Calling redundant WSOps and WSOs!
 

So have any WSOps or WSOs who were made redundant post SDSR '10 had any feelers from the RAF yet? Heard a snippet today that this may be about to happen....

Personally I'd tell them to poke it, can't imagine many would want to come back.:\

They must be getting worried given the number of people offered PA this year.

Presumably 5 odd years on most of those involved will have found new careers, settled in new locations, etc, and what can the RAF offer in terms of longevity of career?

I believe one of the issues is shortage of GR4 WSOs, surely if you can persuade anyone to rejoin they have the prospect of only 5 odd years of the aircraft still being in service?

I thought it might be more related to a (hopefully) new platform....

A good number were Nimrod aircrew so maybe they want P8 crews? I doubt their offer (T&Cs) would be that attractive to lure many folk back.

It makes I laarrff!

A number of years ago, those at the sharp end told the VSOs not to shut off Nav training. Why? Because OSDs always slip to the right and the RAF would catch a cold.

Funny old thing, that is now happening with the GR4 and - surprise, surprise - they are critically short of Navs, to the extent that they are re-recruiting well-known, back seat drongos, which the RAF was more than happy to get rid of of some years ago.

Life is certainly better on the outside looking in!:)

The first few have already started.

Any WSOps had an offer?

In the late '80s it was almost the norm for people leaving at 38 to rejoin a few years later for BSA. Now, with CEA being a rarity, and possibly not Service to 55 what is the attraction?

The sense of feeling valued? :hmm:

FWIW, I understand from a contact that GCHQ is now recruiting 'Radio Staff', for which read 'Electronic Wizards'. If applicable it could be a new career in which Service time adds to Civil Service pension.


But don't quote me on this - I don't have chapter and verse.

Met one yesterday who's back in, having been redunded post SDSR.

Personally, I cannot wait for my phone call/letter/email just so I can tell them to ram it. Once bitten twice shy and all that and as others have said, there is little they can offer to tempt me back in. The Air Force I joined in 1988 is long gone and the one I left in 2011 had little going for it when I departed and I seriously doubt it has improved in the last 4 to 5 years!

Still I can see why for some who didn't apply for or want redundancy, they may give it some serious thought if approached.

I PVR'd and left last year. I'm not holding my breath on that phone call!

Camelspyder,

What has he/she been drinking? :cool:

Val, IIRC, all I got was the higher annual holiday allowance and started a new pension . Roughly the CS pension, rank for rank, is about 15-20% less but then I was spec aircrew.

PP, some people may like it.

Me, I liked it,but I don't know how I found time to squeeze work in.

Just wondering what the ToS are? Do they have to pay back any redundancy money, what is the seniority, promotion prospects?

I am looking for a job. Left the RAF in 94 having served 24 years as an AEO/Op. Am only 62 so have I a chance:D. Oh I also live in New Zealand.;)

^^ You can **** off to the back of the queue pal. I'm 58 and already living in the people's republic of nicolastan. I scored 3 DCS in 2 minutes on my last beep test and the local garage reckon they can cut'n'shut two best blues into one tent-sized close fitting garment once they have steam cleaned the smell of p1ss out of them.

I'll work for keep, assuming full breakfast allowance, hire cars, single rooms and a lifetime pass to hooters.

I'm good to go as long as you don't want me to fly on weekends, bank holidays, or after 4pm on a Friday (I'm ex 42, so no change there then)