Finding work for the military wives
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Finding work for the military wives
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BBC News - Finding work for the military wives
Sun.
BBC News - Finding work for the military wives
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So why wasn't the title "Finding work for the military partners", in the first place?
"And we're not just talking wives. These days, military spouses are also husbands and they can find it even more difficult because people think the man should be the breadwinner while wives can stay at home, as old-fashioned as that sounds."
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Originally Posted by Al R
So why wasn't the title "Finding work for the military partners", in the first place?
Quote:
"And we're not just talking wives. These days, military spouses are also husbands and they can find it even more difficult because people think the man should be the breadwinner while wives can stay at home, as old-fashioned as that sounds."
Quote:
"And we're not just talking wives. These days, military spouses are also husbands and they can find it even more difficult because people think the man should be the breadwinner while wives can stay at home, as old-fashioned as that sounds."
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Tash,
Thats because it is the BBC innit. And now we have social capital - elite and preceriat classes too, no less! Although you can anonymously admit to knowing a solicitor you aren't asked about socialising with those 'orrible servicemen and wimmin.
BBC News - The Great British class calculator: What class are you?
Thats because it is the BBC innit. And now we have social capital - elite and preceriat classes too, no less! Although you can anonymously admit to knowing a solicitor you aren't asked about socialising with those 'orrible servicemen and wimmin.
BBC News - The Great British class calculator: What class are you?
On top of shoddy housing, patchy schooling, and the tightening down of CEA, partners' employment prospects are yet another reason for families to live off camp, put down roots in a town and for the service person to become a weekend commuter... it won't be long before the majority do this, if they don't already. Patch life is on the wane and I'm not sure it will be missed...
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
What about the 5 year tours?
At least most types are on a single base so aircrew don't move do they. except when the base moves, or they get posted to a staff job, or . . .
At least most types are on a single base so aircrew don't move do they. except when the base moves, or they get posted to a staff job, or . . .
I am reminded of a seriously junior JP whose view was that,
"An officer's wife has a position to uphold, and should not, therefore work (on camp)".
His Boss's wife was a doctor in the Med Centre, and his spouse was a former camp telephonist. Cranwell did a hell of a job in those days- not a sign of the scar, even on baldies!
I allowed Mrs G to work, and she said I could say it was so.
CG
"An officer's wife has a position to uphold, and should not, therefore work (on camp)".
His Boss's wife was a doctor in the Med Centre, and his spouse was a former camp telephonist. Cranwell did a hell of a job in those days- not a sign of the scar, even on baldies!
I allowed Mrs G to work, and she said I could say it was so.
CG
Last edited by charliegolf; 4th Apr 2013 at 08:24.
Anyone remember LinPac at Horncastle in the seventies? Used to send a minibus to Coningsby to collect and return the wives, who were more than happy to work an evening for a bit of extra cash, as were LinPac to have them.
Might have changed now, but in my recollection there were always local employers willing to take on wives, fully cogniscent of the fact they'd only be there for a couple of years, but that there'd be plenty of willing and able replacements.
Some would even say that as many local economies relied on partners working off base as the serving one on base.
Might have changed now, but in my recollection there were always local employers willing to take on wives, fully cogniscent of the fact they'd only be there for a couple of years, but that there'd be plenty of willing and able replacements.
Some would even say that as many local economies relied on partners working off base as the serving one on base.
There was a substantial change of attitude between my two tours at JHQ.
Late 1970s ............... "officers' wives should not take paid employment [reason given that it takes bread from mouths of other ranks] but voluntary work is OK: Girl Guides, Thrift Shop, Wool Shop, Lay Adviser to Judge Adv ........"
Late 1980s .................."anything goes, especially clerking in JHQ because in some magic way no UK tax is paid".
With four children to bring up, and dad on shifts, mum was definitely needed AT HOME for the first stint. Made up for it later!
[as an aside, try the BBC class nonsense survey on line and tinker with your input ..... it is quite difficult to drop below elite despite confessing to knowing all sorts of undesirables, and the financial ar*e hanging out of your trousers.]
My daughter tells me there are only two classes : Boden wearers, and non- BW. That puts me in my place, and I thought it was Weber ownership that mattered.
Late 1970s ............... "officers' wives should not take paid employment [reason given that it takes bread from mouths of other ranks] but voluntary work is OK: Girl Guides, Thrift Shop, Wool Shop, Lay Adviser to Judge Adv ........"
Late 1980s .................."anything goes, especially clerking in JHQ because in some magic way no UK tax is paid".
With four children to bring up, and dad on shifts, mum was definitely needed AT HOME for the first stint. Made up for it later!
[as an aside, try the BBC class nonsense survey on line and tinker with your input ..... it is quite difficult to drop below elite despite confessing to knowing all sorts of undesirables, and the financial ar*e hanging out of your trousers.]
My daughter tells me there are only two classes : Boden wearers, and non- BW. That puts me in my place, and I thought it was Weber ownership that mattered.
Brings back memories - married for second time in 84 as a recently promoted sqn ldr - Staish was Aunty Joan and very supportive of Mrs W working (as an accountant). Was not a problem at Br.....n, although the company car caused a few raised eyebrows, even more so when upgraded to a red BMW. However, wives still treated as cattle - Mrs W had a letter through the GPO to our MQ via Postman Pat - addressed solely to "Wife of Sqn Ldr W....". Resulted in my beginning the Toast to the Lasses at in following week's Burns Night "For those that do not know me, I come from the corner of the patch not known for attendance at Wives' Club or Flower arranging". Most neighbouring wives were working.
Wife of Sgt Golf.
That label lasted about 20 secs after my wife returned to the ward after Golf Minor's birth. Scary bird- thre were no challenges!
CG
That label lasted about 20 secs after my wife returned to the ward after Golf Minor's birth. Scary bird- thre were no challenges!
CG
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Luckily the MO at RAF Leeming in 1979 was married to a vet.
After a few too many sherberts at the leaving bash for the previous course (20 weeks long, each course overlapped 10 weeks onto the next) I found myself with a 4" cut in my forearm at 0330.
The MO declared himself unfit as he'd been enjoying himself. His wife, a civvy vet who had been on weekend call for work had driven him in, and did the suturing.
After a few too many sherberts at the leaving bash for the previous course (20 weeks long, each course overlapped 10 weeks onto the next) I found myself with a 4" cut in my forearm at 0330.
The MO declared himself unfit as he'd been enjoying himself. His wife, a civvy vet who had been on weekend call for work had driven him in, and did the suturing.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Anyone remember LinPac at Horncastle in the seventies? Used to send a minibus to Coningsby to collect and return the wives, who were more than happy to work an evening for a bit of extra cash, as were LinPac to have them.
Might have changed now, but in my recollection there were always local employers willing to take on wives, fully cogniscent of the fact they'd only be there for a couple of years, but that there'd be plenty of willing and able replacements.
Some would even say that as many local economies relied on partners working off base as the serving one on base.
Might have changed now, but in my recollection there were always local employers willing to take on wives, fully cogniscent of the fact they'd only be there for a couple of years, but that there'd be plenty of willing and able replacements.
Some would even say that as many local economies relied on partners working off base as the serving one on base.
Friend of ours used to run Leicesteralla in Tattershall in the 90s. He closed and moved production to Morocco as he couldn't get the staff. Foggatry's Feathers in Boston went. Gymflex, followed by Tayberry in Horncastle went too. Most recent one to go was Economine in Coningsby, but I think that was entirely recession and not lack of wives.
Then referring to LB's post, I seem to recall that almost all the civil servants at Coningsby were not wife's-of.
Last edited by Pontius Navigator; 5th Apr 2013 at 15:20.
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"For those that do not know me, I come from the corner of the patch not known
for attendance at Wives' Club or Flower arranging".
Admittedly, this was back in the day when it was known that it was the wife who got you promoted....it was her career to smooth the path of yours. I stayed as a Flt Lt!
shades of the army:
subalterns may not marry, captains may marry, majors should marry, colonels ought to be married.
and the wifey dress code was certainly readable in the 1970s ........ pie-crust white blouse collar came in at Mrs major level, for example.
subalterns may not marry, captains may marry, majors should marry, colonels ought to be married.
and the wifey dress code was certainly readable in the 1970s ........ pie-crust white blouse collar came in at Mrs major level, for example.
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Admittedly, this was back in the day when it was known that it was the wife who got you promoted....it was her career to smooth the path of yours.