I have said on other threads that I had no choice but to leave at age 47, I also saw the way things were going and realised that it was for the best. The only things I will say about civvie street is firstly jobs/wages, this can be a post code lottery particulary Lincolnshire as the 'industry' here believe that all ex-service guys are brilliant (true) and have a pension (not allways) so you only need to pay them £12-14,000, around here a local HGV driver can earn £17,000 and a night security guard £18,500.
With regards to ex-servicemen, there are those who actually cheese of their employers and fellow workmates when they are asked to work overtime, one response has been 'I don't need the money as I am only doing this job to top up my pension and to stop me being bored', this was the in food industry and the railways.
With regards to the current comments about the management of the RAF, you do realise that a lot of these 'managers' when they are out and are part of the civvie business management, work in the same manner as they did while in. There are also those who use the 'secondary duties' scheme rather than employ more people. There are civilian managers as well that have no idea either and I think some feel threatened by the ex-service community, but at least they don't hold you back for it and in the main they will listen to your views and in a lot of cases accept your ideas.
The main benefits of being out are the ability to be with your family and seeing the kids develop, something I missed over my 29 years, another is knowing that you earn your promotion without having to kiss a**se or lose/delay your chance because of a personality clash with your management, having your holidays as and when you want and if overtime is required you get paid for it.
Last edited by Exrigger; 3rd June 2007 at 10:50.
Reason: Minor corrections