I see that the RAF offers apprenticeships in many trades -- my father's old one, airframe fitter, starts at £25k and can rise to £40k if promoted to Corporal. How this compares to civvy street I don't know, certainly the RAF would need to match civvy rates if it wants to retain its experienced engineers. Having grown up in the quality MQs of t he 1940s and 50s I am shocked at the state of so much military accommodation, surely this has to deter anyone from making a career in the RAF or any Service come to that. Maybe not just the engineers are undervalued.