Contact


Telephone: 01780 781650, email: enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website www.raf-ff.org.uk


A Quarterly Magazine for RAF Personnel and their Families Contents


Editor’s Words Why Should YOU Contact the Federation? 5 easy ways to get the latest news from your Federation From the Director Foreword by Air Cdre Alan Opie


Cover Photograph – A RAF pilot wearing night vision goggles. A large proportion of the flying in operational theatres is conducted at night using night vision goggles.


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


Director: Bill Mahon


Communications Manager: Ann Dewar Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Evidence Manager: Colin Jones Evidence Assistant: Ruth McClelland Evidence Assistant (Housing): Stan Brathwaite Office Manager: Julie Goodson


Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy


Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2013 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.


The RAF Families Federation is an independent organisation parented by The RAF Association.


Patron: Her Majesty the Queen


Registered Charity Number 226686


Scottish Charity Number SCO37673


16 Photographs courtesy of the MoD (unless otherwise stated). www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Autumn 2013 3 39


Emerging Issues ...........................................................................................................8 Features


The Strength needed to be a Fighter Pilot ....................................................................12 How to nail the perfect Interview ................................................................................14 Bears on Tour ............................................................................................................16 To be Foreign .............................................................................................................18


REGULARS You and the RAF


NEM, A Brief for RAF Families .....................................................................................20 The RAF Supporting the Families of those Deployed .....................................................23


Education


CEA Regulations. Are you aware of the Changes?........................................................26 Housing


Preparing for the next Generation of Contracts ............................................................29 Lifestyle


Decisions, Decisions ...................................................................................................30


Federation News YOUR conclusions on Pay and Work/Life Balance 2013 ................................................31


Money It pays to Calculate the value of your Pension ..............................................................32


Community A Way Back – Phoenix House Recovery Centre ............................................................34 Finding the Right Words .............................................................................................36 HIVE in Action – Helping you to Relocate ...................................................................38 RAFA Youth ................................................................................................................39 Meet Dabby and Wills – over from the States ..............................................................40


PLUS Your 8-page pull-out – Three Covenants in support of the Armed Forces


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