What has been said on here so far is correct. Mil blue book still has no credence outside the mil so when you leave you will either have to join NATS and start again from the beginning with their training or pay for yourself to go through one of the outside providers. Both routes have been taken by numerous ex mil colleagues. However, neither are guaranteed. NATS arent always recruiting and people sometimes dont pass - despite being well qualified in mil ATC world. As someone has already said, the 2 styles of controlling can be quite different. Others who have paid for their own training (with help of gratuities on leaving) have passed their course but yet to find a job. In the RAF you are DEFINTELY a service person first and foremost and a controller just happens to be a skill you have learnt. But you will be expected to do any jobs that come your way - and depending on your rank this wont always be a controlling role! Detachments may not be in a controlling role either although it often is as its a skill not to be wasted in another job. If you want to join then recruitment IS open in the RAF - more so for direct entrant SNCO than officer but both are possible. Decide if you want to be in the military OR want to be a controller more and that will be the decision point! If you want to control then suggest you control - in the military you dont always get to do it!