OPTIONS TO STAY

RE-TRADING/TRANSFERS

The Armed Forces offer a career and not just a job. If you are seeking a new challenge then you may be eligible to transfer to another trade internally or to another Service.

Changing trade means that you can continue your career within the Armed Forces with the security that it offers. Promotion speeds can vary widely between trades within a Service so think carefully about transferring as you could end up not only with free training but also a better chance of promotion at the end of it.

The Armed Forces are expending considerable effort to encourage service personnel to continue their careers for as long as possible. One of the strands of this work is to encourage service personnel to transfer rather than leave. The Internal Transfer process is more efficient than it used to be. Service personnel must apply for a transfer through their chain of command (units may not delay the application form). However, the actual transfer may be formally delayed in exceptional circumstances such as when the unit has been formally warned for an Operational Tour when they may request a delay to the date of transfer until after completion of the Operational Tour.

Service personnel also have the right to apply to transfer to other services. Although classified as transfers they are actually discharged from their own service before joining the other service (this is not recorded as a break in service for pay purposes). Details of opportunities with the other Services can be found by clicking on the links below:

If you would like to transfer, or just find out more about the opportunities available, speak to your Line Manager who should advise you and help you with your application. You will then be interviewed by your Commanding Officer/Officer Commanding and subsequently by a representative from the trade to which you would like to transfer. If required, he/she will be able to advise you directly about the trade, any special entry requirements and the training. After the interview the application form will be sent to your single service Draft/Manning Officer who will action the application.