SJAR Potential Narrative Upon Career Break.

[Sixty Percent Overlap]

As one is expected to write up the 1st RO parts on a few SAC SJARs this year, I'm about to encounter my first hurdle in the years that I've been doing them - the Potential narrative section on one of my SACs who'll be soon embarking on a career break.

I've noted that this circumstance can be more common amongst our commissioned brethren but has anyone experienced this in their position as 1st ROs? Are there any effective statements I could possibly consider to include and do I state their intention to have a career break in their report? I haven't examined JSP 757 with a fine toothcomb yet, I'd like to see if there are others who have experienced this and how they approached this in the past.

I'd like to avoid to state anything within the potential box that could possibly disadvantaging the individual's career upon their eventual return to duty.

 

[Odie]

I'd stick with what the assessment is about - their performance in the last 12 months and their potential for promotion at the time of assessment. Their intention to take a career break should have no bearing on those elements, unless they've slacked off because they're having the career break.

 

[Hu Jardon]

As well as reporting on last 12 months surely you must cast your opinion of future potential and their promotion recommendation which may well be influenced by someone taking a career break. Seem to remember a couple who did it when a sporting opportunity came up, but it was spooky that they where coming close to the top of the OOA lists.

 

[Little Tronk]

A lot would depend on WHY he is taking a career break I suppose.

 

[Sixty Percent Overlap]

Thanks for the pointers thus far, I was anticipating feedback perhaps from the commissioned side who has had this occurrance happen to them too.

I'll state, albeit very briefly, the subject's intention with the career break but will focus, more importantly, how his potential would be if, for example, he wasn't intending to take one.

Happy to wait-out for more from anyone out there.

 

[Sniffer]

I would say the potential narrative should be completed without consideration to the proposed career break.

Ask yourself, in the last 12 months did the subject display the potential for promotion. If they did then this must be reflected in the narrative regardless of what their plans may be.

What if the subject's plans change and the career break does not happen. Should they be disadvantaged by a potential narrative based upon something that did not happen.

I would see it as no different to writing an SJAR for someone in their last 12 months of service. Your write up of their potential should not be influenced by their exit date. IMO.

 

[Hu Jardon]

Just as a matter of interest what kind of a sport billy is he/she?

 

[Sixty Percent Overlap]

Not sport, purely family reasons.

 

[Joe_90]

Will the career break enhance their potential at all? Perhaps allowing them personal development opportunities that the RAF can't offer?

 

[Sixty Percent Overlap]

Good point but I suppose that remains to be seen in the future. I'll have to draw a line on this soon as the 2nd RO will want it in their in-tray before the Christmas break. BTW, the 2nd RO is also new to this situation.

 

[Joe_90]

Potential is about the future though. A one liner reading something like "Bloggs upcoming career break will allow him to build upon his already exceptional interpersonal skills while he runs a charity for alcoholic nuns" may be relevant.

 

[Sixty Percent Overlap]

Quite a good way to describe it, thanks. Might not include the nun bit though!

 

[stereolab]

Career break

Career break

As one is expected to write up the 1st RO parts on a few SAC SJARs this year, I'm about to encounter my first hurdle in the years that I've been doing them - the Potential narrative section on one of my SACs who'll be soon embarking on a career break.

I've noted that this circumstance can be more common amongst our commissioned brethren but has anyone experienced this in their position as 1st ROs? Are there any effective statements I could possibly consider to include and do I state their intention to have a career break in their report? I haven't examined JSP 757 with a fine toothcomb yet, I'd like to see if there are others who have experienced this and how they approached this in the past.

I'd like to avoid to state anything within the potential box that could possibly disadvantaging the individual's career upon their eventual return to duty.

Having been out 16 years I am not sure what a career break actually entails, and particularly for an SAC, could someone please advise exactly what it entails, particularly with regard to pay matters.

 

[Sniffer]

Pay is stopped. Med and dental treatment is still available. You may work elsewhere but cannot take a career break purely to work. So for example, if Mr Sniffer got a fab job opportunity to work abroad for 12 months I could take a career break to go with him and I could get a job to ensure we are financially stable.

 

[Sixty Percent Overlap]

My understanding, if correct, is that career breaks can also serve & benefit the service if the individual was to represent a venture (sport in most cases) at national/international level.

Keeping the tread on topic, I've managed to work around the initial problem so thanks all for your inputs.

 

[stereolab]

Breaks

Breaks

Pay is stopped. Med and dental treatment is still available. You may work elsewhere but cannot take a career break purely to work. So for example, if Mr Sniffer got a fab job opportunity to work abroad for 12 months I could take a career break to go with him and I could get a job to ensure we are financially stable.

Appreciate the clarification. Thank you.