davejb,
While I don't disagree with the general theme of your comment, I should point out that when you say..
"their "career", which appeared to be rock solid this time last year, actually has about 3 months to run..." you are in fact incorrect.
Nobody with an established career wil be leaving the RAF before Mar 2012 (volunteer) or Sep 2012 (compulsary). While it is less than ideal, volunteers will get 6 months to sort their life out upon notification, and those made compulsary redundant (will there be enough volunteers?) will get 12 months.
Maybe not brilliant, but not too shabby either.
Those chopped from flying training as a result of the SDSR willnot be as fortunate I suspect!