Leaving the army questions 4 February 2009 at 7:09PM in UK armed forces MoneySaving 30 replies 14.3K views

gibboelli

My fiancee is trying to leave the army at the moment and is very vague about the way resettlement works, and I'm the type that needs to know every little details. Can anyone help me out? I would like to know how the army helps you find a new job or if they do atall, any bonus' they give you for leaving, what happens with the army pension, what happenes if the army cant find you a new job before you're out, will the army even help you if it means a job overseas (He's moving here to me in England from Northern Ireland) and any other helpful information!
I know thats rather alot but I'd be so grateful for any answers or any other random bits of info that would make me feel better!

Trying_to_be_good

How long's he been in, in what rank? It's different resettlement rules for 6 years or more service. They won't find you a new job, but will help you with re-training etc.

To qualify for any pension he needs to have served more than two years, probably then preserved until age 60 (I think, used to be 55, someone else will know much better) unless he's completed 22 years (other ranks) or 18 years (officer).

gibboelli

He's served 4 years in the Irish Guards and is now a Lance Corporal

bumblebeebaby

sorry but he isnt entitled to anything apart from Career transition worshops held at various locations like aldershot, through the education centres. He hasnt done enough time to get any resettlement grant money towards courses, travel etc.

CINDNSTEVE

the last post is correct about what your fella will (or will not) get regarding resettlement. He should also talk with his RCMO who can advise as can the education centre. Both shoudl be able to advise him of the many companies out there that speciaifcally want to employ ex-service personnel. He could also do a Google search. Regarding CV's - tell him to ask his/your civvie mates for copies of their CV's to get an idea of how to write one. DO NOT pay someone to do a CV, there are plenty of web sites that offer the service for free. Some only do the 1st one free but then you send that ammended one off to the next free service and so on. Tell him to remember to adjust each one to each job that he was applying for. He has to really think about what he is good and and sell himself - not something that squaddies are good at and put his military jargon into civvie speak. So a LCPL will become a junior manager with supervisory skills who can motivate his workforce using xxx skills to achieve the desired outcome. Get him to research SMART objectives and apply them to his skill base in regards to each job application.
Good luck to you both

Cat695

pension lump sum at 65! at around 4k

yearly pension of around 1400 quid (1400 not 14000) again at 65

they don't have to find you a new job they just help pay for you to retrain for a job of your choice

Dues to his short service he will get very little....but its better than nothing

And Northern Ireland is the UK so its not classed as overseas

When he signs off (as we call it) he will be given all the info he needs to answer your questions (though he may have to seek help as not all units are helpful)

He needs to be aware things won't be done for him he will have to seek help and advice otherwise he will just lose out on what he can claim....he really needs to be proactive in helping himself...especially if his unit is busy with exercises and operational tours...

gibboelli

Thank you all ever so much for all of that, I did suspect he wouldnt be entitled to much since he hasnt been in alll that long compared to some people.
I have explained SEVERAL times that he needs to be a bit more proactive in getting things out of the army, his CO is a tad useless and doesnt like to put his nose out if he can help it.
I'm glad the pension will be preserved, didnt fancy trying to sort that out in any way! :P
I think anything is better than nothing to be honest! Any help is good, even if it's a £1 it's a £1 he didnt have. He's desperate to get out of the army (I wont pretend I'm not either!) so I figure even the tiniest help is a bonus! Any other information anyone can give me?

Cat695

gibboelli wrote: »

Thank you all ever so much for all of that, I did suspect he wouldnt be entitled to much since he hasnt been in alll that long compared to some people.
I have explained SEVERAL times that he needs to be a bit more proactive in getting things out of the army, his CO is a tad useless and doesnt like to put his nose out if he can help it.
I'm glad the pension will be preserved, didnt fancy trying to sort that out in any way! :P
I think anything is better than nothing to be honest! Any help is good, even if it's a £1 it's a £1 he didnt have. He's desperate to get out of the army (I wont pretend I'm not either!) so I figure even the tiniest help is a bonus! Any other information anyone can give me?

His CV will be very important....getting all his quals put into civi speak (soldiers always under sell themselves IMHO)

has he signed off yet??

gibboelli

He's put in for early termination as his leave date is June 2010 but he's desperate to get out so just waiting to see what happens.
Luckily I'm an the local expert in the CV department so he wont have to worry about that

bumblebeebaby

much as i know the army isnt for everyone i do find it strange that people still sign off in the current economic state. The army does offer job security that doesnt seem to be currently available in civvi street. Then again there is no where i could find a job that would pay me 30k a year for the clerical quals the army has given me, a pay cut of more than half my income would kill me.

gibboelli

bumblebeebaby wrote: »

much as i know the army isnt for everyone i do find it strange that people still sign off in the current economic state. The army does offer job security that doesnt seem to be currently available in civvi street. Then again there is no where i could find a job that would pay me 30k a year for the clerical quals the army has given me, a pay cut of more than half my income would kill me.

Yeah, real job stabilty getting shot in a war zone...
Being in the army isnt much fun in Northern Ireland, lots of places my fiancee cant go on the off chance someone finds out hes in the army. He doesnt lfe being defined by his job any more. He's done his time, he's sick of it and wants his own life back, and start one with me. Cant blame him for that, I'd rather risk him being made redundant somewhere then being a widow at 21.