs practiing their man management on me, no secondary duties, no short notice postings and no mess bills. I've kept in touch with old friends, though, through military contract work.
Civilian life is different - you're stuck with the same people for the whole career, rather than postings every three years or so, so choose your work mates carefully. You're also stuck in the same place. Appraisals still exist, but pay is also negotiable and if objectives are agreed, remuneration could be tied to success or failure - you become a part of your destiny, something I did not achieve in the Service.
I really enjoyed my 20 years in the RAF, but I've had a lot more fun and success as a civilian pilot.
The only things I missed were the medical and dental support, which I believe is non-existant now, anyway. The plus's were no SDO's, no junior sqn ldrs practiing their man management on me, no secondary duties, no short notice postings and no mess bills. I've kept in touch with old friends, though, through military contract work.
Civilian life is different - you're stuck with the same people for the whole career, rather than postings every three years or so, so choose your work mates carefully. You're also stuck in the same place. Appraisals still exist, but pay is also negotiable and if objectives are agreed, remuneration could be tied to success or failure - you become a part of your destiny, something I did not achieve in the Service.
I really enjoyed my 20 years in the RAF, but I've had a lot more fun and success as a civilian pilot.
