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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU, DH drafted in to beef up Olympic security

57 replies

GingerWrath · 07/08/2012 22:19

Is supposed to be home on Monday but has been informed they need extra people for the Paralympics, looks like DD's summer holidays are a write off! He won't be home til Sept 13th!

OP posts:
Hopeforever · 07/08/2012 22:28

I'm sorry to hear that he wont be home, it's hard when that's what you were expecting

However, why is DD's summer a write off? Do you have to wrk full time/are ill? If so, you have sympathy, if not, then can't you make your own fun? Must be the same for those who have OH on 6 month overseas or single parents

Original poster
GingerWrath · 07/08/2012 22:35

DH has done his fair share of detachments, has been gone for three weeks and we have only just moved to the area so I am not overly familiar yet

We normally camp, a lot, in the summer and we can't whilst he is in London.

OP posts:
Salmotrutta · 07/08/2012 22:38

Is your DH forces?

I'm quite appalled by the way our forces get treated TBH Sad. Bloody disgrace.

I hope you can manage a nice summer OP.

greenplastictrees · 07/08/2012 22:51

Sorry op - it sounds a horrible situation for you and totally rubbish to have your plans changed.

Can I take this chance though, to say what a brilliant job the forces have done at the games. Although your DH isn't there yet, I'm sure he will too. It's been lovely having the forces in London and doing security. They've all been so polite, helpful, chatty and cheery which can't be easy when like your DH, a lot have been away and would far rather now be at home.

Original poster
GingerWrath · 08/08/2012 09:17

Yes he is Forces, been there 3 weeks already, supposed to be finishing on Sunday, waiting to hear if he will be one of the chosen few.

He is pretty fed up, is only having one hot meal a day, working 12 hour shifts and travel to and from the venue is 3 hours on top of that.

I know he will still have a smile on his face and is enjoying the banter with the public!

OP posts:
PeggyCarter · 08/08/2012 09:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

JumpingThroughHoops · 08/08/2012 09:27

Better that than impromtu little skirmish somewhere in the world, dodging bullets.

Always a sliver lining if you look for it

squeakytoy · 08/08/2012 09:33

Is one hot meal a day not normal for most people?

Llanbobl · 08/08/2012 09:56

I think YAB (a teeny bit)U - it's his job - he can be called on for active service. I do appreciate that you and your family will miss him when he's deployed overseas and I can't begin to imagine the stress and the worry.

You should be proud of him - him and all the other forces drafted to support the Olympics are doing a marvellous job.

YABU (and precious - he's a grown man who has probably suffered greater deprivations and not complained)about one hot meal a day - many people and children in this country don't have a hot meal a day

JumpingThroughHoops · 08/08/2012 09:58

games makers (volunteers) are only getting one meal per 10-15hr shift.

polkadotsrock · 08/08/2012 10:03

I know this would suck, my husband is forces and I have been disappointed by situations such as this. But generally I moan for a day, call my mum and put the world to rights, then I shake it off and get on with whatever I already intended to do. Camp in the garden with the wee one if you can't go anywhere else alone, bet he'd love it. Don't know the age or anything but can you take a day trip to the games, see Daddy at work and take in the sports? New areas can be daunting but you could drop into the HIVE and see about excursions, groups etc that could suit both you and DD.
Failing all this, drink wine and fume at anyone who will listen about how much you hate the military (even though you don't really)- sometimes it just helps!!

Original poster
GingerWrath · 08/08/2012 10:05

That one hot meal is a fried breakfast, the other meals are a packed lunch consisting of one sandwich, a packet of crisps, a bar of chocolate and a sausage roll. Not really a substantial meal for a grown man.

It is NOT his job to cover for a contracted security firm who couldn't deliver a service, his job is as a skilled technician, not a security guard.

OP posts:
polkadotsrock · 08/08/2012 10:06

forgive me, she'd love it

squeakytoy · 08/08/2012 10:06

Is he getting paid less money for the job he is doing now then?

verytellytubby · 08/08/2012 10:08

I appreciate your frustration but can't he buy food if he's hungry still?

shinyrobot · 08/08/2012 10:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

midori1999 · 08/08/2012 10:13

It's rubbish. One of the major downsides of anyone being in the forces is that they work away a lot and miss out on a lot of things with their DC/their DC miss out on lots of times when their parent can't be there. One of the 'pay offs' of this is summer leave during school holidays and longer periods at home after deployment. What is worse is how the forces are being treated.

My friend's DH has just returned from Afghanistan (in April) and is now at the Olympics. Yet again, forces families being promised they will have some time together and then having it taken away from them.

Squeeky, I see what you are saying about one hot meal a day, but in camp/the cookhouse they would have the option of three hot meals a day if they wanted it and a 'fry up' breakfast and then basically packed lunches is not really suitable if someone is working a 12 hour day with 3 hours travelling on top.

squeakytoy · 08/08/2012 10:18

They are doing security at the Olympics, not assault courses. A fried breakfast and two lots of packed lunches should be more than enough to feed an adult for a day. My husband might not be in the forces but he works 12hour days, plus travelling, and has one packed lunch, and dinner when he gets home. He hasnt collapsed of starvation yet.

landofsoapandglory · 08/08/2012 10:19

It is shit! I have been disgusted at how they have just kept on taking from the Forces to cover their black hole in security, just because they can!

My DH is RAF, I have counted my lucky stars that he didn't have to go. However, I think the lunch you described is more than adequate for a grown man, DH is 6ft4 and takes less than that to work.

MummyPigsFatTummy · 08/08/2012 10:21

GingerWrath, no help really but can I just add to those who have said what a wonderful job the forces and your DH are doing at the Olympics. We were at the rowing last week and they couldn't have been more efficient, friendlier or more helpful if they had tried. It really added to the whole experience.

That said, you have my total sympathy - I know noone in the forces but I can imagine how annoying it must be for you, and for him.

For your DD though, would it not be possible to take her camping to a site somewhere fairly close, maybe with a small tent if yours is hard to erect on your own? It seems a shame for her to miss out if it is at all possible and children always make friends and have a ball when they get to a campsite (and it might give you a chance to kick back in a chair and drink wine while she plays).

Salmotrutta · 08/08/2012 10:28

Well, my DH (who is not forces) would be pretty hacked off at a packed lunch such as the OP describes for a 15 hour day!
The OP's DH may not be doing assault courses but he is still taking an active role and not just sitting on his bum all day. I expect he has to still sort all his kit out/bull his boots etc. for the next day when he gets back to base. That's quite a long day!
And he shouldn't have to buy stuff to supplement it - and neither should the volunteers either! They should get lunch and dinner IMHO.

Salmotrutta · 08/08/2012 10:30

one sandwich, a packet of crisps, a bar of chocolate and a sausage roll. - I don't think that's a very good lunch for an adult man doing something active.

Maybe I'm odd Confused

caramelwaffle · 08/08/2012 10:34

Is he doing security for the Olympic Park? Or Excel, or North Greenwich?

If you normally camp, consider camping at this campsite with your daughter; you will only be 15-30 minutes away from him and can meet up with him daily.

Original poster
GingerWrath · 08/08/2012 10:37

Yes Salmo he is still having to launder and iron his kit and polish his boots, plus fit in sleep some where in his 9 hours off duty. He is also sharing a room with people whose shifts clash with his.

I have upped sticks and have been staying with my DM, but I need my own space so we are going home today.

OP posts:
Original poster
GingerWrath · 08/08/2012 10:39

Haven't even considered camping near the venue as I assumed the sites would be booked solid!

OP posts:
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