F*** me whenurhappy, that is an excellent post.
Why, thanks. I should have added, perhaps most importantly, how I really, really enjoyed being on operations (please, please don't tell Mrs WP!). Bosnia, Kosovo, KSA & Kuwait, Aghanistan, plus edgy trips to Africa, Asia and South America.
The chance to make decisions on one's own (without upwards and sideways referrals), the daily challenges which demand that one make the 'best guess' or, perhaps the 70% solution; seeing people - indeed, whole populations that are much, much worse off that any of us could really fathom, seeing air-power delivered in all it's glory, seeing the best (and worse) of Joint action, seeing guys and girls putting 110% in without any 'encouragement' and finally, doing the job for real.
Few 'civvy' jobs could have delivered such a rich tapestry of experiences. Just restore the London allowances and a decent GYH for those INVOLSEP.