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NFF Job Vacancy: Data Entry Processor
We are recruiting for a Data Entry Processor. This is a part-time position (20 hours per week) located in Portsmouth. The vacancy is for a 12 month period with a view to extending to 24 months. The pro rata salary is in the region of £9,200 pa (FTE c£16,500 pa). Click here for details. The closing date for applications is 7 June.
HASC: Bank Holiday Closure
The HASC offices will be closed this Bank Holiday Monday and Tuesday 28 May.
Kings Camp: Portsmouth
Kings Camp is coming back to Portsmouth! The summer holiday camps provide the children of Service personnel with an action packed week of fun and sports activities. The camps will run from 29 July - 2 August at HMS TEMERAIRE, and 5 - 9 August at HMS Collingwood.
Final funding is still to be confirmed; at this stage we are asking people to register their interest. E-mail WO1 PT Nash on:
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. The serving parent/guardian is encouraged to be a member of the RNRMC Payroll Scheme.
Introduction of the Naval Nanny Service
The Naval Nanny Service provides Naval Service parents with a reliable option for childcare, to be used when the regular childcare solution is insufficient to enable them to carry out their professional duties. It provides flexibility that regular childcare is often unable to provide. Click here for details.
Free Carvery to Celebrate Armed Forces Day
Following on from the success of last year, national restaurant group Crown Carveries, is once again supporting Armed Forces Day by offering a free carvery or breakfast to all serving personnel and veterans. The offer runs from Monday 24 - Saturday 29 June. To claim the free meal simply visit: www.crowncarveries.co.uk to download the ‘Free Forces Meal’ voucher and present it along with a current ID card, or veteran lapel badge, to staff at your local Crown Carvery restaurant.
David Lloyd Leisure Clubs: Armed Forces Deal
Armed Forces personnel, their families and MOD employees can enjoy reduced rates at David Lloyd clubs throughout the UK and Europe. The offer includes discounted joining fees, reduced monthly membership, and a free seven day trial to see if it is for you.
To find out more, including terms and conditions, visit your nearest club, call: 023 9222 2700, or visit: davidlloyd.co.uk/armedforces. The closing date for joining is 31 May 2013.
Battle of the Atlantic 70th Anniversary
To mark the 70th anniversary of this historic event, the Royal Navy, supported by
the Merchant Navy and other maritime organisations, is holding a series of events across the UK during May 2013. The main focus will be in Liverpool, with a number of events elsewhere in the country, including London and Londonderry. Visit the Royal Navy website for further information.
Your Feedback Wanted: Armed Forces Pay Review Body – Portsmouth
The Armed Forces Pay Review Body is visiting Portsmouth on 10 June. The Board is undertaking a programme of visits around the country to gather evidence for next year’s pay award. The Body want to hear from personnel and their families. Click here for details.
Royal Marine: “My Wife Definitely has the Harder Job”
Click here to watch a short video on the BBC website, in which Colour Sgt Dominic Conway from 40 Commando, and his wife Rebecca, share their experiences of what it's like being apart for months at a time.
 Op HERRICK: Extended Tours
The Defence Secretary has announced that the pattern of Brigade rotations for Op HERRICK will change from October. As a result, some Service personnel will be required to serve extended tours in Afghanistan, of up to 8 and potentially 9 months. A new HERRICK Drawdown Allowance is being introduced for affected personnel. Click here for details.
Share? MOD Guidance on using Social Media
The MOD has produced guidance on acceptable social media behaviour for military personnel. The guidance warns users about the risks of releasing too much information about themselves or operational details. Inappropriate use may be subject to disciplinary actions. Click here for details.
Listening to YOU: Service Families Accommodation
The MOD is keen to understand customer satisfaction of those living in Service Families Accommodation. An independent research company has been appointed to undertake a monthly satisfaction survey with a random sample of residents. Click here for details on the survey.
Improvements to Accommodation Make for Bonnie Homes on the Clyde
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has improved the quality of life for more than 270 military families in Scotland, delivering a multi-million pound programme of internal and external upgrades to Service Accommodation close to HM Naval Base Clyde. Click here for details.
A New Enhanced Operating Model for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has launched its new Enhanced Operating Model (EOM). This introduces: a new organisational design; a new IT system; fewer and more standardised business processes; and new ways of working that incorporate a set of guiding principles. Click here for details on the EOM.
Service Families Accommodation: Vouchers for Missed Maintenance Appointments
If an occupant of Service Families Accommodation has a verified missed appointment from MODern Housing Solutions (MHS) they are entitled to receive compensation. Compensation is in the form of a £20 voucher. Vouchers are given for missed reactive or planned maintenance visits that require internal access to the property. A voucher is awarded for each and every missed appointment. Visit the MHS website for the definition of a missed appointment.
Offers to Improve Energy Efficiency: Such as the Green Deal
Various companies advertise offers to improve the energy efficiency of your home, including Government initiatives such as the Green Deal. However, before customers in Service Family Accommodation are tempted to take advantage of these offers they should very carefully read the terms and conditions of the offer so they understand their liability and any liability placed on the property. Click here for further details.
Uniform to Work Day: 26 June
Uniform to Work Day is an opportunity for Reservists to wear uniforms to their civilian jobs, as well as Regulars and Reservists working in Defence. The day recognises the role the Reserve Forces play in both the community and the Armed Forces. The event forms part of Armed Forces Day. Personnel should see 2013DIN01-088 on the Defence Intranet for further details.
Switch Hampshire Energy Switching Scheme
Hampshire County Council is inviting residents to sign up to the new Switch Hampshire energy switching scheme.
This scheme means that residents can join forces and use their combined purchasing power to secure a better deal on their gas and electricity bills. Registration is free and residents are under no obligation to switch supplier. The more people who register, the greater the scheme’s negotiating power. Registration closes on 3 June. Click here for further details and to register.
Your Award Winning Team
We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded the Chief of Naval Personnel & Training and Second Sea Lord’s Commendation.
This prestigious award acknowledges our achievements and our commitment to support families.
We are over the moon and hope that the endorsement will strengthen our position as we continue to take families’ concerns forward to policy makers.
Photo (CROWN COPYRIGHT): Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral David Steel CBE, and Naval Secretary, Rear Admiral Woodcock OBE, with recipients of their Commendations pose on the steps of Admiralty House after the awards ceremony.
New Mental Health Support App for Service Personnel
A new iPhone app has been launched to provide Armed Forces personnel with support and information. The app, called Joining Forces, is available to personnel all over the world and provides tailored information on 11 mental health problems including anxiety, post-traumatic stress and depression, as well as highlighting where to access help. Click here for further details.
Service Families Accommodation (SFA): 2nd Offers
From 1 May 2013, in the event of the 1st offer of SFA being rejected for personal reasons, the Housing Allocations Service Centre (HASC) will now make a 2nd offer with 15 working days. Previous policy did not establish a deadline to provide a second offer.
This change should help to reduce the number of personnel awaiting a second offer. Should the second offer be further rejected for personal reasons, then the Chain of Command and the single Service Housing Colonel will urgently review the matter. For more information, personnel should see 2013DIN01-079 on the Defence Intranet, or families can contact their local HIVE Information Centre.
Armed Forces Day 2013: Saturday 29 June
Armed Forces Day gives the nation an opportunity to show its support for the brave men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, veterans and cadets. The national event will be held in Nottingham, but there are many more events being held up and down the country. Click here to find out what's going on in your area. Show your support by claiming your free Armed Forces Day sticker.
First Funding Allocated from Community Covenant Grant Scheme
A Scouts and Guides building in North Yorkshire is one of the first six successful bids for funding to come from the scheme. Click here for details.
Launch of the Royal Navy People Portal on the Defence Intranet
A new People Portal has been created on the Defence Intranet. It aims to provide personnel with a single point of access to all relevant information on pay, people and terms and conditions of service. The Defence Intranet is available to serving personnel only. Click here to read a message from the Chief of Naval Personnel & Training and Second Sea Lord on the new facility.
The Proposed New Childcare Voucher Scheme and How it May Affect You
The Government is proposing a new childcare voucher scheme. It is receiving a lot of positive press but if only one parent is working, you will not qualify. Our counterparts in the RAF Families Federation have written a helpful article that compares the current scheme with the proposed new scheme. Click here for details.
The Partner Employment Project
A two year project on partner employment (married/unmarried) has launched. Click here for details.
SSAFA Forces Help Changes Its Name
The Armed Forces Charity SSAFA Forces Help has changed its name to SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) as part of a rebrand aimed at improving awareness. Click here for details.
The British Forces Post Office Gets ’Appy
Have you ever wondered where your letter or parcel was? The BFPO Track & Trace Smartphone App could provide the answer. Click here for details.
First Sea Lord’s Intent
Click here to read a message from the new First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas KCB DSC FRAeS ADC. The message outlines his vision for the Naval Service in the future as it develops to achieve its strategic aims.
Local Assistance for those in Service Families Accommodation
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and MODern Housing Solutions (MHS) recognise the need to provide a means for Service families to talk face-to-face with DIO and MHS staff locally about their Service Families Accommodation issues. Following successful trials, Customer Assistance Points are being established in key locations around the country. Click here for details.
The New Operating Model for Defence
The launch of the new Operating Model for Defence has been announced (2 April 2013). This is the biggest milestone for Defence Reform and a major step in the Transformation agenda.
The new Operating Model will achieve a more efficient and effective way to operate Defence, ensure sustained delivery of an affordable Defence programme, and will ensure Future Force 2020 is deliverable. Personnel can read about the New Operating Model on the Defence Intranet, and should see the Defence Internal Brief 2013DIB/24 on the Intranet for further details. Click here to read a letter from the Permanent Secretary and Chief of the Defence Staff on the development.
Joint Forces Command Becomes Fully Operational
Joint Forces Command has achieved Full Operating Capability (2 April 2013). This is a key part of the new Defence Operating Model. Click here for details.
 NFF Awarded Funding from LIBOR Fines
The NFF is delighted to announce that we have been awarded £343,500 by the Government, from the fines levied on banks for attempting to manipulate the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) benchmark.
We will use the funds to reach further afield and engage with families living in their own homes all around the country. We also intend to highlight the work of the Armed Forces Covenant at a local level by engaging with local authorities, NHS trusts and school governors. We will keep you informed of the progress made in subsequent editions.
Several other very worthwhile causes and charities that support the Armed Forces community have been allocated funding from the bank fines. Click here to read the full article on the HM Treasury website.
Further applications to the LIBOR Fund in support of the Armed Forces are invited. Click here for details.
Publication of the Service Complaints Commissioner’s Fifth Annual Report
The fifth annual report by the independent Service Complaints Commissioner on the fairness, effectiveness and efficiency of the Service complaints process has been published (21 March 2013). Click here for details.
Defence Select Committee Education Surveys
The NFF realised that a number of people were unaware of the Education Surveys organised by the National Audit Office on behalf of the Defence Select Committee. We have gathered up some really good overseas input, and submitted it directly to the Committee, which means that they have been able to have their say. It will be useful for the Committee to have the perspective of a wider range of people; thank you for taking the time to send in your comments.
UPDATED: Budget 2013: Armed Forces to Receive 1.5% Pay Rise
The Chancellor, George Osborne, has announced in his Budget speech that Service personnel are to be exempt from the 1% cap on public sector pay, in recognition of what they do.
A 1% pay rise was announced on 14 March in the Armed Forces Pay Award, when the Government accepted all of the Armed Forces Pay Review Body’s (AFPRB) recommendations, with the exception of the proposal on X-Factor, where consideration was deferred. The Government has now (20 March) accepted the AFPRB’s recommendation that the level of X-factor be increased by 0.5%. The Chancellor also announced that takings from fines imposed over the LIBOR banking scandal will be invested in the Armed Forces. Click here for details.
Click here to read a message from Second Sea Lord on the subject.
Armed Forces Pay Award 2013
The 2013 report of the Armed Forces’ Pay Review Body, which makes recommendations on the pay and charges of 1-Star officers and below, has been published (14 March 2013). The Government has accepted the recommendations in full, except for the recommendation on X-Factor where consideration is being deferred. Personnel will see the impacts of the award, where relevant, in their April 2013 pay statements. Click here to see the full list of recommendations.
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