Are the RAF desperate?

[L1011GE]

Today is my last paid day in the RAF, after 29 years 118 days I will be civilian.

This week I received a very nice certificate from Service Personnel and Veterans Agency.

It contained my nice little pin badge with a certificate stating "' The HM forces veterans badge is PRESENTED to you in recognition of your service in the UK armed Forces.....

How does being sent in the post representative of presented? Why is it not ""Presented"" by OC Admin when some scruffy SAC takes away the 1250? or by your ex boss at your Final interview.?

Not that it matters I wont be wearing it on my T shirts.... Just seems an insult

Anyway also in the pack was a print out of my JPA competencies ie fitness test, IRT, IDT CCS etc(5 pages)..all printed on nice certificate paper....what a waste of money...

Lastly I was told that after 29 years 118 days I still have to serve until 2016 in reserve......I cannot be bothered to write and tell the YTS trainee who made 3 spelling mistakes in my address he is wrong.

So there we go....30 years and the letter was pp'd in the signature block by an Administrator!!!!!!!! They cant even sent a printed signature..


That said I have enjoyed my last 30 years and would not change a thing....
I just wanted a dig at the futile gesture of a pin badge and certificate..

Watching my bank now for my Lump sum/pension

Stay Safe

[acmech1954]

Wellcome to the real world. After all that time you would think that a farewell from the RAF would be better. My departure was much the same, the only thanks I got was from the current Sengo of the day. the rest was just a walk round the station with a blue chit, exept for stores and I handed my uniform over.
Since the day I left my only contact has been my monthly pension, no contact to see if everything was ok or if I needed assistance or guidence. I am afraid that after that first step as a civvie you are on your own, the RAF has no interest in you at all.

[Old Fella]

Severance from Military

L1011GE and acmech1954, maybe the RAF reckons after so much service you don't need any guidance. There would not be too many with your experience to offer any assistance, I would have thought. You are 'big boys' now and I'm sure you will both manage.

[Art Field]

I do not think the fact that they can manage is the point, indeed it just about sums up todays RAF attitude. These people and many, many others, myself included, have loyally served for a considerable time and deserve recognition to a far greater degree. How can service personnel ask for greater attention from the general public when their own organization treats them in such a way.

[L1011GE]

I can manage don't you worry.

I posted because I thought the whole "Thank you"" for 30 years was very pathetic.

A small pin badge that arrived in the post
A certificate Not even signed by someone above administrator.
3 spelling mistakes in my address (after it was copied from JPA)
An offer to allow me to commit to another 8 years reserve...(I think 30 years is enough)

All I am saying is the letter is a template that the illiterate gibbon of an administrator could not correctly change.


And why oh why do I need to know I was in date on my fitness test, swimming test,Dental, IRT,IDT and CCS?

All produced on nice quality certificate paper.....

I just hope and prey they dont cock up my Lump sum and pension.

[wobble2plank]

After 18 years in the Navy flying in the Fleet Air Arm in various s**t holes around the world as dreamt up by our New Labour lords and masters I was thoroughly pleased to receive my leaving letter thanking me for my 18 years servitude in the Royal Marines ?????

Nothing like a little research and knowing your personnel!

Best left behind, certainly the best thing I ever did was to get out.

Good luck to anyone still slogging through the mire!

[Old Fella]

Thanks for the Service

L1011GE, I was not meaning to dismiss your service to the UK. I served over 23 years with the RAAF and, like yourself, the end of my time went virtually unheralded, except for those with whom I worked. That said, I did not hold any expectation of anything different. The highlight of my "end of service" celebrations was me being hosed down by a fire tender crew as I descended the steps from the B707 at the end of my final RAAF flight.

My point was really that both you and acmech1954 probably learned a lot in your years of service and that not too many within the service would be able to offer any meaningful advice to you regarding civvy street. Good luck for your future to both you and acmech1954.

[beefybayonet]

Leaving today after 18 years service. I received my badge and certificate of service a few weeks ago and consigned them to the dusty box at the bottom of my spare cupboard immediately.

However, the best thing happened yesterday. I went into work to drop off my 1250. My final pay slip was there and upon opening it, I had the shock of my life. Instead of recovering the balance of the Long Service Advance of Pay from my gratuity, as per the terms and conditions I signed up to, a significant portion had been recovered from Augusts pay, meaning I am receiving the sum of bugger all today.

A call to JPAC revealed that the rules apparantly changed at the start of the year and the RAF nows recovers LSAP from final pay balances, as well as gratuities (I will still have £1700 taken from my gratuity to settle the debt). What made me rage was the complete lack of notice to the changes in terms and conditions. What exactly does the RAF think I'm going to do for money until my gratuity/pension arrives?

Luckily, the bank were very helpful and the mortgage will be ok next month. Now waiting for next instalment of the saga, i.e. gratuity hitting my bank account.

So glad I'm leaving the RAF with its 'Coco the Clown' style of admin!

[Old Fella]

Thanks for the Service

L1011GE, I was not meaning to dismiss you service to the UK. I served over 23 years with the RAAF and, like yourself, the end of my time went virtually unheralded, except for those with whom I worked. That said, I did not hold any expectation of anything different. The highlight of my "end of service" celebrations was me being hosed down by a fire tender crew as I descended the steps from the B707 at the end of my final RAAF flight.

My point was really that both you and acmech1954 probably learned a lot in your years of service and that not too many within the service would be able to offer any meaningful advice to you regarding civvy street. Good luck for your future to both you and acmech1954.

[cornish-stormrider]

For those still in.

I really have to wish all of you who have left good luck and god speed. To all those left behind.......

As much as I personally admire you for sticking with it, in the eyes of the " management " ( or what they call themselves this week) you are nothing but a number. when you leave it is my experience they view you as little more than a traitor to the uniform, regardless as to the why's and wherefores.

All I can say is better out than in. the only things I miss are the fun times - caused entirely by the mates and the banter,

B4lls to the rest of 'em, they don't like it up 'em.

[cazatou]

L1011GE

A sad reflection on the attitudes of those in command.

When I left in '96 I had a personal farewell from the AOC and from the Stn Cdr. The highlight of my "clearance" was the LAC in "Stores" who asked his Flt Sgt what he should do about the 2 cardboard boxes I could not produce that had been issued in 1970 to move my kit from Abingdon to Manby.

When we moved to France in 2003 I wrote (as required) to MOD PG5a(2) informing them of the move as I would be "regarded as not being available for Reserve Service".

I am still waiting for a reply!!

[NutLoose]

When I left two of us from the same section went to hand our Uniforms in having cleared everything else, I was in Civies and the other guy was still in Uniform... when asked why he said everything else had already gone home. My misfortune was I was told to keep everything more or less for my reserve at the time... Damn,

He on the other hand had to hand in his tie he was wearing, woolie pullie, belt! and hat leaving him in shoes, shirt and trousers LOL.. and that was it....... freedom!

We decided to walk over to work to say a final goodbye as it was only over the other side of the building.... as we walked along he got the "Airman where is your hat?" LOL to which he turned round and told the said person in no uncertain terms where he could stick his hat.......

We never got any badge etc, though my final swansong Groundrun on a VC10 which was supposed to be low power to clear the drains on a Royal as it was on Sunday morning during Church, (a strict no no unless it was operationally needed), managed to mysteriously get up to 100% power for some considerable time and was pointing on the correct bay in the right direction for all to hear, which for some reason did not seem to go down well in certain higher echelons....

I even got a nice lift sent out for me by OC Eng, who on hearing I had a day to do smiled


Coming back out into the real world may seem a culture shock for a while as the brainwashing wears off...... but the grass can be greener on the other side of the hill... indeed Sand may well be a forgettable option for you now.....

[XV277]

Originally Posted by L1011GE

And why oh why do I need to know I was in date on my fitness test, swimming test,Dental, IRT,IDT and CCS?

All produced on nice quality certificate paper.....
.

You probably don't but if you went for a job somewhere it might be sufficient to impress on someone that you are fine, dedicated fellow who maintained his competencies.

[dogstar2]

A couple of posters have said that they have heard nothing since they left and that they felt on their own. You have to admit, however, that the resettlement package provided for the forces is pretty good. It is something which is not given by many other employers who really do just leave you to your own devices.

[grandad]

What do you expect from an organization that after 30 years takes your watch off you

[dallas]

Originally Posted by dogstar2

A couple of posters have said that they have heard nothing since they left and that they felt on their own. You have to admit, however, that the resettlement package provided for the forces is pretty good. It is something which is not given by many other employers who really do just leave you to your own devices.

I agree, it's a pretty good package. I'm also puzzled by people who want to maintain ties with the RAF - some of the people, maybe - but aren't those who are leaving voluntarily trying to get away from things RAF? Of course there will always be the regimental blazer crowd - and I don't mean WW2 veterans - telling stories at the mess bar, but personally you won't see me for dust!

[Dengue_Dude]

My only regret when I left was that I hadn't left sooner.

That said, after a while the irritants die off and generally I remember only the good stuff (that said, I still have the odd Victor Meldrew day).

I even had withdrawal symptoms and went back with the RAuxAF for a couple of trips which was 'interesting' to say the least.

BUT, the arrival of the pension is gratefully received each month - tends to take the sting out of the sh1t we all endured.

I am SO glad I'm not having to put up with what the poor sods are putting up with now - in ALL the Armed Services. I reckon I had it easy . . .

[sisemen]

A badge???!!!! You were lucky. When I left all I heard was the clang of gates and no 1250 to get back in!

The pension's pretty good though ....... and I plan on living a long, long time to take advantage of it.

[South Bound]

I posted because I thought the whole "Thank you"" for 30 years was very pathetic.

Well fella, based on your forum title and location, I think I know who you are and I would like to say thanks for the time that you worked for me. It was never dull (especially with JQ around), although you swapping chewed up chillis with DS one Christmas morning is a memory that you should probably not share with any prospective employer! (Drown the puppies...)

[NutLoose]

Quote:
I posted because I thought the whole "Thank you"" for 30 years was very pathetic.

Well L1011GE in that case..................... Thank you

Now get a job ya Bum