Why should YOU contact the Federation?
The RAF Families Federation is funded by the RAF but sits outside the Chain of Command as an independent organisation. We represent all RAF personnel – be they Regular, Reserve, single, married or in a partnership, together with their families.
We provide a voice for the issues and concerns you have about life in the RAF, and we have direct access to senior RAF and MOD staffs as well as Government Ministers.
To do all this, we need to hear from you on issues such as quality of life, accommodation, health, education, pay and allowances Everyone’s views and concerns are important to us.
Key things to remember: • We work with the RAF/MOD and not against them
• We don’t undermine the chain of command; we work with them but will dig them in the ribs on your behalf when necessary
• We will signpost you to the ‘best’ experts to help you if required
• We always maintain your anonymity and respect your privacy
• We always maintain a fair and balanced approach
Help us to continue to share the message Contact us:
raf-ff.org.uk Telephone 01780 781650 or email
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk
Front Caption: Family image provided by the RAF Benevolent Fund.
Welcome
We’ve had an amazing influx of potential articles, including those from our stations and I’ve found it really hard to include everyone this time round. My favourite piece however, has to be the Mission Systems Operator (MSO) and Sgt Pringle’s take on what happens in ‘A day in the life of an MSO’. I would hate to have his bar bill now though!
The AF Service Complaints Commissioner visited the Families Federation recently and it was good to hear how things have progressed since my interview with her earlier in the year. The article in this issue shares all the changes afoot as the role transitions to that of Ombudsman.
There’s sporting news too, for celebration, but also to inspire and encourage more of you to join different sports.
Our usual suspects - Stan and Todd - talk to you about housing (still over 50% of our workload) and the FF’s work with Reservists.
Please keep talking to us – we love to hear from you.
from the editor
CONTACT Telephone: 01780 781650, email:
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via the website
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Envoy – The magazine of the RAF Families Federation, published 4 times a year. To have your FREE copy delivered quarterly to your home, email
enquiries@raf-ff.org.uk or via our website
www.raf-ff.org.uk
Editor: Caroline Woodward
RAF Families Federation, 13-15 St Georges Road, Wittering, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE8 6DL 01780 781650 Director: Bill Mahon Communications Manager: Caroline Woodward
Communications Assistant: Nick Crouch Assistant Volunteer Editor: Kate Graham Evidence Manager: Colin Jones Evidence Assistant: Todd Fellows Evidence Assistant (Housing): Stan Brathwaite Office Manager: Ruth McClelland
Published quarterly by Method Publishing, a division of Scottish Provincial Press Limited, on behalf of Envoy
Design and Typography: © Method Publishing 2015 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 Email:
k.tainsh@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.
www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Winter 2015 3
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