The Fat Lady Has Sung

[oldmansquipper]

Leaving after 39 years man & boy (Not too long ago, I might add), I was struck by the contrast in "goodbyes" I received at HQSTC (Remember that organisation?)

I had a leaving interview with the incumbent VVSO where I was able to put my views on the way things RAF had gone and were going... The VVSO seemed genuinely respectful of my views and my lifetime of service. The informal chat lasted a good while and I was impressed that one so exalted could still find the time!

I then handed in my F1250 at SHQ. It was exchanged for a tiny bit of paper by a callow youth in civvies (...and who would have looked more at home in Maccy Ds). Sadly, his only words were:

"Thanks, mate"


I guess I was lucky to get that!

[Whenurhappy]

Although troops are well treated within the US whilst they are serving (and that there is very warm and heart-felt recognition of their committment - qv my comments) I think it's time that the myth about the way US 'veterans' are treated is debunked:

• Medical Care at VA hospitals - we have a quicker (and by most accounts superior) NHS which is available 24/7 throughout the UK.
• Transition assistance - Active Duty personnel get bu&&er all assistance compare like-on-like resettlement offered to UK SP.
• Pensions. Certainly those on AFPS 75 get a pretty good deal on leaving regular service; if you are Active Duty Reserve, you get very little - especially as these some of these guys and girls have been active duty reserve for over 10 years. Regular pensions are about the same, but no lump sum.
• Access to AFFES and the DECA (Commisary). Access is restricted if you are retired and both the B/P/NX and Commisary are no longer seen as particularly competitive in CONUS. Ideal if you are at Fort Woebegone in the middle of no-where, or in some Johnny-Foreigner's country.
• Space-A travel. I was at Ramstein a while back checking into Lodging (local hotels are a comparable price btw) and there was a group of veterans who were trying to get back to the US. And had been for 8 days - caught in the middle of a Theatre rotation. They were also shipped out of the Lodging because of the need for SP undergoing the usual Summer Rotation out of Europe. Good deal, eh?
• Special Deals for 'Vets'. How many times do you need to visit Disneyworld or Universal Studios Or get that free coffee at WalMart(TM)? Again, deasl on-line tend to be better, so I have been told.

Undoubtably the US has a lot 'right' but the reality is lot more prosaic.

[Herc-u-lease]

not wanting to deviate off topic too much, the VA is for Veterans; however, if you get a full military retirement (20+ years i think) you are entitled to use the base hospitals, which from experience are far superior to the NHS. Retirees become part of the Tricare scheme, which allows access to these facilities.

PN, agreed - a cultural thing which would need to be promoted from the very top down

H

[Lightning Mate]

CB,

Get over it.

What do you want - a g column in a national newspaper?

Like me, you are (were) a totally expendable asset, so why don't you just go forth and multiply and enjoy your time in the real world!!!

[Blacksheep]

I walked out of the gate in '77; it was something of a culture shock. By 1980 it was just a nice warm memory. Since leaving I've changed jobs four times and although it was an upheaval each time, with no nice words or ceremony from the company, who cares? Leaving a job is just the same as setting off on a new tour of duty: just treat it like that.

[Rigga]

PVRd in 99 from Laarbruch after 24 years - through the gate on Friday for months of "resettlement" and started work the following Wednesday after moving into a new house. I told the Taxman...but paid no extra dosh.

At first, I missed it all - but no longer. I'd even joined Colt Mess as an Ex but I dont even miss that now.

I remember I had to go to Gloucester/Innsworth to hand my ID back and had an interview with some bloke there - bigger than a Groupie - but I can't remember who or what he was now.

He and that "Job" are now almost irrelevant to what I do now = you do get over it.

[Tourist]

Yes, Rigga, I can tell.

That's why you post on here is it?
Your total lack of "missing it"

[Ron Cake]

It used to be that many approaching retirement found themselves administered by Uxbridge. They were on the SD list which included those at MOD, on foreign exchange tours, with the Inspectorate of Recruiting and on Attache duties -in fact just about anyone who did not have an RAF Station to call home. So there was no ceremony when your time was up. When I PVR'd after 30 plus years I expected nothing more. I just handed in my 1250 at the guardroom then walked through the historic main gates at Uxbridge into a new life.

But there was a pleasant surprise. A telegram had arrived at the end of my last posting (overseas) from a 3 star at MOD wishing me well for the future. The connection? None at all, except that some 15 years earlier he had been the boss of my last squadron.

I really appreciated that gesture. I just hope that today's VSOs have the time and inclination for the 'personal touch. It makes a difference.

[Biggus]

Ron,

Reference your last - nope.....!!

[Rigga]

Tourist,
You are of course correct. I found this site when I missed the former job "a bit" and I joined it then. I still enjoy the banter, the insults, the ignorance and the arrogance. Reminds me of what I found since.

[Courtney Mil]

Interesting. Some VSOs are far too busy being important to worry about things like that. I received a very nice letter about a year after my departure. Not from my AOC at the time, but from his sucessor,. One was a nice bloke, interested in his people, one was a chiseler. Guess which was which. I have to say, I was rather pleased to receive the letter.

[Waddo Plumber]

On my last day, in 1989, the chief clerk at Upavon took my F1250 and tossed it in his desk drawer with many more. "That's it" he confirmed. However, I too got a couple of nice letters from VSOs I'd worked for.

[Courtney Mil]

I'm sure it's those generous thoughts that will make us all willing 'volunteers' when they need their reservists after the balloon goes up and there are too few regulars left.

I know what you're going to say.

[sisemen]

What do you want - a g column in a national newspaper?

Sometimes you do I'm in there somewhere!

[Baldeep Inminj]

Unfortunately, the RAF really don't give a rats ar*e when you leave- you are just somebody they don't have to make redundant.

I heard a colleague say once 'Leaving the RAF is like taking your hand out of a bucket of water. It doesn't matter if your hand was there for 5 minutes or 40 years - the second you take it out, there's no hole left.'

[Red Line Entry]

Baldeep,

It's a true statement, and, in a fighting Service, it HAS to be true. The organisation needs to roll on without a blip. But as Courtney highlighted, it's the gestures by friends and colleagues that makes the difference to the individual.

[Whenurhappy]

Siseman,

Perhaps you the Sqn Ldr at the end of the Adminsitrative Branch entry discharged by Sentence of Court Martial?


Does anyone know any more details about this chap. I was around then, albeit a JO, but I don't remember this CM.

[Wander00]

Canot read the name of the guy dismissed by CM - anyone know the name - I was arond the, in UK

[Pontius Navigator]

The name is quite clear if you know how to look. Coincidentally, just two names above is the name of a frequent ppruner. As for the CM name, I do believe I know of that person.

[Prop Fwd]

My last working Day after 30 years man and boy, everybody called into the office and a hearty goodbye and thankyou was said.... to one of the Flt Lt Navs who was off on OOA then over to 39 Sqn.

I did make a point of then saying goodbye to Sqn Ldr, Flight commander and WO, the look of embarrassment from each when I said "right thats me off then" was priceless.

Sad to go but thats life.