If you wish to stay in engineering GO FOR IT........... use the RAF and screw as much out of them as you can, courses etc...go for your licence whilst being paid to do so, I didn't and regretted it. remember Bay work ddoes not count, well it did not when I left....
I spent a couple of years self studying and got there, the money is infinitaly better, you may well still feel like you get treated as a second class citizen at times BUT you do have the option to tell that person to shove it where the sun don't shine and walk
It will also increase your earning power as a contractor as well in the UK........ there are companies that are crying out for people..... Exeter rings a bell.................
With a licence and herc experience the likes of Marshalls would be interested and the pay would be a hell of a lot better with a licence........
you can self study, if needed I might be able to find you some links, but is the education centre still as dire as when I left?