FAQs
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Does the RMSN just look after Members of the RMA?
Answer
No, they look after all Royal Marines Veterans and their Families
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How many years do you have to been a Veteran to qualify for assistance?
Answer
A Veteran is anyone who has completed one day’s paid Service in the Royal Marines
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How many people are in the Royal Marines Support Network?
Answer
There are approximately 57“RM Support Officers” in the RMSN. They are all volunteers and have a strong connection to the Royal Marines either having served or through a Corps Family connection.
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Are all the Support Officers male?
Answer
No, 5% of our Support Officers are female. If a spouse or partner specifically requests a female Support Officer VSO, generally, one will be allocated to the case.
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Are all Support Officers Members of the RMA?
Answer
Yes, to conform to our stringent RMVS insurance requirements all Support Officers VSO’s are required to be Full or Associate Members of the RMA
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I suspect my spouse/partner may have some psychological issues following their operational tour(s), can the RMSN help?
Answer
Yes, whilst our case workers are not mental health clinicians (some are), Support Officers do not make diagnoses. However they have the experience and training to recognise certain indicators to assist them to signpost the Veteran Client to the appropriate agency. (There is a useful document called “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder” to be found in this Section of the Website.
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My spouse/partner is worried that if they engage with RMSN, the Support Officer will want to know everything about their past histories in the Royal Marines and perhaps before!
Answer
No, it’s not important that we know everything about their past lives in order to assist them. Our Support Officers are non-judgemental, empathetic and genuinely wish to help
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My spouse/partner sleeps poorly, they rarely have a full nights sleep and their lack of sleep is causing them to be short tempered and extremely difficult to live with – I am at my wits end – is there anything I can do?
Answer
Yes within this part of the Website is section called “Sleep Better”, this will give you a number of tips to improve your loved ones ‘sleep hygiene’. The first thing you need to ascertain is whether they; find it difficult to get to sleep or whether; they find it difficult to maintain sleep. Each of these complaints requires different techniques to address the problem. If these tips do not remedy the problem, your next port of call is your GP. They are well placed to deal with this well recognised and treatable problem. (if you wish to discuss sleep issues further, please call our welfare team on 02392 547224 for a chat)
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Since returning from a over sea's operational tour, my spouse/partner becomes angry at the least provocation. The neighbours, children, dog, or myself call do quite innocuous things that will trigger him to completely fly off the handle. What can we do?
Answer
Many people get angry, particularly after long spells in high risk environments; how they deal with anger can make a big difference to their lives. Failure to deal with anger issues can have costly consequences. Anger can damage or end friendships or relationships, cause financial or disciplinary difficulties and wreak havoc on your health by increasing your chances of developing high blood pressure, heart disease or strokes (and at a lower level causing headaches or stomach problems). Within this part of the Welfare Web Site is a section that deals with “Anger and Unhelpful Thinking”. (If after reading it you need additional assistance, ring our welfare team on 02392 547224 for a chat about this subject)
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I would like to help other Veterans and join the Royal Marines Support Network with a view to becoming a RM Support Officer myself. Where can I get more information?
Answer
There are links that give you both information and an Application Form. The RMSN only hold one RM Support Officer Course per year, however, if you wish to register an interest and whilst you are awaiting a Course Placement, you could be deployed on cases as an “Intern RM Support Officer” . Applications are welcomed from males and females (terms & conditions apply)
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How do I apply for welfare support?
Answer
You can either call our welfare team on 02393 874663 during working hours or if you can fill in our online form at any time here: https://royalmarinesassociation.org.uk/support/welfare/help/
