"That was tongue in cheek, right?
I have worked at ABW. Come 1630, you couldn't find a CS anywhere in the place - they were all out the door like a shot. The Mil there stayed until their work for that day was done. Hence it took the CS 3 times as long to get anything done as the Mil.
If MoD CS disappeared overnight, we'd still be able to function - and we'd be able to get things done a damn sight quicker too."
Yes it was tongue in cheek.
Why shouldnt CS leave at 1630hrs? This is the key difference in the mentality - forces are paid daily (soon to be monthly for JPA) so hours worked are irrelevant - you're paid 24/7 irregardless of being in the field or on leave and weekends. CS are paid to work usually 37 hours a week, and from the average CS's perspective why should they work longer? They won't be paid for it, it won't be appreciated it by anyone, and in mixed offices, it won't stop cheap jibes at the CS by the military. Its perfectly normal in most real world offices outside the military to finish work by 1630 - 1800hrs, depending on when you got there.
(Before you ask though, I do work late, as do many CS in busy environments - its a shame then that we have to get our meetings with the forces held by Thu PM, after all we'd hate to interfere with the sacred business of going home at lunchtime for weekend leave.)