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Some of the comments received regarding mobilisation were:


No employer, particularly those running small businesses, is going to be happy about losing a member of their workforce unless you can replace them like for like with no administrative or financial burden.


I was made redundant and my employer explained that my time off being mobilised was a factor in my redundancy.


I work for the MOD Civil Service, so as an organisation I get an excellent level of support. When you focus in down to desk-level, however, I find that my immediate line management are torn between having to “toe the line” in being supportive towards Reservists because that is the MOD policy, and their own personal perspective that my being absent for prolonged periods on mobilised service or 2 weeks special paid leave for ACT is a great inconvenience to the wider team and causes them staff shortage problems in the short term.


Mobilisation has in general been the biggest retention tool we had. Lads who had had good tours passed their views on and enthused the ones who were waiting. Once again, PDT experiences vary; an RAF serviceman deploying to Minhad would require 2 days training at an FP Flt...Our training infantry troops were subjected to an expensive four-month selection regime in order to carry out an unarmed security job in Minhad, completely overtraining and underutilising their skills. Believe me, their experiences do not need passing on to those waiting - I would have no Sqn left!! Cost-wise and morale-wise, this has been the greatest blow to retention we have ever experienced.


Mobilisation, though very challenging for the reasons expressed elsewhere in this survey, was overall a positive experience for me. Despite the lack of ownership, despite the low expectation and attitude from some regular training staff, despite the lack of communication. I made some very good friends, explored a role for which I had not really been trained and did so well, learnt many new skills and my personal confidence has risen. Most of all my time in the reserves seems worthwhile. The opportunity to contribute has been afforded me and I am grateful for that.


I lost my job after my last deployment.


More thought needs to go into mobilisation and demobilisation of reservists, particularly individuals rather than formed units. Specifically there needs to be sufficient face time prior to deployment with the unit or similar units.


I found my mobilisation a very positive experience. I was well prepared and I was given probably above and beyond the training that I required…. I couldn’t fault anything about the deployment process and I received good support on my return too.


46


www.raf-ff.org.uk


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