It it true that RFA pay is lower than the equivalent RN pay, but so are the working routines...4 months on then 2 and a half off. So this goes some way to explaining it.
As far as the military salary goes, take X-factor and uniform upkeep allowance off and you soon find we are not paid that well compared to civilians with equal responsibility, particularly for the long hours, time away etc. X-factor is there to compensate for the unusual conditions particular to service in the armed forces, not for time away where LSSA, LSSB come in.
There is NO valid reason why, if the RFA get there tax back after 6 months away in any rolling year ('away' can mean outside the 12 mile limit at midnight, hence the auxiliaries like to be out during the week, even when on FOST tanker duties, for example).
As has already been stated on this forum, most of our perks have gone and in return we are working harder than ever with more time away from the families. Swiss Tony and Incapability Brown - how about a break after Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Iraq, Fresco (up and coming civil service strikes).