If we were to summarise in a couple of words the evidence presented to us to describe how our people feel at present, it would be “uncertain” and a little “raw”. With so many initiatives underway bringing substantial change to the military offer, together with the many fast-paced developments across an increasingly unpredictable world order, maintaining morale, providing effective support to families and removing disadvantage caused by Service life has never been more important. We think that the levels of uncertainty currently being experienced mean that more people are thinking about their long term commitment to the Service. That said, it is also clear that a majority remains resilient, pragmatic and dedicated.


We hope that this report is of use, either directly or as background information, and we hope that it is read by RAF personnel and their families as well. To them, we say a big “thank you” for their contribution.


How We Did It


The RAF Families Federation (RAF FF) provides independent, evidence-based reports on topics relevant to all serving RAF personnel and their families. We engage through unit visits, via the RAF FF website, the Federation’s magazine ‘Envoy’ and through social media. We continue to use “Quick 6” online surveys, focussing on specific issues and comprising a few short, sharp questions in order to overcome a degree of “survey fatigue” amongst people.


This report summarises the evidence


gathered by all of these means on issues related to: •


Pay


• • • •


Quality of Life


Accommodation Childcare


And the role of the AFPRB.


We gathered evidence from over 800 participants, who provided in excess of 28 pages of comments. As with previous reports, we have included a representative cross section of the comments received as part of the survey responses, to add colour and emphasis to the raw data.


Over the past year, the RAF Families Federation team has carried out visits to the following units: Brize Norton


Henlow Marham


Coningsby Honington Odiham


Cranwell


Boulmer Cosford


Cranwell


High Wycombe Shawbury


Brize Norton Halton


Halton


Leeming Wittering


We also gathered evidence from our on line surveys from the following units: Abbey Wood High Wycombe


Lossiemouth Shawbury Wittering


4


Honington Marham


Spadeadam Wyton


Leeming Odiham Valley


Coningsby Henlow


Linton-on-Ouse Scampton


Waddington


www.raf-ff.org.uk


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