Security Alert
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Linton on Ouse
Security Alert
I am an Honorary Member of the Officers Mess at RAF Linton on Ouse. I have been retired for fourteen years after 41 years of service. I cannot get a "base pass" to use the facility. Last year I was told to apply for a social pass to be signed by the Officers Mess manager (A civilian!) which he did recently only to be told that I required security clearance to enable me to get on base. I worked at Linton for 20 years and live in the village. I am profoundly insulted by the "need" for a security clearance to gain access to a training base. WHO ARE THE MONKEYS RUNNING THIS SHOW ?
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,158
Likes: 49
From: UK
Those that serve, including you before retirement, require a basic security clearance to be issued a permanent pass. There probably isn't a good reason to change that once retired, so whilst it may be a pain they are only treating you like everyone else.
It is great to see you maintaining your links and that you are an honorary member of a mess, but it does come with caveats and in this case they are treating you like every other member of that mess.
It is great to see you maintaining your links and that you are an honorary member of a mess, but it does come with caveats and in this case they are treating you like every other member of that mess.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,340
Likes: 112
From: UK
I would say use the College Arms but seeing as their custom was down due to the lack of local custom (all in the Mess I suspect drinking cheap booze 
) then they closed last year. As JTO says, it’s a simple set of rules everywhere - no pass, no entry, no clearance, no pass. Have you offered to pay for your clearance?
) then they closed last year. As JTO says, it’s a simple set of rules everywhere - no pass, no entry, no clearance, no pass. Have you offered to pay for your clearance?
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: The Alderaan System
Do you really expect to be treated any differently to anyone else? If I was the PMC I would be ‘profoundly insulted’ that you think yourself entitled to special treatment and seriously consider revoking your honorary membership of the mess. If I was the Stn Cdr I would be profoundly insulted at being called a ‘monkey’? Get over yourself you pompous fool.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
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From: Linton on Ouse
Agree. My wife has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and would like her wake to be held in the Officers Mess. Bit difficult to organise at the moment and amongst other things, since she has a few days to live this pompous fool is trying to get on with the organisation
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: UK
With every sympathy for the wretched circumstance...
If you are an honorary mess member then surely you have the contact details for the PMC or Mess Manager who can sign you in ‘Accompanied’ at the drop of a hat.
’Accompanied’ only inconveniences the chaperone.
My best - but hopelessly inadequate - wishes to your wife.
If you are an honorary mess member then surely you have the contact details for the PMC or Mess Manager who can sign you in ‘Accompanied’ at the drop of a hat.
’Accompanied’ only inconveniences the chaperone.
My best - but hopelessly inadequate - wishes to your wife.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,340
Likes: 112
From: UK
So you will need escorts for all of your guests as well - it’s a good job you haven’t called the Stn Cdr and the Execs “Monkeys” then?
I am truly sorry to hear about your better half, but there are ways and means of trying to attract a sympathetic ear. May I humbly suggest you delete this thread and pick up the phone to the CO, “KT”, ask him nicely and explain your sad situation?
I am truly sorry to hear about your better half, but there are ways and means of trying to attract a sympathetic ear. May I humbly suggest you delete this thread and pick up the phone to the CO, “KT”, ask him nicely and explain your sad situation?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4
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From: Linton on Ouse
I do not believe I have called the Stn Execs Monkeys although sometimes I did when serving !. I do call those responsible for security implementation monkeys though. At Linton a civilian Simulator instructor needs to be escorted if he/she wished to visit anywhere else on the station and must park on the main car park and not outside the sim. The lunatics are running the asylum but where are the orders coming from ?
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,180
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From: Here and there.
Something has changed at Linton.
Like Great Uncle I am retired having served at Linton as my last posting. I often have to go on camp for Air Cadet meetings and to check on the DF there. Up until last year I never had any problems all my details are on the security system but last visit I was not allowed on unescorted as has been the case since 2004. They had to get me an escort and guess who they accepted? A 14-year old Air Cadet who happened to be coming on to base for parade night! You just cannot make it up.
Previous week I was at Leeming, all my details on their system and unescorted pass issued with no problem for a meet at Air Traffic.
Like Great Uncle I am retired having served at Linton as my last posting. I often have to go on camp for Air Cadet meetings and to check on the DF there. Up until last year I never had any problems all my details are on the security system but last visit I was not allowed on unescorted as has been the case since 2004. They had to get me an escort and guess who they accepted? A 14-year old Air Cadet who happened to be coming on to base for parade night! You just cannot make it up.
Previous week I was at Leeming, all my details on their system and unescorted pass issued with no problem for a meet at Air Traffic.
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Right here, right now
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Under the EGOS circuit
I am profoundly insulted by the "need" for a security clearance to gain access to a training base.
If I was the Stn Cdr I would be profoundly insulted at being called a ‘monkey’? Get over yourself you pompous fool.
Everyone who has access to a military facility must have a current - not historic - clearance. End of (as I believe the young people say...)
Joined: Feb 2006
Aviation Qualifications: LAME
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From: Falling off the end of the thread
With the likes of escorted photographic visits they have these days to active stations surely it's not within the realm of feasibility to have the guests turn up on a coach and be escorted to the venue.
My heart goes out to you at this dreadful time and one can totally understand your frustration with it all with the stresses involved.
For what it's worth I returned to my last station having left the week prior to attend our Christmas do and had to be escorted on even though I was still on resettlement leave, though having handed in my ID card.
My heart goes out to you at this dreadful time and one can totally understand your frustration with it all with the stresses involved.
For what it's worth I returned to my last station having left the week prior to attend our Christmas do and had to be escorted on even though I was still on resettlement leave, though having handed in my ID card.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 477
Likes: 4
From: Herts, UK
I left on retirement 6 years ago and I certainly don't expect to walk up to a service establishment and be allowed in, I'm very much a civilian now. My former service is neither here nor there.
I went back to Northolt a few years ago to give a talk to service leavers on their resettlement course, and I was signed in and escorted, I expected nothing less. The sense of entitlement of some former servicemen staggers me.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 657
Likes: 1
Mind you doesn't really explain the logic about not considering the balance of any extant clearance being able to be applied in such circumstances. You leave with 4 years left on a DV and are told that it's terminated upon leaving and to start from scratch again with any new application, even if it is only to access the Mess.
Reality is once you leave as far as the "system" is concerned you are - at least in this country - history.........
Reality is once you leave as far as the "system" is concerned you are - at least in this country - history.........
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Joined: Dec 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 16,699
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From: Lincolnshire
SATCOS mentioned 2004. I suspect that things tighten up over time.
In contrast, 10 years earlier the local RAFA branch met in the NAFFI Club.
In contrast, 10 years earlier the local RAFA branch met in the NAFFI Club.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,125
Likes: 1
From: UK
Perhaps useful to consider the implications of the reverse being true - ie everyone who’s ever served free to swan around military establishments at their leisure?
As for security clearances. Leaving the military surely counts as ‘exceptional circumstance’ or at least ‘significant change in circumstances’ -so you’d expect to have to re-apply. Otherwise the vetting chaps really wouldn’t be doing their job.
I find losing access a bit of a pain and losing the clearance was a pain too. But both are perfectly understandable.
As for security clearances. Leaving the military surely counts as ‘exceptional circumstance’ or at least ‘significant change in circumstances’ -so you’d expect to have to re-apply. Otherwise the vetting chaps really wouldn’t be doing their job.
I find losing access a bit of a pain and losing the clearance was a pain too. But both are perfectly understandable.
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,858
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From: SW England
Slightly different situation but when I was near RAF Marham a couple of years back I thought I'd take a look at my old station. I wanted to take a photo of Marham's "gate guardian" Victor K2 (actually it's on the old parade square) so I walked as far as the barrier, but realised that I needed to be a few yards inside to get a decent shot. I asked the guard if I could go in just a bit further to take my photo. He agreed and I said "Dont worry, I'm not going to try and get further onto the base" He replied, "I'm not worried, if you try that I'll shoot you".
I think he was joking!
I think he was joking!