Digital tool: Overseas allowance planning now easier

Check out the Overseas Allowances Reckoner (OAR), to get a fast, personalised estimate of what you’ll receive – if you’re in the Armed Forces and preparing for a posting abroad.

Click on the link below to find out more -

New digital tool - Overseas allowance planning now easier

Tips to help navigate this blog

The blog is best viewed on a personal device because the MODnet firewall blocks access to some links.

Top header: 

• Links to HIVE's UK blog and its social media platforms

• Link to a map providing contact details for all Army HIVEs within the UK and Overseas

• Overseas Location Guides include both local guides produced by our Overseas HIVEs about their location, and guides about the vast majority of other overseas locations that UK Tri-Service personnel may be posted to

• Most recent posts will always take you back to the homepage of the blog

Left hand side column:

• Search engine - search for anything on the site. 
• If you want to look at posts uploaded by a specific Overseas HIVE, use the following search phrase in inverted commas: 'information provided by x HIVE' eg 'information provided by SHAPE HIVE'
• And if you only want posts about eg Brussels that SHAPE HIVE has uploaded, try: 'information provided by SHAPE HIVE' and Brussels. 

• Sign up to receive regular email updates: you can select as many of the Army HIVEs as you wish, both those Overseas and in the UK

• Find information by country using the hyperlinked labels

• Blog archive: search for information by year and month

Central column: all the posts in date order from the most recent first.

Right hand side column:

• Link to enquiry form: use it to ask HIVE for further information. An email address or mobile phone number is required

• Find information by subject using the hyperlinked labels

• Points of contact: each of the Overseas HIVEs has a mailbox if you want to contact them directly with your enquiry. If your overseas location doesn't have a physical HIVE information centre then please send your query to our International HIVE (iHIVE) mailbox.

RAF Job Opportunities for Rejoiners and Inter-Service Transferees.

RAF Recruitment | Rejoiners | Royal Air Force

Recruit for Spouses: Op SPOUSE and how RFS supports you.

What is Op SPOUSE?

RFS gives the following overview:

“A nationwide initiative to strengthen Defence retention, readiness and resilience.

“Family dissatisfaction is the leading driver in the Armed Forces retention challenge – and supporting spouses more effectively is critical to improving outcomes across Defence.

“Op SPOUSE is the solution – it equips military spouses with the tools, opportunities, and support they need to thrive, helping to sustain family stability and long-term commitment to Service life.

“Delivered by RFS – the UK’s leading military families charity – this scalable initiative enhances existing MOD commitments to support Service families, and strengthens Defence outcomes by improving retention, readiness and cost-efficiency.”

Find out more at: https://www.recruitforspouses.co.uk/op-spouse

To find out more about the support available from Recruit for Spouses, please view/download the 'How RFS Supports You' brochure.

Scotland: Pinnacle Housing Officer.

Find the contact details of your Housing officer here 👉 Your Housing Officer - Pinnacle Service Families

Alternatively you can ring 0800 031 8628 and choose option 4 to get the information over the phone.

Scotland: Confused about where to access the healthcare you need?

By getting the Right Care in the Right Place, we can all keep well and get the help we need quickly, safely, and as close to home as possible.

💻NHS INFORM - check symptoms and find health advice to help you stay well.

📲 NHS 24 ONLINE APP - use the chatbot to check your symptoms and find nearest services.

💊 PHARMACIST - help and advice with minor ailments and prescription medication.

🧠 MENTAL WELLBEING - online and telephone resources to help with mental health.

👁 OPTOMETRIST - help with eye problems including sticky eyes or reduced vision.

🦷 DENTIST - help with injuries or pain in the mouth and teeth.

🩺 GP PRACTICE - a range of clinicians including doctors and nurses to help with both physical and mental health issues.

🩹 MINOR INJURIES - help with injuries that are not life or limb threatening, including cuts, minor burns, sprains, or suspected broken bones or fractures.

📞 111 - NHS 24 - advice when other services, such as GP or pharmacy, are closed and you are too ill to wait until they reopen.

🚑 999 OR A&E - for emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, severe breathing difficulties, or severe bleeding.

Army HIVE Non-UK National Support: Email Address for Enquiries.

Click to enlarge.

Army HIVE has an email address specifically for Non-UK National enquiries. This is available to Service personnel, their families, and line managers/CoC requiring support:

RC-Pers-HIVE-NonUKNat-0mailbox@mod.gov.uk

Royal Navy Sailing Association FREE sailing courses.

Please note that these courses are only available to serving RN, RM and RFA families. To find out more please go to: https://rnsayouthcrew.org.uk/

Brunssum: Lego brick freestyle @ The Hub 1st Saturday of the month

 

Information provided by Brunssum HIVE.

BELGIUM: 32 Walloon Castles open their doors for FREE this May 1st.

What a way to start the month of May with 32 Walloon Castles open for FREE this 1st May!

Bring the kids along to learn, play and explore these beautiful castles. There will be guided tours, treasure hunts, educational games, historical scenes and play areas to enjoy.

Or simply pop along and explore some Belgian history and numerous architecture styles at your leisure.

WHEN: Friday 1st May 2026

WHERE: Across Wallonia 

HOW MUCH: FREE

MORE INFORMATION: here

Information provided by SHAPE HIVE