Blue Book

[VBT1]

Hi just a quick question for the admin folks. Is the blue book with your service details and records etc still issued on discharge?? if so how long does the document take to arrive?
many thanx

[OK..Igiveup]

A guy left just after JPA came in and he got his nice blue folder and all it contained was a sheet that had his current/final posting on.
Not quite a gold watch or a golden handshake for 22 yrs of dedicated service

I hope they have sorted it over the last 8 months.

[ForgottenName]

VBT1, you really should go and visit your PSF to get a full answer to your question as you will get other good advice as well. However, I hope that the following will provide you with some guidance.

The actual production of your final termination documentation is now carried out at the JPAC at Kentigern House, Glasgow, although the wording that is contained in the narrative is provided by your Flt Cdr. Like most things JPA at the moment, I have been appalled at the current documentation that is produced; however, I do know that it is going to improve, hopefully around Mar/Apr 07, as I have seen the new product whilst visiting the JPAC in Gosport.

As for the narrative, I strongly advise you to chat to your Flt Cdr, if you have not already done so. This is your documentation and your input into its production can only help your cause - I am sure that there are lots of things that you have done whilst serving in the RAF, both inside and outside of Service environs, that are not formally recorded and that you may believe maybe of use to you in finding employment after you leave the RAF. To assist your Flt Cdr, you may wish to provide him with some of your old appraisals showing some of the activities that you have been involved in during your Service career - recent ones are available to you on JPA - as he will not have access to those.

Hope this helps.

[woollymouse]

Discharge Paperwork should be in your mitts before discharge however I don't know what the situation is like since JPA went live. Most of the stuff contained within the folder is raised at Unit level and any delays is usually in the narrative. (For some reason FLt Cdr's or whomever they have delegated it down to don't seem to take much concern with the write up on discharge from my experience). If you are coming close to discharge or have left the Service maybe you should be putting pressure on your Flt Cdr to get his/her finger out.

[ForgottenName]

Woolymouse. I agree with your comments about Flt Cdrs, hence my recommendation that VBT1 should go and see his. We often forget that even a serviceman who is (reportedly in our eyes) performing averagely (some would say even poorly) is heads and shoulders above his civilan counterpart. Therefore the narrative should be written accordingly to give the Service person a fighting chance when looking for civilian employment.

[VBT1]

Thanks for the replies and advice guys, I actually was 'terminated' early November 2006, clearly JPA functionally fully! JPA seems to be one excuse followed by another but hey thats progress!! I have a feeling it will get worse for you guys. For myself I find it dissapointing that after 22 years service that I have no proof or recognition of that fact. Also sad but not UNSURPRISING that if I wish to obtain a document that should be automatically issued and what is rightfully mine I should contact those clowns in Glasgow(after all they cocked up my pension and gratuity etc..... but thats another story). Thanks again and good luck to you all

[True Blue Jack]

Like most things, the "termination" process for JPA is still not working as described in the desk manuals. However, your Flt Cdr should have written a testimonial, which is just a fancy name for the discharge narrative that used to appear in the old blue book. Unit HR should then have e-mailed this to JPAC who put the rest of the pack together, to be sent to your home address well in advance of your last day of service.

Like I said, the process is still not working properly, but if you still have not received anything then you should get onto JPAC pronto. I can PM you their number if you need me to.

[ForgottenName]

VBT1. If you were terminated in Nov 06 and still have not received your termination (discharge) certificate, I would get back on to your unit. You cannot blame JPA and Glasgow if the narrative is still sat on your Flt Cdr's desk - something that is all too prevalent unfortunately. Also, if, when you do receive the package, if it is one of the awful ones that they are issuing I would advise you to send it back (photocopying it first of course) and ask for the improved version when it appears.

[Notsoblunt]

In addition to all the other paperwork, if you have served for 22 years or more you also should be entitled to a Valedictory Letter - a short, personal letter of thanks for your service, etc and signed off by some Air Ranking zobbit. I say "should be" because these things can be withdrawn for those being discharged for being naughty - but otherwise, you should have one!

I'm out on redundancy soon, and my final submissions for my F856 (discharge certificate) and Valedictory Letter were with my PSF clerk at the beginning of Nov 06. I've chased up since, and both are now written, signed and ready for issue to me when I am walking about with my blue chit on my final clearance.

[busbyboy]

In addition to all the other paperwork, if you have served for 22 years or more you also should be entitled to a Valedictory Letter - a short, personal letter of thanks for your service, etc and signed off by some Air Ranking zobbit. I say "should be" because these things can be withdrawn for those being discharged for being naughty - but otherwise, you should have one!

I'm out on redundancy soon, and my final submissions for my F856 (discharge certificate) and Valedictory Letter were with my PSF clerk at the beginning of Nov 06. I've chased up since, and both are now written, signed and ready for issue to me when I am walking about with my blue chit on my final clearance.

Valedictory Letters are issued direct from the AOC's office - not from Units.

[Kernow]

Valedictory Letters are issued direct from the AOC's office - not from Units.

Yes but VLs are initiated by the unit and tweaked accordingly, signed by the Stn Cdr and then passed up the line.

[woollymouse]

Valedictory Letters are issued direct from the AOC's office - not from Units.

Are you under the illusion that the AOC knows you personally!

As Kernow has pointed out above the VL are raised at Unit level, written at Unit level and sent to the AOC's department for typing on posh paper and signing. If they are delayed it's not the AOC's office fault but the unit probably the Flt Cdr once again sitting on it as he can't be bothered to put some words down on a bit of paper especially when it's not there to boost his standing on a promotion board.

[busbyboy]

Are you under the illusion that the AOC knows you personally!

As Kernow has pointed out above the VL are raised at Unit level, written at Unit level and sent to the AOC's department for typing on posh paper and signing. If they are delayed it's not the AOC's office fault but the unit probably the Flt Cdr once again sitting on it as he can't be bothered to put some words down on a bit of paper especially when it's not there to boost his standing on a promotion board.

As someone who has both edited at Unit level, and typed same at Cmd level, I am well aware that Unit's raise VLs. The point is not of illusionment, but rather of disillusionment! A completely nugatory piece of work that serves no useful purpose whatsoever - ditto for F856B - unless you are stuck in the colonial era. Any useful information will be in your CV and a reference from your Line Manager (aka Flt Cdr or whoever). I do hope that the correspondent above who suggests that the new JPA Testimonials will be a greatly improved product is correct. But I'm not holding my breath.

[flintwich]

When I left in 2001, I was given the paperwork on the last day, told to read it and return with any amendments that needed doing. This done pronto, I am still awaiting the amended stuff. Funny thing is, at none of my interviews was I asked to produce anything to prove my service or qualifications gained in the service.

[True Blue Jack]

A completely nugatory piece of work that serves no useful purpose whatsoever - ditto for F856B - unless you are stuck in the colonial era.

The point of a VL is not its usefulness but the fact of its existence. Most of the (probably more than 100) people whose discharge/retirement I have administered over the years have considered it nothing more or less than something nice to frame and hang in the downstairs toilet. It's the kind of thing whose (sentimental) value increases over time.

Any useful information will be in your CV and a reference from your Line Manager (aka Flt Cdr or whoever).

I think you'll find that a personal reference over and above the official testimonial contravenes QRs. I don't have the reference to hand, but it's there. The old F856B was pointless; who cares what your occupation was before joining, or categories of driving licence held? I have not seen the JPA version in its finished format, but I am led to believe(!) that it's much better.

[Fife Shiney]

VBT1, remember that in addition to your "Blue Book", you also have access to your Personal Development Record (The bluebinder issued to everyone - you know - the one that's still in the sellophane!)

In my experience, and speaking to employers, a properly filled in PDR and a good CV will stand you in good stead, even without a "Blue Book" and/or Valedictory Letter.

[VBT1]

Thanx for your constructive advice Fife however, I wasn't enquiring about the PDR folder, just the lack of Blue book that acknowledges my RAF service.