The Fat Lady Has Sung

[Canadian Break]

Well chaps, that's it. As of 10 minutes ago it's all over! 33 years service to Queen and Country done: No fanfare, no "thanks", just a "don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out" from a Sgt in Handbrake House". Thanks for all the pies! It's "goodnight " from him and "goodnight" from me!

[Willard Whyte]

A week (- 50 minutes) to go for me.

Will miss the pay, and the non-chiselers, not the job - at least, not what the job had become in the last few years.

[Laarbruch72]

Seriously though, did you expect some sort of marvellous ceremony at PSF? Trumpets? Angels?

After my 22 I handed in my ID card and the clerk issued a paper one for my last few months, just in case I had to access the Med Centre, and that was us done. I had to ask the clerk, "was that it?". He confirmed that it was.

Come on, you're leaving an employer, just see it as that and then look forward to meeting your new employer. We can be too romantic after a full career in the RAF, just see it as proof that you're loyal. And then move on for goodness sake!

[orca]

Mate. I admire your credentials and think we should be genuinely grateful for the service of those who give up such a massive chunk of their lives to our military.

However...when I come to leave I shall consider myself incredibly sad if Pprune features in my thought process for the first ten days - let alone in the first ten minutes!

Shouldn't you be either down the boozer, on your first ganja bender or possibly even up to your wotsits in...errr..wotsit?

[mini]

I think I speak for the majority here in that most of us just wandered out the gate and got on with it.

We all did our job, decided to move on etc.

No big deal in the greater scheme of things...

PS It happens all the time, you're just one of hundreds others out on your day, get over it and move on.

Times have changed

[Roadster280]

First thing I did when I left the mob was grow a beard. I'd never seen it. Great big bushy thing. I went back a few months later and popped into see the sergeant major, knowing he'd have an apoplexy. He was on the phone to someone when I popped my head round the door "F*** ME! A yeti's just walked in!".

[endplay]

A whole series of "First time I've done that as a civvie" now awaits. Enjoy it all.

[Whenurhappy]

Two weeks ago I was invited to a retirement function for a USAF Lt Col who was retiring at relatively short notice for family reasons. Like many pruners, I have attended US change of command and promotion events over the years and have laughed at their cheesiness. However, the function was spot on. The Head of Mission presented him with a certificate from POTUS, another one from CJCS and a third from the CSUSAF. This was after a humorous account of the guy's stellar career, and then the retiree spoke for a few minutes in a typically laconic fast jet operator sort of way. We all stood for the US Anthem and then they both walked out as the USAF anthem was played - straight into an informal reception with food and drink.

Those attending (including several British types) agreed that it was a nice thing to do, not OTT and a great recognition by his country and colleagues for his 24 years' service (8 of it enlisted). I think I've said it before on Pprune: our stiff upper lip and cynical approach to individual achievement is looking a bit dated. I'm reasonably senior but have never had a formal letter congratulating me on promotion nor have I ever had any of my 7 UK medals formally awarded (except for the QDJM when a visiting 2* shook my hands, along with several other colleagues who received the gong). I Ls know that there will be no formal recognition when I leave. Sometimes it's nice to get a pat on the back...

Thoughts?

[Pontius Navigator]

Laarbruch, I am sure we take your point, but even in 1990 it was a different air force from the one that Canadian Break had joined in 1979 and others before that even.

Before the military salary it was not a job it was a life, OK maybe only for a number of years, but it was total immersion; we didn't get paid enough to be able to afford a life outside.

Bomber Command, Fighter Command, Coastal Command, MEAF and FEAF all had wars on with Transport Command providing the logistics string except we had not heard of logisitics. It was busy, effective, and still had plenty of time for enjoyment albeit with lots of restrictions and 12 months unaccompanied tours.

We were not lean but then we were only fighting low intensity conflicts awaiting the big match.

Remember when that stude in the TV Programme, Fighter Pilot I think, said it was only a 9-5 job? Their airships blew a fuse and ordered all ab initio aircrew to live in for the first year of their initial operational tour, by then the rot had set in and they were acting like Canute.

Around the time you joined. at the end of my penultimate tour, I went in to my bosses office on Friday afternoon and said good bye. "Oh you're leaving today? OK, goodbye." Really valued. Leaving my final tour it was better.

[jindabyne]

Aside from a memorable alcoholic lunch with a handful of mates in the Samuel Pepys, the sole acknowledgment I had from the 'Firm' was a reminder, two days before leaving, to hand back my aircrew watch. Though departing BAe Warton some twelve years later was, by comparison, a very unemotive affair.
Leaving the RAF was akin to walking out of the family: leaving BAe was a decree nisi!

[ricardian]

I was an instructor at 3 MHU (RAuxAF), RAF Mountbatten when I left in 1973. On my last day I had an interview with the CO, a WgCdr & Master Mariner. I'd never seen him before and he had a piece of paper telling him who I was. It was embarrassing for us both; he asked me what boats I'd worked on, I pointed out that I had no connection with RAF Marine Craft ; he asked if I'd considered signing on for 22 years, I pointed out there were no vacancies in my rank & trade & that I was medically downgraded so I couldn't sign on even if I wanted to; he asked what I was going to do in civvy street, I said I started work with GCHQ at Bletchley Park in two weeks time (on good money); he stood up and wished me well and we shook hands.
I enjoyed 30 years with GCHQ (in Staffordshire, Gloucestershire, Yorkshire & Sutherland) before retiring and moving to Orkney.

[Herc-u-lease]

Whenurhappy,

I too have seen several of the USAF leaving/retirement ceremonies. A you said, not cheesy but sufficient ceremony to recognize a substantial amount of time committed to serving your country. It is not difficult and very much welcomed. Of course there are those of us who don't want such a thing and would think it's bolleaux

We often talk about lack of public recognition of the military's role - perhaps we should make more effort within the forces!

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by Herc-u-lease

We often talk about lack of public recognition of the military's role - perhaps we should make more effort within the forces!

Do unto others as you would have done to you?

[dalek]

Whenurhappy

The way the US treat their retired personnel is very generous compared to the way we in the UK are treated are treated.
Unless things have changed in the recent past, they are still entitled to use Service Accommodation on holidays, MAC Flights, and have access to Military Hospitals. The final perk is (or was?) a massive inducement in recruiting.

[sisemen]

just a "don't let the door hit you in the arse on the way out" from a Sgt in Handbrake House

Seriously though, did you expect some sort of marvellous ceremony at PSF? Trumpets? Angels?

At the end of 30 years - even though PSF was one of my flights - I didn't even get the first quote

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by dalek

still entitled to use Service Accommodation on holidays, MAC Flights, and have access to Military Hospitals.

What Military Hospitals? There was an active thread on that topic earlier.

You want to stay in a Transit Block in the centre of nowhere?

You want to go on holiday to Afg in a Herc?

The days when we had plenty of spare mess accommodation scattered around the world - Gibraltar, Malta, Nicosia, Aden, Singapore etc have long gone. Regular route flying by regular passenger aircraft - Comet, Britannia, VC10 and TriStar are all long gone.

What might you offer now? The sailing club, motor club, AmDram, Sunday lunch?

[Willard Whyte]

Even in the 'good old days', and whichever era we served in it was generally better towards the beginning rather than end even allowing for rose tinted aircrew spectacles, we generally received better perks when visiting American bases than British.

Unless having to wear a jacket and tie for dinner makes you feel special, of course.

[Lima Juliet]

For a lot of people they don't actually leave there and then as they transfer to the Regular Reserve:

At the end of your service in the Regular Forces you will normally have a compulsory reserve liability. The length of your liability and the circumstances when you may be brought back into service depend upon your Service, rank, age, the type of commission or engagement which you entered and whether you are subject to the Reserve Forces Act (RFA) 1980 or the 1996 Act.

Ratings / Marines / Army Other Ranks and Airmen who enlisted before 1 April 1997 If you were a member of the Regular Forces before 1 April 1997 and did not re-enlist or extend your service on or after 1 April 1997, you will be subject to legislation contained in RFA 80. Essentially, ratings and marines with less than 22*years’ service have a 3-year liability in the Royal Fleet Reserve while Army other ranks and 46 airmen have a maximum 6-year liability in the Army Reserve and Royal Air Force Reserve respectively. On completion of up to 6 years’ service in the Army Reserve, former soldiers are discharged from the Army Reserve and become members of*the Army’s Long Term Reserve with a liability to recall until age 45. Personnel who complete 22*years’ service in the RN or RM have a*liability to recall until age 55, while those who leave the Army or RAF after 22 years’ service have a recall liability until age 60.

Ratings / Marines / Army Other Ranks and Airmen who enlisted from 1 April 1997 If you enlisted, re-enlisted or extended your service in the Regular Forces on or after 1 April 1997, you will be subject to the legislation contained in the RFA 96. Generally, ratings and marines who do not complete 22*years’ service enter the Royal Fleet Reserve for a 3-year period followed by a 3-year recall liability or until age 55*years, whichever is the sooner. Army other ranks, including those serving on the Versatile Engagement (VEng) who do not complete their engagements in full*and who complete less than 15*years’ service enter the Army Reserve for 6*years or until completion of engagement, whichever is the sooner. An airman who completes 16 years’ service or less will be transferred to the RAF Reserve of Airmen for a*period of 6*years. This is followed by a recall liability of 12 years or until age 55, whichever is the sooner. Army other ranks who complete their VEng and airmen who leave the RAF with more than 15 years’ service have a recall liability for 18*years or until age 55 whichever is the sooner. With the exception of those in the Army VEng, personnel who leave the Regular Forces on completion of 22*years’ service have a recall liability until age 55 or for 18 years from the date of leaving service, whichever is the sooner.

Officers Irrespective of the date of commissioning, officers serving on Short Service Commissions are transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve (Emergency List) or the Army Reserve (Regular Army Reserve of Officers) or the Royal Air Force Reserve. They will normally have a call-out liability for 4 years at which point they will be*discharged without any further liability. Officers holding permanent commissions in the Royal Navy or Royal Marines are transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on leaving the Royal Navy or Royal Marines and will have a call-out liability until age 60 years. Army officers who hold regular commissions are transferred to the Army Reserve (Regular Army Reserve of Officers) until such time as they reach the age point appropriate to their rank and cap-badge. On leaving the RAF, officers serving on permanent commissions in the RAF in the rank of*Group Captain or below and commissioned before 1 April 1997 have a recall liability until their 60th years. 1* and 2* RAF officers have a recall liability until age 65 and 3* and 4* have a liability until 67. RAF officers commissioned on or*after 1 April 1997 and who hold permanent commissions have a liability to recall until age 55*years or for 18 years from the time of leaving the RAF, whichever is the sooner.

So the fanfare could be a transfer to the Reserves and the issue of Reservists' ID Card with an expiry date at the end of liability. That way, you could use the Mess, belong to Service Clubs and enjoy some of the benefits of your service. Also, that way, you would also be told of your responsibilities under the Reserve Forces Act at the same time.

For those that truly retire, then maybe a presentation of your certificate of service in a wooden frame and a hand shake from the Stn Cdr or AOC?

LJ

[Saintsman]

I PVR'd after 14 years. Any doubts I might have had were cast aside when I was getting my blue card completed and I recieved a bollocking for some petty reason.

Yup, definately the right decision.

[Courtney Mil]

My final duty in the RAF was a two-week diving expedition to Thailand, which meant I missed the dining out at High Wycombe, where I might have been acknowledged. But no worries, my dive buddy organized the best farewell dinner anyone could wish for in a tiny Thai restauraunt near Phuket. The team even made me a cake - something the locals found most intruiging. Much better than a stuffy dinner, surrounded by people you barely know with insincere speeches written by someone else.

The lesson, as is often the case, is the best feelings come from colleagues and friends around you than from the heirarchy.

Thanks again, Daz. I still remember my happy departure from the RAF.

Courtney