Left the mob in '97 after 22 years of breaking my bo**ocks trying to do the right thing, trying to work out what the heck WAS the right thing and trying to get promotion.
In my last job I was treated like a valuable member of staff and allowed scope far above my rank in a very "you can't do that because you are only a Corporal" sort of society. I worked with aircrew who were generally much older than the norm (as were the aircraft) and [I] was treated like a grown up and my specialist skills were appreciated and well used.
I left and went into Civil Airline Operations and 18 months after leaving was Operations Manager of a small airline flying big aeroplanes. I was able and I rose to the top because those who mattered saw my skills (not least the sense of duty which I had honed in the RAF) and were able to advance me to mutual advantage. My salary doubled from when I left the service.
ANYONE who has the skill, the knowledge and the will can make it outside the services. Staying in will only stifle ambition with outdated practices and too much niff naff, trivia and too much "you need to be a higher rank to do that". I'm glad I left and I wouldn't go back for all the tea in China.
Doc C