FOREWORD
FOREWORD BY Y
AIR MARSHAL PHIL OSBORN CBE RAF
ou know how you sometimes get an invitation out of the blue, perfectly polite but with slightly threatening undertones …
On a completely unrelated subject, it was a rare honour to be asked by the Acting Editor to write the Foreword for this edition of Envoy. Her pitch was compelling … that the RAF Families Federation is a vital independent link between the RAF Family and the wider Defence, Government and National communities … that Envoy is an essential part of how the Federation communicates with those of us who serve or who have served, and our long-suffering families … and, most importantly, if I didn’t write a few words, my god-daughter would disown me! So, here goes …
I initially pondered what I, an aging Tornado Navigator who has children who are no longer children, might be able to offer you as a useful thought or two before you look through this excellent edition of Envoy. Difficult … and then I realized that perhaps my role could be to underline why I, a RAF Serviceman with a family, think the RAF Families Federation is vitally important for us and how we can help the Federation to help us.
I remember a time, not so long ago, when our voice, the voice of the RAF Family, struggled to be heard ... and then, slowly but relentlessly, our views, voiced through the Federation and
other similar organisations, began to play a tangible and increasingly influential part in shaping our environment. And now, when the operational pressure in parts of the Service is as high as ever and our employment foundation is transforming, the need for an independent advocate such as the RAF Families Federation is as important as ever …
But so what? Well, the Federation obviously needs our help and support. However, the most important thing the Federation needs is to know what we think … what we think about life in the RAF Community … perhaps for example what we think about operational pressures, the New Employment Model and Pension changes. In sum, in order to help the Federation to help us, we need to maximize the opportunity to say what we think, completely confidentially, to this committed group of people, whose single purpose is to represent the concerns of RAF personnel and their families.
So, help the RAF Families Federation to help us – it is our Federation, after all …
Why Should YOU Contact the Federation? T
he RAF Families Federation represents the concerns of all RAF personnel – regulars and their families, reserve and single
personnel too.Your views and concerns are put in front of senior RAF and MoD staffs and direct to Ministers.
The Federation is also invited to sit on steering groups where the views of RAF
family members are sought. In these ways the Federation can influence change, where it is needed, for the better.
So whether you’re in uniform yourself or a spouse, a partner, a parent, a child or a sibling of a member of the RAF, the Federation is here to act on your behalf.
If you have something you wish to bring to
the Federation’s attention, please call and speak to one of the team on 01780 781650 or email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
We operate entirely outside the RAF chain of command, so we can always promise an independent and confidential service. Please remember it is your views that are asked for, not ours!
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Envoy Winter 2014
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