EOTB
'...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.'
Totally agree - I am not an aircrew groupie by any stretch of the imagination, but it makes me weep to see all that investment walking out of the Service. As a taxpayer I want the maximum return of service from everyone - letting people leave without trying to motivate them to stay is just barking.
Got offered a job yesterday out of the blue. Without any negotiation £12k a year more than I am on now, with pension to top it up to something comfortable, stable family life and good golf all around. This is the second time that the civilian world has taken an interest in where I am going to be in a couple of years - shame the RAF is unable to do the same thing! Wrong timing for me, but made me smile!