Forces

darrrren

Well I've been in the forces 12 years. I've got engineering qualifications and driving licences for hgvs etc. In that time the pension has been changed to peanuts, promotion seems more based on favouritism and if your face fits rather than what you actually bring to the table, so that's been slow too. Main one that gets to me is seeing all my mates leave and go on to carry on life get a job and I'm still stuck here.

I'm in my early 30s with a small mortgage but I'm from an area with low employment however travelling has never been a problem for me.
. I take home about 30k a year. Thing is I honestly feel trapped, I'm too scared to leave the military, whereas others seem to be able to just do it without a second thought. Applying for employment is hard because once you give your notice there is a year period to give before you can go.

I could do another 10 years and get the lump sum etc, but 10 years is 10 years. I just don't seem to enjoy it anymore. The lads are good, but theres less numbers and more work now after redundancies etc. So I'm just looking for advice and clarity. I joined at 18 I'm 30 now, so it's all I know really. But I do have qualifications, I'm just scared of making a mistake.

Undervalued

darrrren wrote: »

Well I've been in the forces 12 years. I've got engineering qualifications and driving licences for hgvs etc. In that time the pension has been changed to peanuts, promotion seems more based on favouritism and if your face fits rather than what you actually bring to the table, so that's been slow too. Main one that gets to me is seeing all my mates leave and go on to carry on life get a job and I'm still stuck here.

I'm in my early 30s with a small mortgage but I'm from an area with low employment however travelling has never been a problem for me.
. I take home about 30k a year. Thing is I honestly feel trapped, I'm too scared to leave the military, whereas others seem to be able to just do it without a second thought. Applying for employment is hard because once you give your notice there is a year period to give before you can go.

I could do another 10 years and get the lump sum etc, but 10 years is 10 years. I just don't seem to enjoy it anymore. The lads are good, but theres less numbers and more work now after redundancies etc. So I'm just looking for advice and clarity. I joined at 18 I'm 30 now, so it's all I know really. But I do have qualifications, I'm just scared of making a mistake.

Have you ever worked in a civilian job?

The reason I ask is because my experience of employing and / working with people who have been in the military for all of their working life has been mixed to say the least.

Obviously it varies hugely between different individuals and types of work. Military people can have great skills and qualities but they have worked in a unique and very structured environment. In some fields they can really struggle to adapt to a totally different culture.

darrrren

I did some of an apprenticeship before I joined at 18 but I jumped ship to the military then and carried on the trade with the forces. I have always been a hard worker I just don't like the way it's all changing. I know some idiots who have left and managed, and I do have a good work ethic.

It's more a gear thing, and is the grass really greener. I'll never go high up the ra ks because I always speak my mind, but it hurts peoples egos and when it comes to gradings you get marked down for it, as I say you can be a waster in the forces but kiss upto the right people and you'll climb the ladder no problems. I dont have much left on my mortgage, under 30 k, paying this has been my focus. But 10 years seems a long time just for a lump sum and a pension that's not the one on the contract I signed up.

eamon

You need to speak to a careers advisor that has good expertise in successfully placing ex service personnel. There must surely be some organisation that the Army use. These could be a useful starting point
https://www.army.mod.uk/personnel-and-welfare/service-leavers-veterans/transition-to-civilian-life/
https://www.armedforcescovenant.gov.uk/support-and-advice/service-leavers/
https://www.ctp.org.uk/

marlot

darrrren wrote: »

Well I've been in the forces 12 years. I've got engineering qualifications and driving licences for hgvs etc. In that time the pension has been changed to peanuts, ....

Before you jump ... the pension isn't as good as it used to be but it is still much better than most civilian schemes.

Is there any way you can move within the military, to something you'd prefer to do more?

The transition can be hard - you need to chat with a few people who have left.

theoretica

darrrren wrote: »

I'll never go high up the ra ks because I always speak my mind, but it hurts peoples egos and when it comes to gradings you get marked down for it, as I say you can be a waster in the forces but kiss upto the right people and you'll climb the ladder no problems.

Doesn't sound very different from many civilian jobs.

ableandy

darrrren, leaving the Army is never going to be easy because it is what you know and civvy street is a great unknown. I left after 23 years so know what you are going through.

The first thing to do would be put together some form of mind map, this will allow you to work out what you would do if you left. Then take a look on Indeed.com to see what jobs are available in your chosen field. This will give you an indication of how much you could earn, this might help focus your decision.

Remember in your last 12 months you will undertake resettlement, you could go down a different route completely. You will also have access to funds from SLC.

A lot of employers look to employ ex forces due to their management skills and also their ability to learn and then get things done.

Re the pension, you may not be on the wonderful scheme that used to exist but what you have is non contributory, people in civvy street have to pay into pensions out of their wages and you are unlikely to earn enough to be able to afford to put in the same levels as you have now.

If you are on the fence to stay or go, don't think of it as 10 years, but (assuming you are a Corps man), look at it as 3 more roles with your last 6 months based near to where you are looking to settle.

There are a lot of unemployed ex forces out there and it would be a shame to throw away a safety blanket.