Morale - Discuss!
Yes, SS, you're right, that is my job. I love my job, honestly, but it does get wearing when I'm ALWAYS away and can't plan fun things at the weekend as I know I'm probably going to have to cancel them. I honestly envy you that you can work such gentlemanly hours but please don't presume that we're all able to do that, because we simply can't. Thanks to our Glorious Leader, we are doing more and more each year. We are limited in our RW resources and when the army go anywhere or there is a humanitarian need (Which I fully support, incidentally) off we go for another month or 2! It's not just the going away, it's generally the short notice of it and the uncertainty of when you're returning. In short, life is unstable and you can't keep that up ad infinitum.
SS, I really think you're living on another planet and are really quite Jack if you think we can change our destiny. We are underfunded, thanks to the Great JHC and too useful. And yes, I too want to be Jack and go to some other job within the RAF as, sad as it may seem, the RAF is my life. Sadly, I fear that I'm too useful to the RW world for the poster (appointer) to let me go. That leaves me with the PVR option. I really do not want to leave but I can see the day coming if only to retain my sanity and my marriage. The Forces are not worth the loss of either of those!
SS, I really think you're living on another planet and are really quite Jack if you think we can change our destiny. We are underfunded, thanks to the Great JHC and too useful. And yes, I too want to be Jack and go to some other job within the RAF as, sad as it may seem, the RAF is my life. Sadly, I fear that I'm too useful to the RW world for the poster (appointer) to let me go. That leaves me with the PVR option. I really do not want to leave but I can see the day coming if only to retain my sanity and my marriage. The Forces are not worth the loss of either of those!
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Like I'm gonna say....
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I knew it. Southside just could not keep away from the keyboard, could he. SH bases are the places where you leave your life at the minute, not where you live. And it's the RW guys jobs to get dicked about is it?
Really, I though more of you SS.
We try our best to keep morale up, but certain idiots try their damndest to break it down. I'll mention no names.
TI
Really, I though more of you SS.
We try our best to keep morale up, but certain idiots try their damndest to break it down. I'll mention no names.
TI
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: northside
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So hang on. You join the military but then moan and complain when you are sent overseas to serve your Country ? No, no. Your right. I bet there wasn't many of you saw that one coming was there? What ever next eh? No doubt they will expect you to wear a uniform next eh? maybe expect you to die as well . Now that would never do would it?
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Far from the madding crowd
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
In your world
Dear SS,
What is the weather like in your part of the world, humm, rose coloured clouds, birds chirping away in the hedgerows?
Blimey!
Get into the real life now and see what operations the troops in the RAF are supporting, see where we are being deployed and what units/squadrons are taking the brunt of the movements.
We do not have the luxury of the 110K size RAF anymore, or didn't you realise that? Thanks to many downsizing opportunities we are now heading to 41k. Surprisingly not of these personnel are either aircrew, technicians or Admin types. But this figure takes in ALL of the Serving personnel from CAS to the lowest Airman. including personnel who from no fault of their own are medically downgraded.
Take these personnel from the active list and that 41K reduces, so the 'fit' personnel are left shouldering the burden. How many Staff officers are flying or servicing A/C in Basra, kandahar or even in the falklands? Add this then that figure reduces even further.
Yes we ALL joined up and we knew the risks, hell I bet if you ask most of the current serving personnel if they have ever asked to go on operational tours I bet (1 doctor excluding) most will say yes, they knew (I know) the risks, willing to put their lifes on the line for their comrades, country and Queen.
The problem is that we are being asked to do more and more with less and less. if you wish to look up out of your half full pint pot you will see a Modern Fighting Force about to be brought down onto it's knees very soon.
The only time you will complain about what we are doing is when we are no longer able to do so, by then it will be too late, the ethos, moral and the experiance will have walked out through the door.
Then you will moan.
'If only we had listened to the people that were currently serving in the RAF we may have had one now!'
Act in haste repent in lesuire, is the motto of the day I feel.
/Rant off
What is the weather like in your part of the world, humm, rose coloured clouds, birds chirping away in the hedgerows?
Blimey!
Get into the real life now and see what operations the troops in the RAF are supporting, see where we are being deployed and what units/squadrons are taking the brunt of the movements.
We do not have the luxury of the 110K size RAF anymore, or didn't you realise that? Thanks to many downsizing opportunities we are now heading to 41k. Surprisingly not of these personnel are either aircrew, technicians or Admin types. But this figure takes in ALL of the Serving personnel from CAS to the lowest Airman. including personnel who from no fault of their own are medically downgraded.
Take these personnel from the active list and that 41K reduces, so the 'fit' personnel are left shouldering the burden. How many Staff officers are flying or servicing A/C in Basra, kandahar or even in the falklands? Add this then that figure reduces even further.
Yes we ALL joined up and we knew the risks, hell I bet if you ask most of the current serving personnel if they have ever asked to go on operational tours I bet (1 doctor excluding) most will say yes, they knew (I know) the risks, willing to put their lifes on the line for their comrades, country and Queen.
The problem is that we are being asked to do more and more with less and less. if you wish to look up out of your half full pint pot you will see a Modern Fighting Force about to be brought down onto it's knees very soon.
The only time you will complain about what we are doing is when we are no longer able to do so, by then it will be too late, the ethos, moral and the experiance will have walked out through the door.
Then you will moan.
'If only we had listened to the people that were currently serving in the RAF we may have had one now!'
Act in haste repent in lesuire, is the motto of the day I feel.
/Rant off
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: northside
Posts: 472
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very true. Although I have to say, this is not new. Being over stretched is not new. Back in 1983 I did back to back FI deployments. 13 Months away from home with 2 weeks leave in the middle. Why ? Cos we were short of manpower.....Hmmmm come along way havent we.
I completely agree with Widger; I do wish those bove us had enough about them to say 'Enough!'. The 'can do' attitude is all well and good but it should never be a cover for squeezing blood out of a stone every single time.
SS, I think I can see where you're coming from but your posts sounds as if you're sat smugly in an ivory tower. The fact is, unless I leave, which I dearly don't want to do, there is b~gger all I can do about it. At least some PoWs got repatriated for going mad; I'm more likely to be given a command if I do!!
SS, I think I can see where you're coming from but your posts sounds as if you're sat smugly in an ivory tower. The fact is, unless I leave, which I dearly don't want to do, there is b~gger all I can do about it. At least some PoWs got repatriated for going mad; I'm more likely to be given a command if I do!!
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Up North
Posts: 801
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My morale is great! I go home every night, know that I won't get sent away at short notice, I have enough time to do my job and adequate resources, and I don't have to move house every few years.
I'm so glad I PVR'd!
I'm so glad I PVR'd!
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: 6 miles 14
Posts: 641
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll second that Jess, though in my case I took redundancy. My mortgage is now paid I have a nice little pension and no more "They want AA tommorow you'll have to rob AB, we can rob it back tommorow night as AB's extension will be up if it does a sortie tommorow so it'll be out of hours!"
Now if I work lots of extra hours I get paid overtime, and I can say NO! If they wan't me to go to some sandpit they ask if I'd like to and offer me some incentive, not tell me I'm going tough!
God I miss it, well truth be told I miss some of the troops but most of the good uns left with me or were waiting for tranche 2 or 3 or PVR if no joy.
At least my morale is good now but I still feel sorry for those left trying to make it work.
Remember : - "We've being doing so much, for so long, with so little, that now they expect us to do everything with nothing!"
Now if I work lots of extra hours I get paid overtime, and I can say NO! If they wan't me to go to some sandpit they ask if I'd like to and offer me some incentive, not tell me I'm going tough!
God I miss it, well truth be told I miss some of the troops but most of the good uns left with me or were waiting for tranche 2 or 3 or PVR if no joy.
At least my morale is good now but I still feel sorry for those left trying to make it work.
Remember : - "We've being doing so much, for so long, with so little, that now they expect us to do everything with nothing!"
Inter Arma Enim Silentius Lex Legis
Join Date: May 2000
Location: England
Posts: 733
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jess and Hooded
I have nothing to add to your posts. I feel exactly the same way as you two do. I miss the people and remember only the good times.
I feel sorry for those we have left behind..
I have nothing to add to your posts. I feel exactly the same way as you two do. I miss the people and remember only the good times.
I feel sorry for those we have left behind..
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Top floor, b@stards moved me. NO LONGER watchin the circuit
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Jess, Hooded, Gorilla.
Can't agree more. PVR'd this year...wrote a long (ish) "reasons" page which ended with the words......
'with redundancy in full swing and TG1 being profoundly targeted who will actually give a damn'
Who will ?? It is so sad to see this Service being gutted by the current situation and no-one willing or able to arrest the rot. Without the USA involved could we carry out a full campaign??
Morale??....for the doubters amongst you wait until tranche 3 is finished and see the PVR rate then.
HH2
Can't agree more. PVR'd this year...wrote a long (ish) "reasons" page which ended with the words......
'with redundancy in full swing and TG1 being profoundly targeted who will actually give a damn'
Who will ?? It is so sad to see this Service being gutted by the current situation and no-one willing or able to arrest the rot. Without the USA involved could we carry out a full campaign??
Morale??....for the doubters amongst you wait until tranche 3 is finished and see the PVR rate then.
HH2
