Contact
Telephone: 01780 781650, email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk
A U T U M N 2 0 0 8 A Qu a r t e r l y Ma g a z i n e f o r R A F P e r s o n n e l a n d t h e i r F ami l i e s A Q u a r t e r l y Ma g a z i n e f o r R A F P e r s o n n e l a n d t h e i r F ami l i e s MEN AND WOMEN –
Will we ever understand each other?
The Nation’s Commitment to its Armed Forces
MORTGAGE TROUBLE
Contents
Cover Photograph – Warrant Officer, now Flight Lieutentant 'Merv' Ash with his daughter Daisy. Photo: Corporal Rachel Eastley.
Envoy – The magazine of the RAF Families Federation, published 4 times a year.
Editor: Ann Dewar RAF Families Federation, 13-15 St Georges Road, Wittering, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6DL 01780 781650
Chairman: Dawn McCafferty Deputy/Office Manager: Chris Taylor Publicity Manager: Ann Dewar Issues/Liaison Team Manager: Jenny Ward Liaison Team Member: Colin Jones Admin Co-ordinator: Julie Goodson
Features
Mummy is a ‘Soldier’ .............................................................................................................................. 6 Diary of A Dependant ............................................................................................................................. 8 Decompression – Just How Important Is It? ............................................................................................ 10 Men and Women – Will We Ever Understand Each Other? ..................................................................... 12 The Experience that is Married Life ......................................................................................................... 13 The Service Command Paper ................................................................................................................. 14
Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy
Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2008 Editorial Matter and Illustrations: © Envoy Printed in Great Britain by: Warners Midlands plc
Advertisement Office (UK): Method Publishing, Sutherland Press House, Main Street, Golspie, Sutherland, KW10 6RA Tel: 01408 633871 Fax: 01408 633876
Advertisement Manager: Jeanne Alker:
j.alker@
methodpublishing.co.uk
Views expressed in Envoy, unless stated otherwise, are those of the author alone and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of Envoy, the RAF or the Ministry of Defence.
No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in Envoy can be accepted by the Publishers or Printers and advertisements are accepted on the express condition that the advertiser warrants that they in no way contravene the provisions of The Trades Descriptions Act 1968 nor any other prevailing legislation in the United Kingdom.
The Publishers reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any advertisement without stating a reason.
REGULARS Federation News
Your Say on Pay .................................................................................................................................... 16 The Federation’s Work with Defence Estates........................................................................................... 16 “Only as Good as Your Last Spectacular Disaster” ................................................................................... 16 Lone Parents and Unentitled Partners HAVE YOUR SAY!! ......................................................................... 17
Reader Offers
Britain’s Aviation History – Celebrating 90 years of the Royal Air Force .................................................... 18 yournutshell ......................................................................................................................................... 18 Nursery Fresh Flowers ........................................................................................................................... 18 Winners of Summer Offers ..................................................................................................................... 18
Your Health Small Change, Big Difference ................................................................................................................. 20 Your Money
A New Baby on the Way ....................................................................................................................... 22 Household Budgeting is Boring… or Could it Just Save Your Bacon? ....................................................... 22 Mortgage Trouble ................................................................................................................................. 23
In the Workplace
A Good Round for the RAF .................................................................................................................... 24 Huge Challenge for the Recruiters .......................................................................................................... 25
You and the RAF
The RAF Families Federation is an independent organisation managed by The RAF Association (RAFA). Patron: Her Majesty the Queen Registered Charity Number 226686 Scottish Charity Number SCO37673
Dr Susan Atkins – Service Complaints Commissioner .............................................................................. 28 Community
Repatriation Ceremonies ....................................................................................................................... 30 Service Families Task Force .................................................................................................................... 31 Childcare was an Issue .......................................................................................................................... 33 Postbag .............................................................................................................................................................35 36
www.raf-families-federation.org.uk Autumn 2008 1
From the Editor/From the Deputy Chairman Foreword by AIR VICE MARSHAL SIMON BRYANT Emerging Issues
Increased Relocation Leave...................................................................................................................... 4 RAF Bulletin ............................................................................................................................................ 4 School Admissions Consultation 2008 ..................................................................................................... 4 Cost of Phone Calls Reduced ................................................................................................................... 4 Military Social Work Services Wins Quality Award .................................................................................... 4 Message from MHS – Gaining Access to Properties .................................................................................. 4 SSAFA Co-Ordinates Self-Help Groups for Families .................................................................................... 4 The RAFA Grand Draw 2008 ................................................................................................................... 4 DE Plans for Digital Switchover ................................................................................................................ 5 Hyde Park Charity Jump ........................................................................................................................... 5 Don’t Lose Your Voice.............................................................................................................................. 5
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