VIP Jobs in MOD or HQ Air

[Shiney Pencil]

All

Having been in PSF/Man Servs area for four years now covering a whole host of jobs. I am considering my next move and have been thinking about VIP jobs in MOD or HQ Air and was wondering if anyone out there can give me some gen, good or bad it will be much appreciated?

Cheers

SP

 

[ForgottenName]

All

Having been in PSF/Man Servs area for four years now covering a whole host of jobs. I am considering my next move and have been thinking about VIP jobs in MOD or HQ Air and was wondering if anyone out there can give me some gen, good or bad it will be much appreciated?

Cheers

SP

I would wait until the VIPs in MOD or HQ Air make their decision on what way forward our trade is going before I made any move to work for them.

 

[tommo9999]

Do nothing for the moment until we hear what's happening with the trade. VIP may not be an option in the future.

 

[Twisted]

If you are of airman grade then I would say go for it. A few years on the VIP circuit would give your cv an extra twist that would then enable you to move into civvy street on the Executive PA/Office Manager circuit when TG17 inevitably gets swallowed up into a tri-serve admin branch.

If you are of NCO or Officer grade then stay put and work towards obtaining CIPD (Grad] or better still an MSc in HRM with an emphasis on international HR.

Cheers,

DT_Xtremez_28:

 

[Shiney Pencil]

If you are of airman grade then I would say go for it. A few years on the VIP circuit would give your cv an extra twist that would then enable you to move into civvy street on the Executive PA/Office Manager circuit when TG17 inevitably gets swallowed up into a tri-serve admin branch.

If you are of NCO or Officer grade then stay put and work towards obtaining CIPD (Grad] or better still an MSc in HRM with an emphasis on international HR.

Cheers,

DT_Xtremez_28:

Thanks for the advice. I have just started my MSc in HRM which will lead to part CIPD qualification. I just feel the VIP route might give me something else that PSF does not.

 

[ForgottenName]

If you are of airman grade then I would say go for it. A few years on the VIP circuit would give your cv an extra twist that would then enable you to move into civvy street on the Executive PA/Office Manager circuit when TG17 inevitably gets swallowed up into a tri-serve admin branch.

If you are of NCO or Officer grade then stay put and work towards obtaining CIPD (Grad] or better still an MSc in HRM with an emphasis on international HR.

Cheers,

DT_Xtremez_28:

Not as long as a number of us have got breath in our lungs will that ever happen. It would not be tri-Service, it would be just Army. The Army management would not know what to do with us, we are too good.

 

[True Blue Jack]

Not as long as a number of us have got breath in our lungs will that ever happen. It would not be tri-Service, it would be just Army. The Army management would not know what to do with us, we are too good.

Ain't that the truth.

VIP is a very specialised environment and one that has never appealed to me. You can certainly expect to work long hours doing all manner of gash jobs for little or no thanks. What are the rewards? You'll get to see the RAF from a completely different perspective. Seeing what passes through a 3 or 4-star's office and the decisions they have to make every day is an education in itself. It's always fun to see gp capts grovelling too. DT_Xtremez_31: Sadly, VIP is not the fast-track to promotion that it used to be. Well, not always anyway.

 

[tommo9999]

I think there is no such beast as a fast-track to promotion. Just do your job well enough to get decent reports, get involved in secondary duties/extra curricular stuff and promotion will come. VIP, as has been said above, can be a truly different employment area where you will come across things you may never be involved in again, but choose to do it because you want the job, not to get an advantage in the prom stakes.

 

[shiny_arse]

Exactly as Tommo describes it,

Did outer officer for CAS back in the late 90's and as a job really enjoyed it, did feck all for my promotion aspirations regardless of being plucked from SAMA for the position in the first place!

However, the main plus for the post was that both the FS and Sgt running the admin side were spot on and actually treated you as adults. Shortly after I left they were both replaced by "Yes Men" and morale disappeared quicker than the only jaffa cake left along with the rich tea biscuits!!

If you fancy a change of admin scene then would heartily recommend it, however guess at this exact moment in time we are all sitting tight waiting to see what is going to happen to the Trade as a whole let alone the posts that are out there.

 

[Man in Black]

If you are looking for something different than PSF, try Instructing at the RAF SA. After over 9 years in PSF that is what I did. It has to be the best job I have had in my 18 years. Alternatively, try RTS @ Halton or even recruiting.

 

[Woodja]

If you REALLY want something different - try a 6 month det to Thames House - they are looking for volunteers still I believe.

For info on what you could be doing there - this site has info on the kind of work you could be doing.

I have heard that it can be an interesting det (no DWR credit despite being an ERS commitment for 6 months - no suprise there then) so long as you get SSSA - the commute can be a killer from outside London.

 

[vinnyvx]

I think you'll find that PAs for 2* and above will not be affected by any possible future changes in TG17. Of course you'll be exempt OOA commitments for 3 years. As for hours, when I worked it I worked 8 to 5, on the odd day I worked a little earlier/latter. I got lots of qualifications under my belt by having plenty of time in the evening to go to college, uninterprupted by OOA dets.

Your VIP experience is driven by your principal, check him out thoroughly, find out how long he's been in post etc etc. You'll certainly know what's going on in the RAF/MOD. You'll get a great well written appraisal as well, and signed off by a 2* at least.

 

[shiny_arse]

You'll get a great well written appraisal as well, and signed off by a 2* at least.

Thats all very well and good, but it counts for diddly squat. Had some very well written reports, a spec and a signature from CAS, however those on the board obviously had better candidates out there.

I would argue that the variety of work and opportunities sells VIP rather than career progression (unless you are a Staff Officer)

 

[Kernow]

Thats all very well and good, but it counts for diddly squat. Had some very well written reports, a spec and a signature from CAS, however those on the board obviously had better candidates out there.

I would argue that the variety of work and opportunities sells VIP rather than career progression (unless you are a Staff Officer)

I have to agree the days when VIP was seen as a way of accelerating promotion I think have well and truly gone. It does offer an insight into how the top echelons work and decision making process works.

Interesting comment that Vinny made about PAs may possibly be retained for 2* and above seeing as we are supposedly becoming an HR focussed Trade and cutting away a lot of non-HR including PAs, then again it would seem (with no surprise) one rule for one etc etc etc

 

[vinnyvx]

Thats all very well and good, but it counts for diddly squat. Had some very well written reports, a spec and a signature from CAS, however those on the board obviously had better candidates out there.

Sorry at about that, my VIP tour got me promoted. VIP does give you at least 3 years of stability if you need it.

 

[shiny_arse]

Sorry at about that, my VIP tour got me promoted. VIP does give you at least 3 years of stability if you need it.

Aye, I'll grant you that, plus once you get that DV tick in the box they don't like you getting rid of it quickly. After 2 years on VIP, then spent a further 5 years on screened tours. PMA bit my poxy arm off as soon as the DV vetting lapsed!!