Awkward (and other) questions about MNers jobs-following on from *Pinocchio's 1st thread.

This is a really interesting thread. I'm a private tutor if anyone wants to ask anything!

boffinmum was that a teacher question?

As for which type of parent I like best, I would say those who show they care but are laid back. I know I'm not going to please everyone all the time- especially wrt things like homework. I try not to nag when it isn't done (it's the govt that says I have to set it, I don't set it because I think it has any educational impact) and I'd appreciate the same if I forget to set it one week.

As for the trip paying thing, that's something I never really get to find out about as that would go straight through the office and never get as far as me.

Mignonette, I hated being on when I was on exercise or deployed out in the middle of nowhere, because generally it was a 'dig a hole' job and washing facilities were few and far between. I used to take my pill without a break, then later got an implant which stopped my periods completely. Most of my female friends did the same. There was an unwritten rule about females being able to go back to camp once every 3 days for showers - but most of us didn't want to do that. It set us further apart from the guys, when we wanted to be treated the same.

It's different on major deployments, like Afghan for eg, because there are proper washing and toiletting facilities, so no need to do anything diffferent than at home. I still chose to use the Implant at those time though - simply because I found it easier (and less 'stuff' needed to pack!). I used to get it removed as soon as I came home though as it did weird things to me. A few girls actually use a 6 month deployment as a time to come off all contraception, because they don't intend to be shagging so give theior bodies a break. Saying that though I know at least 2 children who were conceived when their parents were deployed (one in Iraq, one in Afghanistan) and have my suspicions about a couple of others!

Thankfully mignonette that Doc didn't deploy with us. I have a feeling he would have just taken a shed load of Brufen and fucked everyone else off. In fact he was the doc that refused to prescribe anything other than the Mirena coil to the female soldiers - no Pill, no Implant, no injections etc with no recourse, we all ended up signing up with the local Family Planning clinic. I understand that he won an award for saving money - but was quickly sacked by the CO.

The most amazing medical team I have ever been around was in Bosnia. They broke the rules big time to help someone, without a thought about themselves. I have so much respect for them - they were like 'House' without the bad hygiene and drug problems!

Thanks mignonette I guess because I'm used to being not in the system and refer to psychosis as 'that day I went mental' then laugh it off, it all seems quite excessive at times. Can't be having episodes with a baby tho

midwives do you often proceed with a situation you know not to be working as funding/lack of staff/equipment mean you can't do what's best?

Boffin, I don't have to speak to parents that often but I have to say the vast majority of them terribly nice and very grateful to have a response to their query or problem. As for those asking for financial help, well, I think as a school we are up on those children who fit into an 'official category' and who might reasonably be expected to seek help. But everyone else; well, we have good pastoral systems and good home school comms so you would hope we stand a reasonable chance, but it would be silly to think that there aren't people sitting at home who don't want to/don't feel able to/feel it is wrong to ask for help.

Dallas, I am aware I'm really lucky! I had previously worked in University admin so that was obviously a big help. There is a certain amount of routine stuff; processing detentions, ordering stationery, supplying forgotten pens and paper to pupils.... And then a lot of trip admin; from booking places, working out all costs, crowbarring info out of parents, obtaining collective passports etc.

Ooh Wando, that is what I am hoping to do next year when my Military Service comes to an end. Can you give me an idea of the sort of thing you do and what quals/experience you would think were useful?

Wango, first of all which sorts of parents do you tend to like best, and secondly, do you think the right people come in to ask for help in response to the bit on the bottom of trip letters inviting those who can't afford it to get in touch?

I work as a department administrator in a secondary school; most of my job is organizing trips.

I'd like to know if you work in a shop do you get annoyed with people putting stuff back in the wrong place, or do you enjoy sorting it out? And if I can't be bothered to fold the jumper back up in the approved fashion would you rather I just left it flat?

Hi Mignonette. I'd say that recruitment was at 'steady state' at the moment. We haven't got any extras coming in, not more than we usually have. But there are an awful lot leaving - not just the redundees. Guys with 20, 22, 24 years experience that we would have expected to extend onto 37 year careers are leaving in droves, and sometimes with only a few weeks notice. Everyone is feeling the strain of trying to 'wear too many hats'. My 'actual' job title isn't CMO, but its the job I do most. I'm actually doing jobs that at a Regiment would be performed by 6 different people . Thankfully

I don't have that much insight into Military Doctors I'm afraid. I know that most of the ones I have had contact with were Doctors first, and then joined the military. Same with Dentists. At non deployable units the Docs are almost always civilian - some with mil experience, but often 'just' a doctor. My current Doc is ex RAF. Lots of qualified docs start off by joining the TA, and then move across. We employ a lot of civilian Practice Nurses and I have found them to be a good bunch, never had a problem with them and in a lot of cases it is easier to see them than the Doc.

Military Doctors are a strange breed. You get the ones that are amazing, completely on board with all the 'green shit', want to deploy and train and learn alongside their speciality. I had one once, a female that was one of only 3 military doctors trained and allowed to 'crack a chest' in a medical centre. She joined in with everything and volunteered for every deployment. Conversely, she was posted and replaced by a shit doctor who did away with the dispensary, because it was too much trouble, tried to force (with career threats) innoculations on unwilling soldiers, and diagnosed my "broken in 6 places ankle" as a 'nasty sprain' . He didn't last long, thank fuck!

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Hi Leda, I'm not that kind of CMO. I'm in unit (The 'Regimental' CMO) so my job is to ensure reports are written correctly, within the timescale and the Rules and Regs. I ensure that Career Courses are completed and registered. I help the guys write their Personal Objectives, Roles and Responsibilities, Posting and Employment Preferences. I gently let those down whose aspirations are way above their abilities. I suggest career enhancing courses and deployments. I try to push round pegs into round holes and remove the square pegs. At Regiment I would also run the promotion conferences and the 'kiss chart' which ranks the soldiers against each other when looking for promotion. Before JPA came in it would also have been my job to type up the reports as well, which was a pain in the arse.

Leda, remind me what you do for a living?

A bridal shop question - do you do bridesmaid dresses as well? Do you ever see real fights over bridesmaids not wanting to wear what the bride has picked out?

Oh thank you, Mignonette

My IQ has soared from these posts.

These threads are so interesting. I've learnt a lot. I have no questions as yet but I'm an analytical chemist working in drug development if anyone has any questions. I've also done inbound call centre work, factory work and and bookkeeping/admin in the construction industry.

Leda I was looking at training to be an ODP but my last pregnancy has left physical problems,am I right in thinking I'd have to be fully fit?

LtEve we call my husband's career management officer the DisAppointer (RN) just to cheer ourselves up! (no disrespect to you though). Following on from that though it must be a very hard job to match jobs with officers and keep everyone reasonably content! I'd love an insight into your workload / method if that's possible?
Boffin I'm in the midst of writing a governor election piece but struggling to make my professional background fit. Any tips?

Estate Agents let me rephrase the question -
would you say other Estate Agents lie?