THINKING OF LEAVING |
 |
GENERAL INFORMATION
The decision to leave the Services is often one of the most difficult that an individual has to make during his or her career. Quite often personnel leaving the Armed Forces are not aware that they may be able to transfer their skills to another trade internally or even transfer between the Services. Information on re-trading and transferring is available by clicking here for more info.
Service Leavers should be aware that the Armed Forces do offer conditions of service that are largely unavailable to their civilian counterparts. These include assisted home travel schemes, adventurous training, the chance to learn a trade, 30 days paid leave scheme, individual resettlement training costs and job security which enables long term financial planning.
Before reaching the final decision to leave there are several factors that need to be considered (and further advice sought if there are any doubts). These include:
Why are you applying for a discharge?
Are you sure you want to discharge?
Can re-trading or transferring satisfy your aims?
Housing?
Where will you live when you are discharged?
What are the employment opportunities like for you/your partner/your children in this area?
What are the demands of your family concerning schooling and other interests?
Do you need to buy a house?
Are you going to live with family?
Does your family know that you are thinking of living with them?
Are you in your discharge location?
Will you need to apply for your last 6 months service in the UK?
Financial considerations?
What is your present financial situation?
How much money will you need to earn once you leave?
Are you interested in full-time/part-time/volunteer work?
Will extra expenses (rent/council tax/rates) erode your pension/income?
If you have a partner, does he/she need to work?
Have you got your own home or will you purchase one?
Do you have, or do you know how to choose a financial adviser?
Employment?
What type of person are you?
Do you want a position of responsibility?
Are you ambitious?
How do you cope with competition?
What is your attitude to seniority?
Do you consider job satisfaction to be very important?
Do you intend to continue in the same type of employment?
Do you hope to change the nature of your employment?
What skills do you have?
Is there a market for your skills in the area in which you wish to live?
Can you enhance your skills and subsequent employability through resettlement courses?
Other factors?
Are there any external factors forcing you to leave?
Is your partner unable to gain employment in your current location?
Do you have financial problems?
Are you suffering from homesickness?
Do you feel that you are on operational tour/exercise/duty too often?
Do you feel guilty about leaving?
you worried that you will be letting the side down?
It is very important that any Service Leaver seeks advice at an early stage from their Unit Resettlement Officer (URO) or Resettlement and Education Co-ordinators (RECs), on what options are open to them before finally deciding to leave.
Service Leavers should also be aware that they might change their mind about leaving the Services. This is possible even if they have already started their resettlement phase. Speak to your URO or REC for further advice on the benefits of remaining in the Services.
Advice about all of the resettlement services available to you are obtainable from the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). Click here for more information.
| 
