Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
The pay and benefits weren't enough to keep me in back in the 1980s. And don't let anyone tell you that the Armed Forces Pension Scheme is second to none, either. It isn't.
It's sad to have to say this but nothing will change until the forces have an association/union with negotiating power and teeth. But that goes against the grain, doesn't it? It did for me.
Sorry, folks, but the politicians don't value you as much as they should. Your only recourse is to take what you have learned, build on it and then walk out of the door.