I joined the RAF in 1970 as an airframe mechanic just after my 17th birthday because I wanted to be involved with aircraft & travel the world.
After nearly 10 years I decided I hadn't seen enough of the world so went to the middle east for the next 12.
I then took a US FAA A & P license followed by UK CAA A & C which I eventually converted into an EASA B1.
Most of my career post the middle east was as a licenced contractor....good money & plenty of travel.
Thanks to my job I met my wife of 30 years and I've got absolutely no regrets but I am thankful that I retired just before Covid reared its ugly head!
Also I am still good friends with some of the guys I first knew in the early 1970's.