In my last 12 months in the RAF I will...
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In my last 12 months in the RAF I will...
Just over a year left. My list so far:
Complete that sailing qualification I’ve been meaning to do for years.
Go to a Royal garden party with Mrs r2 and some friends.
Any more ideas?
Complete that sailing qualification I’ve been meaning to do for years.
Go to a Royal garden party with Mrs r2 and some friends.
Any more ideas?
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Retrospectively, my last year was micromanaging my assorted leave entitlements and an overseas shooting competition, so that when I received my Redundancy Letter from my SASO (on 15 Aug 93) I could exchange that for a Leave Pass that covered everything (bar the duty shooting bit) that covered me until my last day on 20 Jan 94. I cleared the last bits from my office, had a coffee in the HQ ‘crewroom’ and drove home.
I was FREEEEEE!!
You may note I had had enough by then, after 29 years.
I was FREEEEEE!!
You may note I had had enough by then, after 29 years.
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...stack together all my annual, terminal, podl and carried forward leave, along with my full resettlement allowance, then walk out the door 6 months early and never look back.
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But it had been a lot of fun over the 29 years, and I think I did quite well from it. Would I do it again? Yes, if I could start again back in the 60s!!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
The Royal Garden Party is the difficult one. I don't manage that but I did get 4 weeks resettlement in India on Rate 1s.
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Not sure I would want to stand in the Buck House garden for a few hours in the faint prospect of being introduced to HM.
Anyway, I have ticked a few Royals over the years (HMQ, 1962, CCF Guard of Honour) and standing around to tick another isn’t my scene
Anyway, I have ticked a few Royals over the years (HMQ, 1962, CCF Guard of Honour) and standing around to tick another isn’t my scene
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Old chap I knew having been told on his last day as a traffic cop that he couldn't leave until his in tray was cleared promptly shredded the contents of it at 5pm before departing on time.
R2
Ignore BGG. I’m sure you’re doing plenty of planning ahead. For now though milk it for all its worth.
If you haven’t already done so might I suggest getting on a Snow Eagle trip (free skiing) or the ski champs (not free but bloody good fun).
BV
If you haven’t already done so might I suggest getting on a Snow Eagle trip (free skiing) or the ski champs (not free but bloody good fun).
BV
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...stack together all my annual, terminal, podl and carried forward leave, along with my full resettlement allowance, then walk out the door 6 months early and never look back.
Also, I worked full time in another (civil service) job throughout the period, much to the chagrin of the unit Resettlement Officer. I Also agree with the don't look back part (well maybe just a little) but don't be bitter about your time in the mob, whatever the reason for leaving because that is just sad.
Live in the present, plan for the future, treasure the past.
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This. In my case 191 days.
Also, I worked full time in another (civil service) job throughout the period, much to the chagrin of the unit Resettlement Officer. I Also agree with the don't look back part (well maybe just a little) but don't be bitter about your time in the mob, whatever the reason for leaving because that is just sad.
Live in the present, plan for the future, treasure the past.
Also, I worked full time in another (civil service) job throughout the period, much to the chagrin of the unit Resettlement Officer. I Also agree with the don't look back part (well maybe just a little) but don't be bitter about your time in the mob, whatever the reason for leaving because that is just sad.
Live in the present, plan for the future, treasure the past.
The Aldershot training courses are excellent. Consider getting qualified to do electrical home installation and keep the tick, it can save you and family a fortune in the long run.
Be quite hard over with line management about what you want in your last year too.
Do NOT volunteer for an air-test on your last afternoon! I did (so that I could do a V low-level pass over the ex Mrs Mog) and ended up with no pitch control when the pitch trim motor malfunctioned and jammed solid in a 70degree screaming dive. Luckily all those boring hours on CAP, trying to fly patterns with only rudder, nozzles and throttle to turn the corners, paid off and I managed to RTB and land safely, if not very prettily!
Swing the lamp!
Swing the lamp!
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Great ideas and some good bants.
BGG - post airforce plans already well developed thanks 😁
Tower bridge is tempting but I’m not sure my big old girl would fit under it!
BGG - post airforce plans already well developed thanks 😁
Tower bridge is tempting but I’m not sure my big old girl would fit under it!
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
And the day after?
I know there have been lots of talk about retired ID cards etc but how about Mess Membership?
Serving officers will know about all the levels of mess membership and will have met a number of honorary members that have been duly elected (or even black balled).
What are the views on applying for honorary membership at your local mess with attendance at dining in nights, cocktail party and balls? I have my views, what of yours?
I know BGG would say, never look back.
Serving officers will know about all the levels of mess membership and will have met a number of honorary members that have been duly elected (or even black balled).
What are the views on applying for honorary membership at your local mess with attendance at dining in nights, cocktail party and balls? I have my views, what of yours?
I know BGG would say, never look back.
...stack together all my annual, terminal, podl and carried forward leave, along with my full resettlement allowance, then walk out the door 6 months early and never look back.
This. In my case 191 days.
So I wasn't interested in any resettlement course.Get a year planner, work out the exact number of days from your exit (including all public holidays etc), clear your desk / office, hand in your crummy watch and say a fond farewell to your NBC kit and ID card. Then go.
Live in the present, plan for the future, treasure the past.
Another thing you might wish to consider is BUPA membership on the Armed Forces scheme before you leave - it's a lot cheaper than the civilian rate and continues even in retirement.
Think before you ever consider applying for honorary mess membership - as reader8 stated:
Only works for two types, tedious ones who everybody wishes would leave and absolute legends after 40 years in.
Just beware of Income Tax for your first couple of years of self-employment until the system settles down - although you'll probably be over-assessed to begin with, but the eventual tax refund cheque will be very pleasant!
Last edited by BEagle; 22nd Jul 2018 at 18:42.
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Do they still do resettlement briefings from industry etc, I managed to get myself on lots of them, with the warrants, mileage claims and rate ones, I racked up a lot of extra cash.
If one was available I would go on it, I even managed to attend a working in the nuclear industry 2 day course that required experience, I was asked if I had any and I ticked the box yes but couldn't discuss it... They were thinking nuclear reactors and I was thinking bombs... But I got the pretty interesting course and of course the financial benefit.
If one was available I would go on it, I even managed to attend a working in the nuclear industry 2 day course that required experience, I was asked if I had any and I ticked the box yes but couldn't discuss it... They were thinking nuclear reactors and I was thinking bombs... But I got the pretty interesting course and of course the financial benefit.
----- look after ME.
As has been said: get all your various leaves and authorised absences sorted. Everything should be about you, after all the job has been King for years and it's time for it to give something back.
As has been said: get all your various leaves and authorised absences sorted. Everything should be about you, after all the job has been King for years and it's time for it to give something back.
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a year planner, work out the exact number of days from your exit (including all public holidays etc), clear your desk / office, hand in your crummy watch and say a fond farewell to your NBC kit and ID card. Then go.
Steady on there, see how much it will cost you Not to hand in your watch, I would imagine the RAF has some fixed low price for lost or misplaced watches and they do go for over a grand on evilbay these days, version dependant..