I did the max - 39 years and it was absolutely brilliant. Some bad times of course but far outnumbered by the good ones. Even now though I'm still part of the Family and get invites to sqn bashes and meet up at reunions etc.
When I started we had bases everywhere but most of mine both home and abroad are gone! Steamer Point, El Adem, Nicosia, Tengah, Gutersloh - Acklington, Abingdon, Colerne, Finningley and now even possibly Lyneham!
Amazed that we (so far) always remained smiling although they chop your allowances, stop free food and accom, make you pay to come to work, buy half your own kit, sit in a NHS queue to get medical treatment etc.
Eventually the bubble will burst?