KnockOnock. Having made the switch, have to say with the way things are going, you will probably regret sticking around, unless the military is still doing something for you On a personal level.
Its an an uphill slog once you decide to take the plunge-you get little allowance these days for military flying and the lowest point for me was revising for 7 ground school exams whilst busy at work and with a 6 month old at home. It’s not easy.
What did did I get in return? Employment with a company that treats my skills as a profession, rather than seeing it as “what we do” (unlike military doctors, dentists and vicars...) . Recognition of that in pay, terms and conditions. A stable roster, an immediate significant pay rise, even as an FO joiner. Mutual respect from everone I have met - there are very few laggards I have met so far in commercial aviation. So forget those arguments at the armoury or down at PSF with some snot nosed corporal that spends more time in the gym than at their primary role. No deployments. Oh, and no risk of getting sent to Lossiemouth to fly the P8 as a 1 Group multis mate. You will get your own pension pot and with some companies, really good staff trave perks. By not taking your pension, you are in effect giving yourself an 8k-10k pay cut, assuming you have managed to hit IPP.
Depending on hours and heavy time, you may need to do time shorthaul, that may be a preference anyway - however that may work with Jet2/ EasyJet if you wish to stick Lincolnshire/Stamford way.
As as I say, if there is something you have still to achieve operationally that you will regret for a lifetime, stick around. If you want to have a late push and be up all night writing appraisals, you could go with that. MFTS once it is sorted out will provide a potential Avenue - I think they will have to do something about the pay offer to make it competitive at some stage.
there are plenty around whom have made the move. I will also PM you some details of an individual who can talk you through each step and provides assistance with the training and recruitment processes if you like. There are differences, it’s difficult dropping mil life after 16 years, particularly behaviours, but like anything, it will come with time!