Does anyone know if [RAF] SIs can claim travel expenses, and if so - from whom and how?
I’ve seen vague reference to allowances in ACP20 (in terms of a statement that non-RAF SIs might not be able to claim) but I’ve no real idea of how it all works.
Do they just chuck a 1771 to wing like the rest of us?
I thought they did it through their RAF unit - but I’ve never had one, so no imperative to check, however having just gained an Army reserve SI I’d be interested if anyone has a definitive answer!
MattB, you have brought up my favourite SI topic! I will try and keep this short.
So firstly it depends which SI you are talking about, RAF - Yes, Army - Varies, RN - Dream on, Reserve - You can try.
RAF have a GAI1026 that states “RAF Personnel will be considered to be on duty and may claim travel at public expense, the cost however must be borne by the individual’s Parent Station, and therefore prior approval should be sought. The duty can be carried out at the Parent Station or at a local ATC Sqn location, either near to the Parent Station or his/her home where these locations are different. However travel expenses will only be allowed on a “home to duty” basis and will not reimburse transit travel from the Parent Station to home, to attend an ACO (ATC or CCF) unit local to their home.”
This provides no support for the other services as it is not mentioned in JSP752 Tri-Service Regulations for Expenses and Allowances. I do know that some Army SI have managed to get a local agreement to enable them to make the claim along the lines of the RAF. I have yet to have any success with the RN. I have gone all the way up the chain when it comes to Expenses and Allowances. For the Reserves it is very much unit dependant, I know it can be done and for RAFR should be done but with the way R unit budgets work it cannot often be supported.
I will further add that I have now pushed up the CoC within the ACO and have proposed a number of solutions. One being having the content of the GAI subsumed into JSP 752. Will see what happens, but I will not hold my breath!