LOA
Intersting point about LOA - but as it has been cut by 31.8% since 1 Dec, there's not much left to target. But I agree with the sentiment about the old and bold who have hung on in Germany. I know one Sqn Ldr who's been here 15 years!
Why the rank differential? I don't know what the JSP says but twice as SBO on recent postings I have had to dig deep to help fund 'British' events, especially since RAA is a thing of the past.
Tax free fuel? That's because of the SOFA and why, inter alia, we don't pay local taxes. The system is funded by a levy on the sales of coupons. However much of BFG should be got rid of asap - the rules fail to acknowledge EU common borders, for example.