**British Armed Forces Discussion Thread**

DJMK4 said:
Why the 375ft altitude though what training would they have been doing there to warrant that low altitude?


Like you say, i could understand low level flying through the mac loop. between the valleys, but circular circuits over flat water? i guess they were just testing flying low ? with nothing around? maybe now they have done these who ever is flying will now head to somewhere in land to practise low level ?
Click to expand...

Maritime stuff - they can drop life rafts out the back, do observations of ships, search and rescue etc.
 
I had a Service related injury several years ago and the RBL were fantastic with their advice and their representation. However, seeing other colleagues recently going through similar, all the support agencies seem to crap.

Overstretched and weeks/months to respond to correspondence; so i feel your pain.
 
The RBL provided a solicitor for the tribunal, she was good but I can see how you mean they are stretched with resources. Perhaps she assessed it and thought I needed less help with mine, I'm not sure.
Either way I'm glad I had that support as I was close to loosing it at one point when the medical advisor was asking me a question.

Now I've had an email to say that veterans UK want the full reasons rather than the summary as they may be appealing the decision! I don't believe they have grounds to (they can only do so if the legislation has not been followed) so perhaps they're seeing if they can win a technicality.

I'm quite glad that part is over, I think I posted on here when I originally got a diagnosis of asthma (which was incorrect as three consultants have supported). The last few years have partly been arguing against Veterans UK that the diagnosis was incorrect, so to have a tribunal agree with me is huge relief.
I had at several points wondered if I was crazy so it's nice to know I'm not.
 
Personal preference really, there's a lot of Military Charities out there. Thank you for your support :)

I donate to the RBL, Help For Heroes, RAFA.

The Royal British Legion​

Founded in 1921, the Royal British Legion is one of the UK’s most iconic veterans charities and is probably best known for the annual Poppy Appeal. It offers a wide range of services including financial assistance, housing support, care homes, bereavement services and mental health support. It is also a leading voice in veterans’ advocacy, working closely with government and communities across the UK to ensure veterans’ needs are met year-round.

Help for Heroes​

Help for Heroes began in 2007 with a mission to support wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and has rapidly grown to become one of the UK’s most recognised military veteran charities, thanks to high-profile patrons such as Gareth Southgate, Lorraine Kelly, Ross Kemp and Andy McNab. It offers physical rehabilitation, mental health services, employment support and wellbeing programmes for veterans and their families. The charity operates a network of recovery centres and is known for its strong public engagement, including sports-based recovery programmes and community events that promote resilience and inclusion.

SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity​

SSAFA is the UK’s oldest tri-service military charity, having been in operation since 1885. It provides support to service personnel, veterans and their families in areas such as housing advice, financial aid, social work services, adoption support and mentoring programmes. With a vast network of branches and volunteers across the country, SSAFA is known for delivering highly localised, face-to-face help wherever it’s needed.

Combat Stress​

Combat Stress places its main focus on supporting the mental health of veterans – and has been doing so since 1919. This makes it the UK’s leading charity for service-related psychological trauma, with the organisation offering specialist treatment for PTSD, anxiety and depression, both through residential care and outpatient support. It maintains close partnerships with the NHS and Ministry of Defence to play a critical national role in providing trauma-informed care for ex-forces personnel facing complex mental health issues.

Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA)​

RAFA is dedicated to supporting the RAF community, including veterans and their families. It provides a wide range of welfare services including befriending, housing advice, respite care and wellbeing breaks. With a network of branches across the UK, RAFA offers a strong sense of camaraderie as well as practical support, ensuring that no member of the RAF, past or present, is left feeling isolated or forgotten.

Walking With The Wounded​

Founded in 2010, Walking With The Wounded supports veterans who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, particularly those at risk of homelessness or involved with the criminal justice system. Its services include employment support, mental health care and care coordination. The charity is known for its frontline outreach work and high-profile fundraising events, such as expeditions and endurance challenges that engage public attention.

Veterans Aid​

Veterans Aid focuses on crisis intervention for veterans in immediate need and is especially dedicated to helping those at risk of homelessness. Established in 1932, it offers emergency accommodation, addiction recovery support, food, clothing and long-term rehabilitation services. Although based in London, it has provided support to UK veterans across 70 countries. With a rapid-response model and a ‘no wrong door’ approach, Veterans Aid is a key safety net for those at risk.
 
ivrytwr3 said:
ET'd yesterday :eek: 32 years military done - all a bit surreal atm.

Off now until new job starts in Mar 26!

Would do it all again in a heartbeart :)
Click to expand...

In my terminal leave now - start new job in the 7th January.

Picked up the bar to my LSGC the day I walked out of the office - the last 2 months have felt very strange being paid fully but not doing any work! :cry:

https://flic.kr/p/2rMmUf9
 
Nice rack! I'll post mine shortly. I'm just glad MOD pays for mounting now!

Yeah, that's where I am now, very strange feeling. I'm still logging on, mainly to check there isn't stuff I need to be doing wrt exit, but have found myself getting dragged into work business, "it3, can you have a look at x, y, z"!

I'm logging off shortly and going to enjoy Xmas!
 
ivrytwr3 said:
Nice rack! I'll post mine shortly. I'm just glad MOD pays for mounting now!

Yeah, that's where I am now, very strange feeling. I'm still logging on, mainly to check there isn't stuff I need to be doing wrt exit, but have found myself getting dragged into work business, "it3, can you have a look at x, y, z"!

I'm logging off shortly and going to enjoy Xmas!
Click to expand...

I’ve had a few phone calls since I finished, mostly to do with the spreadsheets I made to do my job :cry:

I’m only going to the other side of the airfield anyway - not even changing my car pass…

ivrytwr3 said:
Click to expand...

Very nice - especially the far left. Did you do time in the army/navy before the RAF then? As the Granby medal with the clasp is a very specific two weeks in 1991!
 
Nice spot!

Prior (B)Army service and then i saw the light :D. They sent me to Gulf War Round 1 at 17yrs old - had my 18th out there. Wouldn't get away with that now.
 
Some careers in those pictures !

Hope all the transition goes well, nice to see members that have put a proper shift in ha

I’m only in my 15th year… so plenty more for me to catch up on.

And medal wise I have some catching up… although this WSM thing would be my 6th… if I ever get it lol.
 
ivrytwr3 said:
Nice spot!

Prior (B)Army service and then i saw the light :D. They sent me to Gulf War Round 1 at 17yrs old - had my 18th out there. Wouldn't get away with that now.
Click to expand...

I’m a bit of a medal nerd - love inspecting racks around remembrance each year to see what everyone has gotten up to in their careers. Some fascinating ones appear on a few Facebook groups I follow, and that bloke who impersonated a RN Admiral this year whilst wearing a group so distinctive and unique that you could have identified the person was just hilarious.

Minimum age of 18 to deploy these days I believe - that’s insane that you were out there in the first two weeks at that age!

lemonkettaz said:
Some careers in those pictures !

Hope all the transition goes well, nice to see members that have put a proper shift in ha

I’m only in my 15th year… so plenty more for me to catch up on.

And medal wise I have some catching up… although this WSM thing would be my 6th… if I ever get it lol.
Click to expand...

A lot of it is right place at the right time - looking back now I could’ve gotten a lot more with the right postings etc, and there are some huge groups out there. 15 years is not to be sniffed at either - no idea where the last ten years of my life has gone actually! :cry:
 
I should have been awarded a medal for spending a week in the officers mess at Episkopi with a bunch of crabs who were there on their first proper posting :-D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom