Just spent a few days visiting 4 friends in the South East. All ex Mil and most left on PVR. Their take on this topic is that if you are 42 or older and looking to jump ship without a cast iron job offer, forget it. The market is saturated with very clever 30 somethings looking to get hired.
One mate who left at his 38 point and has clawed his way to a 6 figure salary over 10 years has diluted his Mil experience to 3 lines on his CV. Why? Because the majority of his employers were not really that interested.
Yes, there are jobs but you will still be at the back of a very long queue and age is critical in the private sector. To those aspiring Cathay Pacific Captains, one guy is ex Mil and a pilot. He earns 10 quid an hour teaching spotty youths to fly and picks up the odd job flying human organs around the UK. The other two are earning less than they were in the Mil and without the fringe benefits of subsidised housing and free dental etc. One bitterly regrets leaving.
If you are going to go, get out while you are young and with as many industry friendly quals as possible. Failing that, grit your teeth as something is better than nothing.
Last edited by Wyler; 9th Aug 2011 at 07:06.