Hi guys
Pls be careful not to get the wrong end of the stick when comparing your pay to Military salaries.
1. Working to 55 is not guaranteed. In the RN you are more likely to get booted out at 50 (Only a Captain RN works to 55, and that's a rank few of us will gain; and yes, you can work to 55 if you're FTC(A) but how many of us are on that career stream?! Not many!) and as such get a much reduced pension because you haven't achieved the return of service required for a full pension.
2. £100K retention payment (Before immediate 40% TAX, 5 year bond to the service ): Applies to Pilots (£50K) - not observers or navigators, and Sqn Ldr / Lt Cdr rank (£50K). I know many who are eligible for this payment but are turning it down in favour of a better balance of pay / job satisfaction / family time. Many who will get the 100K bonus are staying in anyway (as is often the case with these payments..they're targetted indiscriminately)
3. Many getting out are experienced, and have at least 2000 hrs of solid NVG / night / poor weather / under fire / SAR / deck ops type experience. The 2000 hrs is the golden figure, because it means we have to do a lot less exams to get a CAA Licence.
4. Don't underestimate the Iraq / Afghan factor...these theatres (and the fact that we will be there for years to come) are having a big effect on morale.
The strain on people in the forces (like NHS / education) is huge...police / north sea / SAR in scotland employment is appealing in comparison.