As a civvy I'm rather puzzled by the comments about the FAA not being able to man its squadrons. Surely, if the FAA felt it had a fixed wing future it would be able to recruit and retain pilots? Obviously this may change if Brown makes his expected announcement "soon", but even then flying Lightnings from CVF's will still be a decade away. In the meantime the RN is reduced to hosting USMC Harriers- who in their right mind will join or stay in a service that frankly, hasn't got a future?
In short- don't blame the RN for the state of the "joint force".
Otoh, if you join now you may rise like a current as the cake is baked....
