ATTESTATION AND CHANGE OF ENGAGEMENT.
ATTESTATION. Army Form B271A
Army Form B271B
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CHANGE
OF ENGAGEMENT
Arriving in Tripoli and settling in to my new unit I was
approached by a very astute Orderly Room Corporal who handed me the form
below with the advice “You should sign this”.
Wary of signing anything that might extend my service for too long, he
sat me down and explained that by extending my service by one year I would
get a very worthwhile lift in my weekly pay with the added benefit that, if I
left after 9 years, there would be no obligation of reserve service. With no intention of being a career soldier
it seemed a good deal and so I signed up. A day or two later I packed my kit and crossed the road into
Gialo Barracks to join the Royal Signals unit who were wondering where I had
got to. Settled in, another bright
Corporal quickly came across with my form and said “I’ll get your medical
arranged as soon as possible”. With
that done I was put in front of the R. Sigs CO who shook my hand and told me
I was doing the right thing by making the army my career and he was happy to
recommend my change of engagement. I
don’t think he realised the implications of the change, thank goodness. Very shortly afterwards the War Office did realise the
implications and the form was withdrawn and revised to include 4 years
reserve. The new version was thrust
under my nose with orders to “sign this”.
Pre-warned about what was going to happen, my barrack room lawyer had
pointed out that the contract I had signed was legal and binding on both
sides. And so I declined the offer and
told them that I was happy with my new terms and conditions. That went down like a lead balloon. At various times during my service pressure was put on me to
sign the new deal, always politely declined.
It came to a head when I was back in civvy street. I was asked to attend the local area office
where the terms of my reserve service would be explained to me. Why not, I thought. I was at a loose end for a few days so I
might as well oblige. Welcoming me
with a handshake the resident officer explained all the implications of the
service I was going to give to my country, at which point I informed him that
I had no reserve obligations. He was
very sure that I was mistaken until I handed him a copy of my terms of
re-engagement and told him my service life was finished. Whilst he was having the fit I asked if he
would like to sanction payment of my expenses incurred in attending the
interview, particularly as I was a civilian.
I just made it out of the door before the explosion. Some who hadn’t grasped the opportunity doubted that the error
on the form hadn’t been spotted before it was issued first time. The proof lies below...... Army Form B2140
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The 9 years with No Reserve
Service get out clause.
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First
Published: 24th October 2006.
Latest Update: 15th July 2011. ____________________________________________________________________________________ |
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