Discharge with Permanent Downgrade

[dmpluto]

Hi. I am curious as to where someone stands when getting discharged from the RAF at end of contract while being permanently downgraded. I was downgraded a few years back and I was left to run the course of my 9 year contract out. I have been refused further service solely due to my downgrade and now I am time ex. I have had my discharge medical obviously and nothing was said and I left feeling as though they gave me a tick of full health! As it is a case of time up on contract do I have any rights to anything? The downgrade is not of anything caused by military life by the way. In some ways I view this as almost the same as a medical discharge because they would of signed me on if I wasn't downgraded so what is the difference between getting medically discharged before end of contract and normal discharge at end of contract? Surely both are the same in the fact my career is over due to illness.

Just a little confused.

 

[Joe_90]

It costs less to let you go end of contract?

 

[killerball]

You say it was not caused by military life

Are you sure it can't be Attributed???

Afterall, when you had an entrance medical were you not declared Fully Fit to undertake all duties within current MES?

What MES did you leave with?

 

[dmpluto]

Unfortunately not caused by the RAF, I have one of life's little quirks and an over active immuno problem. Not caused by anything but just one of life's hiccups. Incidentally doesn't affect me and never had a day off sick in 9 years! But alas, because I have to take a pill and pop over to a hospital every 3 months for a blood test i am downgraded.

So can I assume I have no leg to stand on in the discharge part of it as I wrote above. Regardless of being downgraded on exit? On one hand the RAF are making me feel like it's a purely end of contract and they reserve the right etc etc but then told I would of had a future had my med cat been different. So I hope you guys can see why I, personally, don't see the difference between my discharge and a medical discharge where someone gets a payoff. Like I said, after all my career has ended 13 years too early for what I wanted.

 

[True Blue Jack]

As far as the RAF is concerned you have been/will be discharged at your regular service expiry date, no further action required.

However, I think it would be worth you getting in touch with the Royal British Legion. They are very good at taking cases like yours forward, although I understand their caseload is rather heavy at the moment so it may take some time.

Did you apply for further service only to be rejected because of your medical category or did you not apply because you were told it would be futile? If you were rejected on medical grounds that may help your case.

 

[killerball]

There are a lot of ex service people who have had their careers cut short by an illness, diabetes and asthma are two classics.

This is why the service is clever and I guess correct to only offer short further service options.

Had you of been lucky enough to sign on before your illness was known, then you would have been looked after, until your next exit point.

There has to be a cut off point somewhere and it stands to reason that the service would not employ anyone who cannot fulfill their requirement.

Suffice to say that as your discharge and illness can not be attributed to the military then you have no reason to expect more from them.

 

[dmpluto]

Did you apply for further service only to be rejected because of your medical category or did you not apply because you were told it would be futile? If you were rejected on medical grounds that may help your case.

I was never allowed to apply for further service. It has always been a verbal no from everybody from the Chief Clerk to the SMO and my Jengo. I have made it clear on many occasions I wanted to attempt to sign on but was told no as I downgraded permanently. Thats the rules I guess.

To be honest I do feel like I am leaving the RAF with no record of me ever having tried to extend my contract. It has all been word of mouth and it has all been kept pretty much in house between my Jengo, Chief Clerk and SMO.

 

[killerball]

Do you think you could convince the people from your ex, chain of command to stand up in court and testify that they stopped your extension application.

Unless you got in writing then you is stuck

 

[dmpluto]

Do you think you could convince the people from your ex, chain of command to stand up in court and testify that they stopped your extension application.

Unless you got in writing then you is stuck

Are you saying I should of been allowed to apply? I should point out that I have recently been told that when I signed my downgrading paper years ago this meant until end of contract only, apparently. Although I have to say I don't recall this but that's what they have told me. They also have been quoting the book saying that the "rules" state an extension of service can ONLY be offered if my med cat changes and the SMO has said he doesn't envisage them changing so it's a big fat no from everybody.

The problem is and why I have been such a pain in the arse over this to everyone is that I just don't trust anything I have been told. I hear conflicting information every where I go that makes me question and doubt everything. It's a real nightmare for me and all the poor buggers I moan at! Sorry Muttydog!

 

[MrMasher]

Once permanently downgraded ACOS Manning review your case and decide whether you can stay in.
Once they had decided you would have been called to the Chief Clerk and your options would have been explained, ie, you could get a med discharge straight away or serve until your 9 year point.
You would then sign your paperwork annotating your decision and it all goes back to manning.
Unfortunately you won't have any comeback. What you got over people discharged before their exit point was to serve for those extra years until your natural exit point.
It sounds like you think you're also entitled to a payoff? You won't get one.

 

[dmpluto]

Once permanently downgraded ACOS Manning review your case and decide whether you can stay in.
Once they had decided you would have been called to the Chief Clerk and your options would have been explained, ie, you could get a med discharge straight away or serve until your 9 year point.
You would then sign your paperwork annotating your decision and it all goes back to manning.
Unfortunately you won't have any comeback. What you got over people discharged before their exit point was to serve for those extra years until your natural exit point.
It sounds like you think you're also entitled to a payoff? You won't get one.

No I don't think I am entitled to a pay off as such, more things like medical costs for prescriptions etc was my point. Those extra years have been great and I am thankful for those years. Your description is informative and matches what I have been told, it's just confusion sets in when I hear other things or conflicting info. Money is not my aim, a career is and this one is ending.

 

[MrMasher]

No worries.
Just dont listen too much to the tea bar lawyers.
If you've got queries direct them to the retention cell at Manning. You can find their details on the ACOS website.
It's better to get your answers from the actual mouth of the horse!

 

[busby1971]

Makes sense

Makes sense

You have a medical condition that means that you cannot be fully employed and the RAF have let you stay in to the end of your contract because you can do most of your duties without too much impact.

You have stated that it's not the RAFs fault so I cannot see what you expect to get.

If you had been unable to fulfill your duties you would have been kicked out with a medical discharge (fnar fnar) and therefore a small military pension (it would not have been much but it would have been something). It is highly unlikely you would have got the condition attributable and unless you can prove the RAF misdiagnosed it and made the condition worse then the chance of a war pension would be nil.

You joined the RAF on a fixed term contract which you are now about finish, hopefully you have planned for the future, which you have known is coming for some time and will make the most of the rest of your life.

 

[Odie]

No I don't think I am entitled to a pay off as such, more things like medical costs for prescriptions etc was my point.

You seem to have had a few years of free prescriptions for a condition that you freely admit isn't the fault of the service, but your body throwing a wobble. That's better than those civvies that would have had the same condition for the same amount of time have done. If you're after support for further financial support for prescription costs after you've left the service, I'd say that you're piddling in the wind. Once you've registered with a civilian GP, they may be able to give you more info as to whether you're entitled to free prescriptions.

I too have a condition that means I have a regular prescription - currently free while I'm still in, but once I leave the service I expect to be treated as a civvy and pay for my prescription.

 

[dmpluto]

I would like to clarify incase I have come across wrong that I do not assume to be owed anything by the RAF or trying to fleece the service but was genuinely curious about entitlements due to misinformation. I have caused a bit of thread drift by rambling on about the circumstances, so I do apologise.

Just felt I had to explain that in case I came across wrong. But thanks for all the replies. It all makes sense a bit more.

 

[Talk Wrench]

Give the Royal British legion a call. They are the ones best placed to advise as to War Pensions etc or to at least give you the lowdown on entitlements or non entitlements to things such as free prescriptions for long term conditions etc.

They are experts in helping ex serviceman, it's what they are there for.


Good luck !!!


TW

 

[busby1971]

Agree with the above

Agree with the above

Whilst the RAF owe you nothing you have served in the forces and therefore there are many agencies out there who will provide you with help, guidance and support.

Don't just stop at TRBL get in touch with RAFA and SAAFA, you'll get a booklet when you leave that should give you all their details.

Good luck for the future bud.