wife looking for advice on postings?? 26 April 2010 at 12:55PM in UK armed forces MoneySaving 26 replies 2.5K views

barbie22193

hi i am a mother of 2 young boys a 2 year old and a 5 month old. dh has been in the raf for 7 years and is currently an sac (hes not happy about not getting picked up yet) anywho, we have been talking about postings and have decided that its prob a good idea to go for cyprus while the boys are young. but im not sure which areas are the best for bringing up children. and the advantages of cyprus.
also what are the rules on bringing pets as we have 3 cats.
im just looking for any advice /info ect as this will be our 1st big move together. many thanx.

Alias_Omega

You dont say what trade, or job they are applying for so cant give you any info on that.

Cyprus is good, warm today. About 25 degrees.
Pets are allowed, a bit difficult bringing them back to the uk. They need a pet passport etc.

Unsure about promotion, alot of people are not leaving the RAF due to the recession, lack of high paid jobs outside.

If people dont leave at the top end of the RAF, people at the bottom end cannot move up one level.

It will all come good in the end, just need to wait.

Alias

barbie22193

thankyou for your reply, new to mse and am pleased to have people who know what im needing advice on.
he is a electronics tech, does comms ect, apparently has been lots of requests for his trade . well ive told him if it makes him happy to go for it so with today being his last day in work for 4.5 months (hes off to falklands) i guess we will have to wait and see if he gets it as he forwarded his request to his fl this am.
how soon after you apply do you hear? im really excited as i havent been abroad since 2001 when i left bruggen with my dad.

do you still get child tax credits ect? and are their nurserys for the children?ive been told that jobs for wives are hard to come by too.

thankyou so much for your reply

barbie22193

we have been short listed for a posting to cyprus, now obviously i know this doesnt mean we have it but i cant hep but get excited. the only thing is dh is away till sept and we would be looking at leaving end of oct beginning of nov. now id like to try and get almost everything sorted for when dh gets home but i dont know where to start.....
my pastport is still in my maiden name do i have to get this changed??
any advice would be appreciated

mum2one

You'd have to get you passport changes, with it being "summer season" more people apply for passports this time of the year, so there may be a longer delay, but in theory you should be able to get it quicker, but I would get it done now, even if cyprus doesn't come off, you may need it for a holiday or identification.

You reminded me of an ebay sale I did, the lady was in Cyprus, on one of the bases, and when her cheque came through in the post, it was an english stamp, completely irrelevant, but made me smile. The weather better as well, good luck, and hope hubby gets the posting. x

EmmEve

if you're posted the army should pay for your passport change

Alias_Omega

You dont need to get your passport changed, Mrs Alias has a passport in her maiden name, and travelled here.

If you find out your posted to cyprus, you shall require to complete alot of paperwork, undergo family medicals etc. You will need to get a visa's, which will be sorted out for you by DSCOM. Just make sure you explain that your passport is in your maiden name, they will ask for a marriage certificate.

When you arrive in Cyprus, you will get a pass with no issues in your married name.

Regards,

Alias

Alias_Omega

barbie22193 wrote: »

do you still get child tax credits ect? and are their nurserys for the children?ive been told that jobs for wives are hard to come by too.

thankyou so much for your reply

LOA for an married SAC with 2 kids is £32 a day, which equates to about an extra £900 ishy a month.

Child Benefit / Working Tax Credits / CSA Payments are all paid when in Cyprus through the military.

You really wont need to get a job when you get here.


You dont say what base your going too, so i cant advise about accomodation costs.

Alias

Cat695

Cyprus is an awesome posting

But I feel the need to warn you....dependants can find it VERY boring you will not believe the amount of marriage breakups that happen in Cyprus (and not just because of the boredom)

So don't think its all nice because its not....the sun can get boring (especially the heat) the houses don't have air con (many people buy their own) it takes ages to get anything done, and the dust will do your head in.

Akrotiri (which is where I'm guessing you would be posted) has some decent facilities(nothing special though), and there are many many beaches very close. Awesome for learning all sorts of sports etc.

I just want you to have both sides of the story about Cyprus (I loved it but then again I obviously had a job there).

Alias_Omega

Yes Cat695,

Very valid points there. Not really alot for wifes/husbands to do when the partner is at work, which can lead to the feeling of being trapped & isolated, especially if your new and dont know anyone on station.

I think we are lucky, we have an understanding boss, so Mrs Alias pops into work alot to stem the boredom.

Alias

barbie22193

im kind of used to being alone....before i had our youngest i worked nights so spent alot of the days sleeping....now im at home but alot of the wives here (scampton) work or have know each other for ages so i only really see our neighbour like 1 time a week as we dont have a coffee shop or anything so no where to ''bump'' into some1 and start a conversation...im relatively shy so i do find it hard to start conversations ect.