RSB,. .. . </font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"> . .An interesting thread, LambJ, and you are right to point out that nothing is secure, however, PFI is going to be the way ahead (for anything off the battlefield that is). . .. . </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">In the Armed Forces there is no such thing as "anything off the front line", we can ALL be called upon in times of National crises/war to go to the front line, regardless of a/c type or trade. How many adminers or chefs thinking they were in a safe job have ended up in dodgy places over the last few years?. .. .All these cut backs in order to save money and free up personnel is just asking for BIG trouble in the future. How about a proper plan to retain and recruit across the board, rather than just targeting a few of the aircrew. The forces are desperately short of personnel across the board, and we are taking on more roles with fewer people. No wonder so many of us are leaving either prematurely or at our options points! . .. .Lets stop false economy by cutting squadrons or civilianising posts. A civilian can always refuse to go somewhere nasty, a serviceman can't. We are rapidly heading towards the day when the only people left in uniform will be the aircrew. How good will they be in a war zone if they have no backup personnel to service the aircraft, etc?. .. .I have seen the Royal Air Force, of which I was once very proud, decline into such a pile of $hite over the years with morale plummeting in many areas.. .. .Role on my options point and pension.. .. .Mad Mark!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Mad]" src="mad.gif" />