And just to cheer you all up....

[scaryteacher]

.....

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/defence/8061854/Armed-Forces-education-allowance-facing-cuts

They'll go back to taxing it next.

Indeed. Why should our children be entitled to continuity of education? Is it October 20 we are waiting for for the SDR? Wonder what will happen then!

Dh already applying for jobs as he retires in early 2014. Better to go now methinks than stay twisting in the wind until they sort through the ramifications of the SDSR and the changes that are bound to come to the AFPS.

My husband, who until recently would have said he was a lifer, is now considering leaving at his sixteen year point (in three years) because he thinks the cuts will render the job far less attractive.

Ditto jscot - they had a meeting last week and were basically told their bit would be all desk jobs from now on - if it survives at all.

Heard a rumour that they were looking at 4yr postings as a way to save money... implying that with greater stability the need for a lot of the other benefits would fall away. Which sort of makes sense, really, when you think about it. Not great though if that 4 year posting is somewhere horrific or miles away

My husband's capbadge is the only part of the Army that is expanding at the moment but the operational tour rate is appalling and the there are several people at his rank that are double and (in one case that we know of) triple-hatted.

4yr postings would affect promotion. For example: to pink, a major needs to have been seven years in rank with four reports; two at staff and two at command with the second of each type recommending promotion.

If each posting were 4yrs long, it would take eight years in rank before promotion becomes possible. Given how few promote first look, this would effectively hold people back.

I guess if they 4 year tour, then they may have to look at the promotion system too? If they doing something radical with the tour length, then they will have to overhaul quite a few of the manning practices.

4 years posting somewhere rubbish like here would kill me. The only light at the end of the tunnel is that I've only got 20 months left!

Then again in Germany I was sick with jealousy for those soldiers who got to stay in one place for a decade...

Four year tours/appointments would not be a bad thing though? Dh has managed to get 3 appointments on the trot where we currently are, all in different organisations, so he will have done 9 years here by the time we go home.

I suppose the boredom factor could come into play though. Normally after about 18 months to 2 years he starts to get antsy and wants to do a different job. God knows how he'll cope with civvy street when he retires.