This taken from the Defence Intranet today 23 Jul 10. (copyright MoD)

Changes to the policy governing rest and recuperation (R&R) for Service personnel deployed on operations have been announced by the Ministry of Defence today, Thursday 22 July 2010.

The move delivers on the commitment outlined in the Coalition Programme for Government to maximise R&R as part of rebuilding the military covenant.

It follows the recommendation of Service Chiefs and agreement with the RAF Families Federation.

The changes aim to ensure that Service personnel on operations get the R&R they deserve while reducing the potential for delays travelling to and from theatre.

Under the new guidelines, all Service personnel serving tours in Afghanistan and Iraq of six months or longer will continue to receive two weeks mid-tour leave, but now with a guarantee that any days lost, due to delays in transit or for any other operational reason, will be made up at the end of their tour.

To help minimise delays by easing pressure on military flights, the Service Chiefs have also recommended that those Service personnel due to serve on short tours will in future be posted for less than four months, thus removing the need for them to take R&R. This will mainly affect those serving with the Royal Air Force.

The changes will significantly benefit 85 per cent of those personnel currently serving in Afghanistan, drawn from all Services, who are serving on longer tours.

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox said:

"I am delighted to announce this change which will ensure that the Service personnel who are serving on the longest tours of duty get the rest they so richly deserve while strengthening our overall operational effectiveness.

"The Government is dedicated to the care and welfare of our troops and alongside the recent doubling of the Operational Allowance these steps show our commitment to rebuild the Military Covenant."

R&R gives troops the chance to recharge their batteries, improving morale and operational effectiveness. These benefits have to be balanced against operational requirements to ensure that commanders on the ground maintain the capability and flexibility they need to take the fight to the enemy.

The benefits of providing R&R during a six-month deployment are well-documented and significantly outweigh the challenges that it presents. The same cannot always be said for four month tours where the turnover through theatre is higher and stress and fatigue do not necessarily reach the same levels, meaning that the cost in terms of administration and collective operational effectiveness are closely balanced against the benefit to our personnel and their personal operational effectiveness.


Please note this a edited version. For the full story please see the Defence Intranet.

Good news for 6 monthers.
Made up at the end ........... does that mean youll leave 2 days early (for example) or they'll give you 2 extra days podl ???

Good question, HBK

instead of 123 days in theatre including R&R, will they now make it 116 days without R&R. That is neither here nor there.

Surely the better way would be to start the R&R when you land in the UK and work out the return date from that!

But what do I know?!!!!

lets get real...do you need a week at home during a 4 month det.....NO YOU DON'T....
Its about time to get used to it......FACT.

had a 4* come through here a couple of weeks ago he talked about this happening although he hinted it would be happening around the start of the next leave year.

He was also implying that the Airforce would move inline with the Army and only do 6 month tours in operational theatres.

MickE wrote:

lets get real...do you need a week at home during a 4 month det.....NO YOU DON'T.... Its about time to get used to it......FACT.

Quite correct Mick I suppose if you spend your 4 months by the pool then you won't need a week off. FACT

Peeps...you are bang on....

just for the record, during my last OOA I spent no days by any pool...

they were days on the beach, with sun loungers and warm sea's to swim in.....fantastic.....

phone the Drafter and get the Det you want..not the one that needs filling.

always works.

Op DELIBERATE FORGE....5* hotel in Bari, swimming pool on the roof and the more days off you got the more rates you got. I didn't get one days R&R what's that all about?!

MickE wrote:

Peeps...you are bang on.... just for the record, during my last OOA I spent no days by any pool... they were days on the beach, with sun loungers and warm sea's to swim in.....fantastic..... phone the Drafter and get the Det you want..not the one that needs filling. always works.

Don't forget about the weeks R&R back in the UK you also had!!

How is this for a p*ss take...My location - No R&R, your old location - R&R. My location - 2 x Movers, Your old location - 4 x Movers. My location - ordered to send 1 x Mover to cover while SNCO goes on R&R....You couldn't make it up!!

Fairplay, I would take it if offered!!


GS

ps I can't complain, my JNCO is from the Wing so wouldn't get R&R anyway, but once that slot goes DWR in 2 weeks don't expect that location to get cover from here!

SA

I'd put in a greivance....how dare they treat people like that!!! It's totally unfair. Harsh treatment. LOL

Seriously, some you'll win some you'll lose....but my point is they haven't put any real substance on what is going be actually involved. Is it going down the 6 mnth route or the AMW route?

Greg,
it never rains.....hey.....