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Step 2: Is Leaving the Armed Forces the Best Option?
HMForces.co.uk
You’ve decided that it’s time to leave the military and start a new life. It takes 12 months to actually leave, you have to give 12 months prior notice to quit the UK Armed Forces (it more or less takes recruitment that long to replace you).
Unless you buy yourself out which depending on the service you must have served at least 3 years before you can do this then it’ll cost you at least 1 month’s pay.
Your leaving will be for a number of different reasons, but even if you’ve decided that you want to leave, you should take a step back and see what you could gain by staying in the Armed Forces for a bit longer.
That change in career…
There are plenty of jobs in civvy street but the number of applicants has gone up as a result of the recession. Many people have been made redundant and are continuing to be laid off, there are thousands of school and colleage leavers that did not get University places, and there are highly skilled people changing careers all the time. So yes, there are jobs, but the marketplace is has no problem finding candidates. The trick is finding the RIGHT candidate.
If you’re still resolved to quit, then you have to make yourself attractive, market yourself and your CV to be better than ever. After all, you’re competing with all those other candidated to win that job.
So before you finally decide have a look at your current position in the Armed Forces.
You may be close to earning extra training privileges or a bonus that could be put towards your new career. Would the situations behind your decision to leave be solved by a change of cap badge, or even a change in Service? Not that that is the answer for everyone. You might be leaving because you want your kids and family to have a better life. It’s horses for courses. No two people are the same.
The help you get while leaving the Armed Forces is part of the benefits of being in the military. It is also part of the MoD retention package as it gives them a chance to discuss ways that you might want to stay with them. They have spent time and money training you so you are in a strong position. Even if you are sure that you want to leave make sure you ask your Resettlement Officers what options they can offer you to stay. You may be surprised by what opportunities could be available to you.
Step 3: Know your Service Leaver Entitlements
Back to: Ten Steps to Leaving the Armed Forces
Account Removed
11 months ago
When i left i pined for the lifestyle The T A is ok but nothing like regs. if you are thinking of leaving think about it really seriously civvy st is not easy especially in this day and age.Talk to your CO or MO or any officer or your best mucker see if then can help they will, if you decide to leave best of luck to you
kosbie34
about 1 year ago
16 comments
Would the situations behind your decision to leave be solved by a change of cap badge, or even a change in Service?
hahhahahahahahahaha your having a laugh right. So many barriers get put up by your Unit you have no option but to just leave its a scandal. What the Forces need to mind is that they are an employer and dont not own you or your right to change your life.
ROBINSON258
over 2 years ago
2 comments
trying to obtain regular or part time employment.i have never had a a full time permanent job.this is may last chance to get employment.
tonydugard
over 3 years ago
2 comments
If ever I lived my life over again I would not of left the services, I started off in the RAF Regiment but due to an incident in N Ireland ended up being medically discharged and after a year of rehab and training got through a medical boared and was classed fit for the Army or Navy, but not fit enough to rejoin the RAF, and as I got sea sick I went into the army RCT for a further six years.
I found myself in a position where when at camp I wanted to be home, and when home I wanted to be at camp, any one who chooses to come out now is crazy, with the way the work is in civy street you are better off straying in, at least youll have money in youre pocket and the security of knowing you have a place to live in, I personally mis the life, the comrades, the travel and the security, what more could you want in life.
Filbert_Fox
over 3 years ago
18 comments
What are extra training privileges? Do we have them in the British Army?