OMG that's it, in 3 hours time....

[McDreamy]

.......we become a civilian family. End of an era, feels a bit . Farewell I will miss you all

Good luck, wish we were. Sort of wish it, have done 18 years now and am fed up.

So what's your DH going to do?

Don't wish it away Saltire - we have just under two years and it's looking scary, especially as I can see the gratuity being eaten up by uni fees.

He's been really fortunate and managed to get the job he wanted locally! Still feels quite scary though. Feels like our comfort blanket has been taken away. It's been a pain in the arse at times being in the forces but we've had a bloody good time

Good luck in your new civilian lives McDreamy .

Thank you - you'll still all chat to me right? Can I come on here as a retired member ?

Good luck!

McDreamy - you are the voice of experience and font of knowledge so I hope you still stay on Forces Sweethearts!!!

good luck. DH has a few more weeks work, then some courses and leave, and becomes civvie in Sept. I am terrified!!!

So pleased your DH has the job he wanted locally that is fantastic.

wow id love to swap places with you, i have 4 months until my partner goes to sandhurst and its literally killing me id love to br writing its over lol.

Im sure you'l be fine in the next chapter of your lives, and if you have any tips on how to enjoy it and get through it id appreciate it.

Welcome back to civi life x x x

dh finished work last friday to start his new job civilian work attachment and resettlement.

i'm not moving out of the quarter until the end of june though.

we should have our own 'new civvy st' thread!

bit scary, isn't it?!

the forces dont just forget you though
dh had been out of the navy for nearly five years when he died and they have been anazing helping us

good luck x

Good luck with it all McDreamy

oh wow mcdreamy, good luck chick, last I heard you were in cyprus (I think or germany) & I was emailing you greys anatomy. :o

think DP is hankering after getting out & it's scaring the hell out of me already.

Cyprus! Came back 2 years ago! Do you still watch?

Thanks for all your kind words. Gonna miss it ALOT but loving the stability for the family that being a civvie brings.

The very best of luck to you, McDreamy - can't imagine what it must feel like! DH is so totally institutionalised; don't think he'll survive in the real world when that day eventually comes!

Glad to hear that your husband has managed to secure a job and glad to hear that you've had a good time being a forces family. It has its ups and downs, but we've had a bloody good time of it (he's nearly 30 years in now and has loved every minute - ish...).

Only 30 Talc? - a dogwatch, that's all!!! Dh has now done 32 I think and 2 and a bit to go. End of Jan 2014 looming fast.

Ha Ha - too true, Scary - a mere slip of a lad! However, if he manages to escape the chop (or chops, if we consider the subsequent tranches) he's got about another 8 or so years. Started very young you see...

Dh joined at 18 and then went and did his degree....he has escaped the chop as he is too near retirement anyway. I can't believe they make them go at 53 in the RN when the same rank in the Army and RAF hang on for far longer (and so get more pension!!).

Dh was a mere babe of 16 on joining as a boy sailor; he made the move from the lower deck a few years after that and subsequently has seen the service from every angle!

Ooh - huge clap of thunder!

From under the water as well?

DH is a mere babe at 22 years in...I have no idea what will happen. He is not at risk in the current round, and I sort of think that a bit of him is disappointed. I think he wants the challenge of a second career, and better to face that mid 40s than at 55. I know he could walk, but the redundancy package would make a big difference. He is also at home at the moment (MUST change that name!) There is a bit of me that would like him to climb on up the greasy pole - but you have to be realistic...I also think he would really get stuck into the challenge of life as a civvy.

Was anyone else at Twickers today? Amazing crowd...about 62,000!!! The Navy were fantastic and dominated the match totally for ....about 20 minutes. Then it all got a bit embarrassing if you were Navy. My boys were in floods of tears. However, through gritted teeth, I have to say that the best team won. Grrrr.

No scary not from under - I meant more from a rank perspective, rather than distance above/below the surface!

On that topic; does anybody know anything of the forthcoming changes in training, where all recruits, officers and ratings, will start with 10 weeks of Naval General Training (probably at Raleigh)? Or is this just a rumour - I certainly can't seem to find much about it online. A friend of my daughter has just been through BRNC and reckons that she was in one of the last few intakes to start directly at Dartmouth.

Sorry for going off-topic McDreamy - please come and tell us what civilian life is like so far! How is your DH feeling?

So how is civilian life treating you all?!

We've got 18 months left until DH has finished his 22. I'm scared!