Gasfitter, my post was to confirm that when I joined up it was deemed a 'job for life at age 16' and you had effectively been signed on to age 55 at age 16, so in that respect SFFP was correct. I was asked if I wanted to sign on for 22, then at the 22 year point was asked if I still wanted to sign on to age 55 to which I agreed, but then had to leave at age 47 as I had not reached Flt Sgt rank, this despite having been asked and agreed to remain in to age 55. I accept that this 'job for life' has not been the case for some time.