I did much the same thing - accepted assimlation as Spec Aircrew, then, a couple of years later when my personal circumstances had changed and things were looking up outside, applied to leave through the two redundancy deals of the mid-'90s. Didn't get accepted for that, so I PVR'd.
My Desk O looked after me very well; 9 months from PVR to out, flying throughout. I lost a bit of pension, but I gained flying employment to age 65, hugely more money, infinitely greater stability for my family, and no secondary duties etc. The whole deal was hugely in my favour, and I could hardly complain about the RAF's treatment of me when I was the one who 'broke the contract'.
The terms aren't new and shouldn't be a surprise; it's up to you to decide if it's worth it when you take the whole thing into account.