Well, I PVRed at 29 a couple of years ago having been offered promotion and sending back the "regrettably I feel unable to accept" reply to the blue letter. I don't regret it for a minute; my life is immeasurably better now than it would have been in the RAF and, by the sounds of it, PVR is an even more compelling choice now than it was a couple of years ago.
What struck me when I jacked it in though was how disinterested PMA was in addressing some issues I had with staying in. In all likelihood I'd have left anyway but there was no effort made whatsoever to discuss alternatives to the distant tour I'd been offered only 2 months after getting married. My lovely wife has her own career but I was told that sorting that out was my problem.
I was told of my posting which, though a great career move, didn't suit me at that point in my life. When I asked what alternatives were available, I was told it was a good offer and I should accept it. This was closely followed by an OOA in Acting Rank which must have done little to serve Air Force interests but did much to reinforce my long considered decision to leave. Months after PVRing, some geographically more attractive, flying jobs miraculously materialised but I had psychologically 'moved on' and airline jobs were looking increasingly attractive.
I completely understand why so many are choosing to move on as I did, but it still amazes me that the RAF, and perhaps the military in general, make so little effort to hang to those in whom they've invested large amounts of money.