Decor58, I'm a techie currently in the RAF having done more than 12 years. I would not recommend my job. In my opinion there is NO incentive to be a techie in the RAF any more.
The days of entering straight as a technician are long gone. Now you have the AMM scheme, a few months training then you're just a grease monkey doing nothing but refuelling and kicking tyres for the first 2 years on the lowest pay band. Some of the most mentally challenged, immature, lazy kids I have ever met got through the selection and training with just a 50m swimming badge from school and became AMM's. You'll won't do proper engineering for maybe 3 years? Trust me it sounds you can do better.
People with my quails and experience... Sign the aircraft documentation to certify that after fault rectification and funcs, the primary flying controls are serviceable and will not kill anyone... And in return, get paid the same as the cook who heats a pre-made chicken and mushroom pie in the oven for 20 minutes !!!
Most RAF techies I know are leaving early to work off-shore gas and oil.