Last Working Day
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: England
Last Working Day
I finished my last working day today after 25 years inthe RAF, it was marked by ...................nothing!
I was asked if I was arranging my own leaving do, but you might have thought that after that length of service this might fall to another sqn member.
As I am leaving on PVR the RAF seem to think that they have not had their 'pound of flesh' so what is the point. This might seem like me just being
p
y, but if this is the view of the modern RAF, then I am sure that it will continue to loose good people despite offers of PA and FRI.
Its
not the RAF I joined!!!
Rant over, errors due to too much red wine!!!!!
I was asked if I was arranging my own leaving do, but you might have thought that after that length of service this might fall to another sqn member.
As I am leaving on PVR the RAF seem to think that they have not had their 'pound of flesh' so what is the point. This might seem like me just being
p
y, but if this is the view of the modern RAF, then I am sure that it will continue to loose good people despite offers of PA and FRI. Its
not the RAF I joined!!! Rant over, errors due to too much red wine!!!!!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 379
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From: UK
It's funny, I had my last day today too, but actually wanted to leave quietly - we did have a very pleasant squadron lunch a few weeks ago, so I can't really echo the feelings of the 'dog' above. Things have changed though.
I did have a twinge of sadness after 19 yrs today as I handed my ID card over, but was brought sharply back into reality when the PSF Cpl told me that I probably wouldn't get my gratuity until the end of next month (Apr), as 'they' have decided to ditch the interim pay runs, despite an agreement to pay said gratuity 5 - 10 days after one's exit date.
Oh well, this time next year, I'll be a millionaire.
I did have a twinge of sadness after 19 yrs today as I handed my ID card over, but was brought sharply back into reality when the PSF Cpl told me that I probably wouldn't get my gratuity until the end of next month (Apr), as 'they' have decided to ditch the interim pay runs, despite an agreement to pay said gratuity 5 - 10 days after one's exit date.
Oh well, this time next year, I'll be a millionaire.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 783
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From: UK
I finished my last working day today after 25 years inthe RAF, it was marked by ...................nothing!
I was asked if I was arranging my own leaving do, but you might have thought that after that length of service this might fall to another sqn member.
I was asked if I was arranging my own leaving do, but you might have thought that after that length of service this might fall to another sqn member.
Gaspode, maybe they think you're a bit of a tool?
Just a thought.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,650
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From: Falmouth
So the fact that Gaspode had no mates who would get off their backsides and organise an RPC for him is the fault of the RAF is it?
Hmmmmmm....Maybe they were too busy complaining about having to pay for food or moaning about having to keep fit
Hmmmmmm....Maybe they were too busy complaining about having to pay for food or moaning about having to keep fit
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 38
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From: heathcliff
Amazing how this has already descended into inter-service sniping by the usual small minded. But the point is well made - the 'service' is just a bunch of individuals - if they didn't feel a send-off was deserved you have to look deeper than the RAF isn't what it used to be. Surely Gaspode was dined out?
Nothing from work not even a card. But on the good side had a bloody good pi$$ex in the mess with a few mates.
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,933
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From: Warrington, UK
I was asked if I was arranging my own leaving do, but you might have thought that after that length of service this might fall to another sqn member.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,579
Likes: 142
From: Under the clouds now
After 19 years of relative enjoyable service I was due to be dined out a week before my (PVR) leaving date. "Unfortunately", I was called out the day before the dining in night to operate a delayed East Med and had to make do with Keo and Coccinnelli in Limasso instead! 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 142
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From: South West
Left the RAF in Jan and had a great all-ranks dining-out beforehand with a friend that I joined up with nearly 20 years ago.
Already been to one leaving do in my new job; few bothered to attend and a half-hearted collection mustered up a mediocre bottle of wine.
In deciding whether to leave at my 38 point, the camaraderie that still exists in the Forces was a definite "stay" factor.
N Joe
Already been to one leaving do in my new job; few bothered to attend and a half-hearted collection mustered up a mediocre bottle of wine.
In deciding whether to leave at my 38 point, the camaraderie that still exists in the Forces was a definite "stay" factor.
N Joe
Last edited by N Joe; 31st March 2007 at 15:12. Reason: sp
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 76
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From: Wilts
Sorry to be so blunt but.... If your mates couldn't be bothered to sort out some sort of leaving do for you, even if only after a few years let alone 20+, then it speaks volumes about you....forget your wingeing about the Service - no matter what the colour you wear - Maybe time to analyse a little closer to home eh?
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 906
Likes: 102
From: Southampton
On my last day I was doing the rounds with the blue card and I had a bollocking from someone because I was either too early or too late to clear. It was at that point that I knew I had made the right choice to PVR.
I did have a good leaving do though.
I did have a good leaving do though.
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 308
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From: NZ
Happy!
Decided to leave after 22yrs and 1 weeks service. pvr'd because I have had enough of Bliar, 2 illegal wars and no back bone in senior officers. Voted with my feet, no ranting required. Will miss an awfull lot from the service; people; places; jobs; no need for a huge send off, I'm just really looking forward to the end of June and the challenges of life again. Visa applied for... next stop Oz.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 5,578
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From: Nottingham UK
Gaspode the Dog leaving after 25 years.
I am not sure what you are moaning about. You stated that you had served 25 years service and were now leaving on PVR (Premature Voluntary Release) and was asked if you were arranging your own leaving do, it would appear that you thought that after that length of service you had served this might fall to another sqn member.
You went on to state that "As I am leaving on PVR the RAF seem to think that they have not had their 'pound of flesh' so what is the point."
What has it to do with the RAF? As far as the Royal Air Force is concerned you have opted to terminate your contract. The Royal Air Force has completed their side of the contract and provided you with employment for the period you opted for and were prepared to employ you for the remainder of your contract. In my experience and as others have stated leaving functions are normally organised by one's friends or subordinates and if they cannot be bothered then that I am afraid it says a great deal for the what they think about individual concerned.
I am sure they felt after 25 years you had earnt your pension and gratuity and that you might wish to say farewell by inviting them for a drink.
You went on to state that "As I am leaving on PVR the RAF seem to think that they have not had their 'pound of flesh' so what is the point."
What has it to do with the RAF? As far as the Royal Air Force is concerned you have opted to terminate your contract. The Royal Air Force has completed their side of the contract and provided you with employment for the period you opted for and were prepared to employ you for the remainder of your contract. In my experience and as others have stated leaving functions are normally organised by one's friends or subordinates and if they cannot be bothered then that I am afraid it says a great deal for the what they think about individual concerned.
I am sure they felt after 25 years you had earnt your pension and gratuity and that you might wish to say farewell by inviting them for a drink.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 71
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From: Retired to Wiltshire.
35 years...last 10 on STANEVAL or in a Staff job imposing disagreable policy on people who generally thought it was all my fault! No wonder they forgot I was leaving.
Didnt feel hurt! It was only what I had come to expect of a service that has become polarised by self serving career chasers or disjointed by frequent detachment workloads.
Been gone nearly 18 months and I bet neither of us are missing each other! I've never looked back, running my own business and doing OK! No third party career enhancing initiatives or strategies to implement, its sink or swim time and its very bracing.
Times have changed and so they must! I reckon any of the services are only good for 12 years max and then its time to move on. Lets face it, in the outside world its less than 3 years before you start to look ragged around the edges and its time to take your worn out ideas to another company.
Didnt feel hurt! It was only what I had come to expect of a service that has become polarised by self serving career chasers or disjointed by frequent detachment workloads.
Been gone nearly 18 months and I bet neither of us are missing each other! I've never looked back, running my own business and doing OK! No third party career enhancing initiatives or strategies to implement, its sink or swim time and its very bracing.
Times have changed and so they must! I reckon any of the services are only good for 12 years max and then its time to move on. Lets face it, in the outside world its less than 3 years before you start to look ragged around the edges and its time to take your worn out ideas to another company.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 154
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From: Lincs
Gaspode & 3.14,
thank you both for your 25 years and 19 years respectively. There are a few of us left who are grateful, and hopefully gracious enough to acknowledge your time in the Service.
wg13, get a grip!
thank you both for your 25 years and 19 years respectively. There are a few of us left who are grateful, and hopefully gracious enough to acknowledge your time in the Service.
wg13, get a grip!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 783
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From: UK
Why are you having a go at me, Bootflap?
Others echo'd my thoughts that Gast may be believing too much of his own hype. The RAF doesn't owe him anything (I take it they've been paying him for 25 years?).
His point drifted between 'Does no one care about me' to 'It's the RAFs fault'.
Both a bit sad for the internet to be honest.
Others echo'd my thoughts that Gast may be believing too much of his own hype. The RAF doesn't owe him anything (I take it they've been paying him for 25 years?).
His point drifted between 'Does no one care about me' to 'It's the RAFs fault'.
Both a bit sad for the internet to be honest.