If limited SFA was available and therefore the opportunity to live on a military patch was reduced, how would you describe the impact on RAF life?


Dealing with frequent moves/postings


Coping when the serving person deploys on operations/exercises


Dealing with when serving person works long hours


Team and unit cohesion Operational effectiveness Feeling part of a community


Family finances (eg having to purchase a second car)


Family time


Security (no longer living on an military camp) Ability of your unit to provide welfare support


Significant positive impact


8% 7%


6%


5% 4% 5% 5%


7% 5% 5%


Some positive impact


4% 2%


2%


3% 4% 6% 3%


5% 4% 3%


No impact


14% 12%


19%


25% 31% 18% 16%


16% 27% 22%


Some


negative impact


29% 28%


36%


35% 33% 32% 31%


28% 30% 34%


Significant negative impact


45% 51%


37%


32% 28% 39% 45%


44% 34% 36%


If it amounted to me spending more, I would have to reconsider my options, as at the moment one of the reasons for me staying is the access to cheap housing.


It would negatively impact on quality family time, we would feel isolated and children would suffer not having others in the same boat so to speak. It would also negatively impact me financially as my own civilian job is also on station.


It would have a significant financial impact on us and we enjoy the service community It would make a difference of course but not enough to leave the RAF


Whilst I have not said that my spouse would definitely leave the RAF I do feel that it would be something that we would seriously consider. SFA, whilst not being particularly updated, still enables us to live and work in a similar location. We have chosen to live our RAF life like this; people have the option to remain in their own home, we should not be forced to live apart, or live in private rented accommodation with little security and no support. Service life is demanding enough without being forced into a situation that is not one we would choose. Living with a deployed spouse is hard and disruptive enough. Trying to sort out a move into new SFA whilst they are deployed is also stressful. The thoughts for trying to negotiate a move into private rental accommodation, and the time it takes to view houses, or find one that will accommodate pets etc would be horrendous and a level of stress that is, in my opinion a step too far and asking far too much of us.


We would rather not live on “the patch” as we prefer to keep ourselves to ourselves.


24


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