Did 19 yrs, turned down PA.
I now run my own business and although it's early days, very promising because, as
helpmaboab says,
when you see the civvy competition you will soon realise you are worlds apart.
Once I started actively looking for business I had four customers within 2 days. Three customers came within the first two hrs! Two of those customers want to forge longer term alliances with me, feeding each other clients. I've also met people that shouldn't be able to tie their own shoelaces, let alone run a successful business.
The service gives you the edge, discipline and motivation. People I meet are really quite surprised at my willingness to start work before 9 and finish well after 5! (I'm sure my former RAF colleagues would also raise an eyebrow!).
I think it's folly to play the 'lack of loyalty' card. I spent yesterday evening sat on a marina jetty fishing with a 45 yr old civvie who retired after selling his company. He has a great lifestyle and can devote plenty of time to his wife & family.
Show me a 'loyal' RAF aviator (or groundcrew) who can say that. Show me the same guy at 55 who retires, looks back and thinks his time in Afghanistan/Iraq was well spent - my next door neighbour did National Service in Basra in the 50s ...
I say serve your time and move on when
you feel ready. The country is already 'in a state' - don't fool yourselves into thinking that
you, the individual will make a difference (there's always another
you waiting in the wings).
ps. The pension is not that good.