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[Nickbat]

After last week's speech from Cameron, you'd think the military would enjoy full government support. Er, no, I don't think so:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/8536958/Paratroopers-hit-by-pay-cut-on-return-from-Afghanistan.html

Cameron spins more than my washing machine.     

[I_want_an_Omega]

The real irony here is that after they have gained their Wings and get parachute pay, the certification is only good for a few years (maybe 2 or 3), and they then have to get re-certified again by doing a shortened jump sequence to keep certified.

There is such a shortage of suitable RAF aircraft that this re-certification simply isn't happening. Full certification is also sometimes undertaken using chartered civvy planes. Bit of a farce IMHO.

[Shelby]

It's never good to see the military (especially the guys on the ground) being hit by pay cuts.

Having said that, with respect to the para's jump pay, I (as well many most people in my office at work (we are all ex military)) don't necessarily see the issue in the big scheme of things.

In reality, where is the demand for para's, when was the last 'significant' parachute drop ..... Arnham?

If there is no real demand for a specialisation, then were is the justification for additional pay?  I did a few specialist roles in my time, didn't get paid extra for any of them, and no I am not bitter about that, I enjoyed the work 

[Dishevelled Den]

As it was - and as it will always be.


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzLjkIKWH6c&feature=related[/media]

[Gaffers]

Actually this is a bone of contention in the Army, many beleive that unless you are doing the specialist job you get the extra money for then why should you be paid more than another soldier?  Such an arrangement could be argued in breaking the covenant on the basis of fairness.

If you are jumping/flying/being a doctor or in a position where you could be jumping/flying/being a doctor then yes you should get the money.  If you are doing the samer job as someone else who is not then you should be paid the same.

The people who wil have their jump pay removed are mostly chefs and technicians, they are not soldiers who will be jumping/flying/being a doctor.

Coincidentally, there are some Officers who are paid to be doctors who have not seen a patient in over 20 years.  I say some...actually there are a lot!  And I am not talking about small differences here either......

[I_want_an_Omega]

It's never good to see the military (especially the guys on the ground) being hit by pay cuts.

Having said that, with respect to the para's jump pay, I (as well many most people in my office at work (we are all ex military)) don't necessarily see the issue in the big scheme of things.

In reality, where is the demand for para's, when was the last 'significant' parachute drop ..... Arnham?If there is no real demand for a specialisation, then were is the justification for additional pay?  I did a few specialist roles in my time, didn't get paid extra for any of them, and no I am not bitter about that, I enjoyed the work 

I refuse to enter into this conversation.

[Shelby]

It's never good to see the military (especially the guys on the ground) being hit by pay cuts.

Having said that, with respect to the para's jump pay, I (as well many most people in my office at work (we are all ex military)) don't necessarily see the issue in the big scheme of things.

In reality, where is the demand for para's, when was the last 'significant' parachute drop ..... Arnham?If there is no real demand for a specialisation, then were is the justification for additional pay?  I did a few specialist roles in my time, didn't get paid extra for any of them, and no I am not bitter about that, I enjoyed the work 

I refuse to enter into this conversation.

Having re-read my post, it actually comes across a bit wrong  The need for the capability is undeniable.

I would of considered a better approach to have been still giving those that jump a financial incentive, but in the form of a bonus payment any jumps the actually do, obviously including those required to train and maintain the skills and status.  Then, additional payments based on any operational deployment where the specialist skill is used.

I would hazard this would save significant amounts for the government and be less of a hit on those that are actually training to maintain the capability.

Ive always thought that specialist roles should get financial recognition for using those roles.  The bigger issue in my opinion (and partly the reason why these sort of cuts don't go down well) is the blanket wage bands and how low they are overall.

[Shackeng]

The last combat para drop was in '56 at Suez.

I detest the continual 'retrospectivism' (write that down) of Government decision making. If people join the paras and trained in jumping because the contract offered a higher pay grade, on the promise and expectation of a certain pay structure, based on the skills acquired, then that pay structure should stand for the duration of that engagement.

It may well be that it is decided that paratroops are no longer required, but why should someone who signed on xxx years ago, whose mortgage, schooling costs etc, are all based on an assumed income, be suddenly deprived of a significant amount of that income, when he has no opportunity to replace it.

There are not many jobs for paras at the job centre.