In an average year, the UASs recruit about 300 new members. For the last couple of years, they have produced about 90 pilots into IOT (after EFT) and about 70 potential officers for other branches, a total of 160, so over half the number coming in. In addition, they now train 36 direct entrant pilots a year, and next year they will also take on the 55 a year trained so far by JEFTS, plus the overseas students.
Whether this represents value for money has been studied continuously, probably since Trenchard started it all in 1925. The Defence Costs Study (DCS), Defence Training Review (DTR) and a recent National Audit Office study all confirmed that it is a good way to do business. A very new TGDA study, yet to be published, is likely to say the same. Historically, more ex-UAS students than direct entrants made it through to the fast jet front line, but some levelling of the playing field makes this less evident now.
While "spreading air-mindedness" was the primary aim in 1925, it has slipped to 4th place in the formal list of objectives for UASs, but it is arguably more important than ever, now that so few of the population have any military experience. The RN and Army university units do even less Service recruiting than UASs, but are still seen as being worthwhile.
The flying and drinking clubs are, like it or not, a thing of the past (though there's still fun to be had out there). So now it's a personal choice of the best route to your dream cockpit. Some will do better through the UAS, others not.
