Resettlement
Resettlement from the RAF is a process which you will probably experience only once and that is usually during your last two years of service - which is one of the reasons why awareness of the process is limited. Yet leaving the Air Force brings about a major change in your life which is as fundamental as joining up. This outlines the current structure of resettlement, which has seen some significant changes over the last year and it may also give you a gentle nudge.
First Line. Typically, your first point of contact will be at unit level with the Resettlement and Education Co-ordinators (RECs), who act as focal points for all resettlement information and administration. Don't believe anything you are told elsewhere around the bazaars by well meaning colleagues until you have checked it out with the RECs and the Second Line.
Second Line. The RECs will put your in touch with the visiting Regional Resettlement Adviser (RRA). There are 11 RRAs, either RO2s or C2s, who cover the whole of the UK and visit RAF units overseas, including North West Europe, Cyprus and Naples. Each RRA looks after 3 or 4 stations and their parented units. The RRAs provide information and advice by way of regular briefings and individual interviews; they also refer those who wish (the vast majority) to the 'third line', which operates from Regional Resettlement Centres (RRCs) - 10 in number, including one each in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Germany.
Third Line. In Oct 98, the MOD contracted Coutts Consultancy (not to be confused with the bankers) to provide tri-Service resettlement preparation, training and job finding assistance (Coutts Consultancy is now called Right Management). Access to the Career Transition Partnership (CTP), as it is known, is free to all personnel eligible for resettlement. The Officers' Association and Regular Forces Employment Association (RFEA) are now also part of the CTP. Both these organisations, which have charitable arms as well, continue to provide significant assistance with job finding through a UK-wide network of local offices.
Eligibility. Whilst both the First and Second Line are tasked to give you information and advice at any time during your service, eligibility for Third Line, plus duty time and financial assistance, does not start until you are within 2 years of a confirmed exit date. (If you are waiting to hear the outcome of an application for an extension of Service or assimilation you should assume you are leaving on your current discharge date). If you joined the RAF prior to 1 Sep 02 you qualify for the CTP's job finding service if you have been in the RAF for at least 3 years. If you have completed more than 5 years' service you qualify for the full transition programme (the time limits are waived for those who are made redundant or medically discharged). For personnel who join the RAF after 1 Sep 02 you will have to serve for 4 years in order to qualify for the job finding service and for 6 years to qualify for full service. The CTP's job finding service is available for up to 2 years after discharge.
Personal Consultant. In the past, resettlement was very much 'menu' driven, offering extensive lists of briefings and training courses. Unfortunately, some leavers then felt they were home and dry once they had been to a few briefings and chosen a course. There were also long lists of jobs, but the majority had already been filled by the time they had been distributed. The CTP's approach is to assign each individual to a civilian consultant. The consultants will not get you a job, but they will advise you on the type of work which may suit your personality, skills and circumstances and on your training needs.
Graduated Resettlement Time (GRT). allows you to take a quantity of resettlement time which is commensurate with your length of service. For example, 35 days are available for those who have served for 16 years. Full details of GRT may be found in JSP 534.
Financial Assistance. Resettlement travel warrants are available in a quantity proportionate to the number of weeks GRT, along with a resettlement training costs grant (currently £534) and subsistence allowances where appropriate.
Financial Advice. Although some resettlement activities are best left until your last 24 months in the Service, it is never too early to sort out your financial affairs. One simple way to do this is to take advantage of the free and impartial advice that is offered by Services Liaison, Cox's and King's and others, who provide briefings with follow-up personal counselling for all Servicemen and their spouses at any time during their career. The scope of the briefings is an analysis of one's present and future financial position, insurance, house purchase, taxation, commutation options, savings and capital investment, pension planning and writing wills. If you do nothing else after reading this article, ring: 0800 317053 - even the phone call is free.
Housing Advice. As with finance, housing is far too important to be left until the last minute. The Joint Service Housing Advice Office (Tel 01722 436 575 or Mil 94331 2575) is a source of excellent advice through regular news letters and briefings, which cover a variety of housing alternatives. Although the latter are designed for Service leavers, you do not have to be within your last 2 years to attend and you may be accompanied by your spouse on a fill-up basis. (Further details are available from your local REC.)
Specific Services associated with Resettlement
Pathfinder - Information available for Ex-military and resettlement magazine available to Service Leavers
USEFUL LINKS:
Civvy Street - for Service leavers or anyone who has served and their dependants
Civvy Street Magazine - Published bi-monthly
MOD Training Scheme - Project Management Courses for Service leavers
Pathfinder - Resettlement and ex military jobs available
Quest Magazine - Offers Armed Forces training and jobs for ex military personnel
Question on line - Job opportunities for anyone in the Armed Forces
RAF News - RAF bi-weekly published magazine
Ready for a Career Change - Article from The Times - 20090516