Why is it now I’m about to leave the Army I’m expected to pay for the removals from my Service family accommodation to my new civilian home
What an absolute kick in the teeth it is, after giving my life and soul to this organisation for 31 years, to be told I have to pay for my final move and that I will not be given anything towards the cost, which will be around £2,000.
It makes me feel the Army doesn’t care or want to know me after all this time.
We’re told we’re one big family and the Service will always be there for us when needed, but there is no “thank you for your contribution” with any financial help.
If I was posted abroad they would fund moving my family and all my furniture, but that’s not the case if you’re in the UK, it’s all down to the soldier.
Some families are not able to afford this and we are not forewarned, so over those last few months some will need to borrow money, putting them nicely in debt as they start their new chapter in life. – Name and address supplied
Maj Michelle Hatton, Army RemPol Team, Army HQ, replies:
Funded moves are available when you leave if you’re serving on what is expected to be the final tour of duty of a commission or engagement which qualifies for an immediate pension or an early departure payment.
The method for funded moves is through the final tour of duty (FTOD) provision as detailed in JSP 752, chapter 12, section 5.
The aim of this is to assist eligible personnel who are about to leave and are not in the geographical area in which they have formally expressed a preference to serve, with meeting the costs of settling themselves and/or their immediate family at a selected place of residence in the UK.
Personnel who have formally expressed a preference for an FTOD location using JPA form F024, are eligible to claim disturbance expenses and movement of personal effects to a place of residence in the UK at any stage during their final tour of duty, up to and including their final day of service.
This is provided that the provisions of JSP 752’s para 12.0503 are extant. This specifies that “the preferred location must be within the UK, and must be a unit or establishment in which an assignment exists that the claimant could fill if it were vacant.”
In the March issue the then head of Army Reserve personnel stated “the schedule nine exemption for age takes precedence” for retirement policy.
However, the fact Reservist officers may serve to 60 before an over-age extension (OAE) is required, whereas for other ranks that age is 55, is still discriminatory.
Given there have been changes to the fitness policy to make it equal on the basis of gender, surely it’s time the OAE regulations were changed too.
If an individual is able to meet the fitness requirements, and by continuing to serve they are not preventing the career progression of another soldier, they should be able to serve to 60 regardless of rank. – Name and address supplied
