Hello from AFF

[ArmyFamiliesFederation]

Hi everyone! Just to say that the AFF has joined to help with any queries or concerns you may have with Army family life. We'd love to hear from you wherever you are, UK and overseas and whoever you are, spouse, fiance, parent, grandparent, sibling, GF/BF...all extended family of a soldier!

I'd like to take this opportunity to tell you about our annual AFF Grab survey. We need to find out about how you feel about your life as an Army family so that we can represent your views to Army command and politicians.

With drastic spending cuts affecting jobs, housing and all aspects of Army life please use this opportunity to provide AFF with evidence to campaign on your behalf. It will only take about 10 minutes to complete and it is anonymous (we've had over 1,700 responses so far!) - www.surveymonkey.com/s/AFF_Grab_2012

I look forward to being a part of this forum :)

welcome AFF :)

Thank you anklebitersmum! :)

welcome AFF, we are always telling people army,navy or RAF to check your website here so you will be a welcome addition :)

Can you tel NFF to get on board here as well please ? Not that NFF aren't great but is navy types are different! Oh and don't hide over here in FS - there's other stuff going on

Doh - that should read not that AFF aren't great ....

Hi AFF - welcome to your new, full time job sorting out forces sweetheart issues on MN

I hope you last longer than the RAF families association on here - I think they posted on one thread and disappeared, never to be seen again.

Can I also suggest that you try to keep an eye on the sn board, as periodically posters pop up who are serving families, with service specific issues. I do try to forward them in the direction of yourselves and SSAFA and especially the additional needs conference/ FANDF, and CEAS for school issues, but I do miss some. It's a particularly niche area and one that the support is easily available if you know where to find it!

Lovely to see you!

Thank you for all the welcomes, very kind of you :)

I will do my best to keep an eye out for as many Service related issues as possible but please bear with me as, in addition, I have rather a full plate of IT stuff to contend with on a daily basis!

The AFF Journal has gone live this morning on the website with a great new section - Yummy Mummy, and an easier way to enter the Reader Giveaways - check out www.afj.org.uk

Hi AFF! The very notion of a section on Yummy Mummy makes me though.

Oh blimey. I had hoped it would be a cookery section, maybe meal suggestions for whilst the spouse is away, but no. It really is beauty tips... I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

Hello hf, anyway. Don't see you round these parts of late!

Hello AFF - I have your first query . Sorry 'tis a bit lengthy .

A friend's DH has been posted to Portsmouth and turned down their first quarter due to it being a ferry journey away to place of work for DH. DH needs to be in their preferred location due to work reason, not personal yet DOI are stating they've turned down quarter for personal reason.

The post is: senior a/c engineer needed to sign the things fit to fly, sometimes on short notice for operational reasons, which can't be done on the phone, so he needs to get in quickly.

When the ferry isn't running or in the middle of the night, the journey would almost be an hour away by car from where they offered the 1/4 to work.

They have been told they're on a list (a 2nd list, not the 1st list) and will have to wait until 1/4 becomes available - is: after 1st list has been fulfilled.

He is already working there and wife (now completley stressed out with worry) about finding a school for 6yr ds (and have had to place dd 8yrs into board). She needs to find a work placement to start in September to be able to continue with her teaching open university course and the whole thing seems never ending.

DOI aren't answering the phone or replying to their emails.

Do you have any suggestions/advice as to what they can do/anyone they can contact to help them?

His new CO agrees with their request yet still nothing being done to find them a house.
DOI in this area are hassling them saying they have to get out of quarter asap as they're no longer posted here.

TIA

Hi loopy,

Thank you for your query. I'd suggest your friend start off by contacting her local AFF Co-ordinator in her current location (www.aff.org.uk/contact_us/index.htm) to see if there's anything she can do. If needs be the Co-ordinator will ask our Housing Specialist, Cat Calder to step in but she's in Germany this week (although possibly checking emails).

HTH :)

Link! www.aff.org.uk/contact_us/index.htm

"Yummy Mummy"? Seriously?

What a way to reinforce the stereotype of the army wife as someone who stays at home with perhaps a suitably "yummy" part-time job making caked or cushions or similar while making sure she looks good for when "hubby" (cringe) comes home.

What about the dishy daddies who are SAHP supporting military women

Are you going to have a section on the best shaving foams for them?

I know. I thought I'd tripped over and fallen into gumboots and pearls. Clearly the act that I spend my life fighting that (amongst other) stereotypes means nowt in the face of cultural reinforcement from the institutions themselves.

I mean, I know it'll just be 'look after yourselves' with a few freebies thrown in, but.... Gah.

AFF: you might like to have a look at this thread in Primary Education which is about a school appeal with a military slant.

At least Gumboots & Pearls had its tongue firmly inserted in its cheek. This AFF section has no such redeeming qualities.

Many thanks for the tip, Edith, I've posted some info :)

I'm going to have to resurrect that blardy lynne dubrofsky research about army wives and feminism, aren't I? It's been on the back burner for a while (about forty years) but long overdue.

I keep promising. Anyone want to take part in an online interview? It would be basically 'discuss life as a military spouse', but I am all ears as to how you balance the lifestyle with equality and whether you feel you conform or adhere to stereotypes (willingly or otherwise). Particular interest in deployment situations.

Can provide full research info on request...

Apols, AFF, don't want to tread on toes on your thread.

A bit reluctant to start a thread about a thread, might do it later once I've pondered...

You can interview me - so long as there's no OPSEC /PERSEC issues, I'll answer anything.

Ooh - I'd be up for an online tinterview too madwoman. Let's just say I like to go against the grain when it comes to 'little wifey' stereotypes ;)

Oo,

I need to dust off my proposal, but is it ok if I pm you ladies over the next couple of days? Will just need to think through logistics as the other stuff was face to face interviews, which deffo won't work in this instance...

No OPSEC/ PERSEC issues I can think of - particularly as you'd have the option to complete anonymity using online interface, but will forward you all the details and you can make your own minds up prior to participation... Had jumped through ethical hoops before, but online stuff should simplify.