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R and R

Rest & Recuperation (R & R)

Serving personnel deploying for six months will normally be eligible to 14 days R&R. This cannot be taken until they have been deployed for a couple of weeks and a couple of weeks before the end of the tour. Depending on the situation this may be taken either in theatre or back in the home base. Serving personnel will be asked for their preferred dates for R&R, and these will be accommodated where possible, subject to availability of seats on flights and other operational factors.

Remember that your partner is away on operations where uncertainty and change are normal – R&R dates are subject to change at short notice. Be prepared for dates to change and stay flexible. That way you will not be too disappointed.

Having to rapidly readjust to home life only to have to say goodbye again a few days later can be stressful. Here are some tips to consider:

Family:

• Remember that the 14 days R&R includes travel time – expect your partner to be home for about 12 days.

• Try to chill out, relax, and just enjoy some quiet time as a family.

• If you book a holiday during R&R you must have adequate travel insurance in the event that the R&R dates change at short notice.

• Don’t make plans to do a whistle-stop tour of all the relations – your partner may just want to do nothing.

• Keep R&R plans flexible – just do what you feel like whilst your loved one is home.

• Remember if you do plan on going away with the children during term time you should ask permission from the head teacher but at the very least, do let the school know how long they will be away. The school has discretion and may refuse permission but most are sympathetic to Service needs if cited as ‘special reasons’. Additional advice should be sought from Children’s Education Advisory Service (CEAS).

Serving Personnel:

• Don’t overdo things, or try and cram too many activities into the available time.

• Try to respect the routine that your family have in place – don’t try to take control of the house!

• The best gift that you could bring home is to spend quality time with your family and friends.

• REMEMBER: When you return to theatre, even after only 2 weeks, you may need to re-acclimatise to the local climate.

• Your loved one has managed without you, praise them and recognise what they have achieved.

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