Benefits – There are extensive benefits offered upon joining the British Army. From adventure training all around the world which is subsidised or even free depending on what and where it is. You may participate in sporting events, representing the Army, anywhere in the world which is also paid for.
The training is second to none. Higher learning at lower rates or education learning grants through the army are in place to add to any qualifications you may already have.
Every Army camp has a gym which is open all day to use whenever you have time to go.
Medical and Dental care which has some of the best doctors and nurses in the world is also free no matter where you are. No matter what you are looking to do, there is always something in the army you can find to take advantage of.
Retirement Age – The retirement age for an Officer is sixty, when you are entitled to your full pension. The amount varies on time served and rank attained. Although many retired officers are employed by the Army after their commission has expired as recruiting officers or security advisors.
Pension Details - After 2 years service, you are eligible for a preserved pension, which you can apply for when you reach 60. After 22 years of service you will receive an immediate pension, a resettlement grant, if required and a very generous lump sum.
Sick Pay – Upon becoming sick during your service, whether it be confined to barracks, or at your home address you are entitled to full pay but for a maximum of 9 months, depending on the seriousness of the sickness.
Maternity Leave – If you happen to fall pregnant in the army you will be entitled to maternity leave and other benefits. The same applies for paternity leave.
Length of Service - The minimum commitment depends on your age. For those enlisting under the age of eighteen, you will enlist to serve in the Army until the day before your twenty second birthday. You then have the option of leaving the Army at any time after serving twenty eight days and before completing six months. The application to be discharged must be made in writing. For those over the age of eighteen the commitment is for four years and three months. An application must also be made in writing for a discharge.
Postings – The British Army has postings all over the world. They are currently serving in fifty six different countries, so you should expect to go to one of them at least. The main regiments are in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Germany and Cyprus. However a tour could take you any where on the globe. Deployments vary in strength from single military advisors to full operational deployments. Recent conflicts include Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland. British forces also contribute to the presence of NATO.
The Army also delivers aid (water, food, shelter) to countries that need it, as a result of a disaster such as a flood or famine. They also play an educational role by giving talks to schools and colleges and putting on displays at various events.
Shift Patterns – The Army does not necessarily have shift patterns but if you are on duty for whatever reasons you will be expected to work unsociable hours, particularly when on tour.
Contracted Hours – In the army you’re contracted to twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, and three hundred and fifty two days a year. You get paid for that time and your time is the army’s time.
Access to Training and Education – Most camps in the army have learning centers where you can find information on further or higher education including university degrees, and national vocational qualifications. Grants are available to cover the cost of any course fees involved. The army is a training environment and you never stop learning.
Conditions of the police service
There are many conditions in which police will have to work. When on the beat with or without a car they must work in all whether conditions while still working effectively. It is always unknown what a police officer may have to face.
Salary – When you join the police force you will under-go your initial training. After passing your training and a two year probation your pay will increase, as it will do when you get promoted. Their salary varies due to the division they are in. It also depends on what rank and position they hold. On average a police officer receives an annual rate of £20,000 with an annual pay rise. Unfortunately the government has recently cut their yearly percentage increase. Every police officer is expected to work at least eight hour shifts to an average of 40 hours per week.
Police pay and entitlements also depend on their length of service. The table below sows the annual pay for a police officer service.
Sergeants earn between £33,810 and £37,998 per annum
Inspectors earn between £43,320 and £46,989 per annum
Chief Inspectors earn between £47,949 and £49,923 per annum.
Holidays - A Police officer receives a maximum of 22 days holiday leave on commencement of service. This increases with each year of service. They also receive full pay for 6 months during sick leave or maternity leave. All ranks are entitled to periods of annual leave on full pay. In your first five years of service, including your probationary period, you will receive 22 days annual leave per year, which will increase the longer you are in service.
Part-time officers are entitled to the same number of days annual leave as full-time officers with the same amount of service, but the time credited will be on a pro rata basis.
Benefits – Your uniform and equipment are given to you by the police force so you do not need to buy it yourself. When you leave the force you will have to hand in back in however. On appointment, a constable becomes a member of the Police Federation. Police officers may not join a Trade Union. The police force offers a wide range of advice about health care once you have joined and some constabularies offer allowances on top of the normal gross salary.
Retirement Age - Constables and sergeants normally retire after 30 years service, or on reaching the age of 55. The chief officer has discretion to extend the compulsory retirement age by up to five years. The compulsory retirement age differs for higher ranks. Officers may also retire with immediate pension if they have over 25 years of service and are above the age of 50.
Pension – The police force has a pension scheme which offers generous benefits, with the option of transferring previous pensions to their scheme. National Insurance contributions are paid lower than the normal rate also.
Sick Pay – The police force offer full pay during the first six months of any absence due to sickness or injury with entitlement to half pay for a further six months.
Maternity Leave – Women officers are entitled to maternity leave which can be for the whole or part of the period between six months before and nine months after the expected date of birth. However they are only paid for three months paid maternity leave, if they have served continuously for a year or more by the start of the 11th week before the expected birth date and are still pregnant or have given birth 15 weeks before the expected birth date. Their spouse is also entitled to up to six weeks paternity leave. All officers have the right to return to work following maternity leave. The police service is committed to enabling and supporting individuals who request work on a reduced hours basis, either part-time or job sharing. The opportunity to return to part-time or job share work may also be available therefore. Officers are entitled to 2 weeks maternity support leave, the first of which will be on full pay, if they are the child’s father or the partner, or the nominated carer of an expectant mother at the time of birth. Officers who have 26 weeks continuous service at the 14th week before the expected week of confinement will be entitled to be paid for the second week at statutory paternity pay rate.
Police officers who have completed their probationary period may apply for a career break up to a maximum of five years to enable them to carry out, for example, caring responsibilities.
Length of Service – There is no minimum length of service although you do have to give one month’s resignation. The maximum length of service before reaching the rank of Inspector is either forty-two years or upon reaching the age of sixty.
Postings – Constables have to work where in the area where the force they have joined is. No preferential treatment is given to anyone so they can be closer to home.
Shift Patterns and Hours - The normal working week is 40 hours on a shift basis. Shift patterns vary between forces. All ranks below superintendent are entitled to two rest days a week and compensation if required to work over those two days. They are also entitled to leave or compensation in lieu of public holidays. The police force also allows part time working.
As a general rule, the same terms and conditions should apply to part-time officers as they apply to full-time officers, where appropriate on a pro rata basis. You can apply to join the police service as a part-time officer but whilst on probation you must work an average of at least 24 hours a week (1,248 hours a year). Initial training must be completed on a full-time basis. Officers working part-time will not be exempt from working shifts – including night duties.
The annual salary of a part-time (or job sharing) probationer, constable or sergeant is that of a full-time officer calculated on a pro rata basis.
Access To Training and Further Education – The Police Force offers information once you have joined on training and further education.
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Including advanced driving techniques!
Bibliography
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http://www.army.mod.uk/join/join.aspx