I wouldn't rely too much on an AP being 'clear-cut' - several years ago I had to take an issue all the way to 1 star because different levels of management interpreted the paragraphs in the AP in different ways.
RAF manning still treating people like crap it seems - if you are leaving for any reason you now don't need to be managed and can be shafted to free up a better slot for someone they are still trying to retain - glad to be out of it