TN,
For clarity, my point was that FTRS is not the panacea to the MoD's directive to reduce its numbers and then try and balance the books by re-employing the same people on different (cheaper) contracts, either as a Reserve or FTRS.
Not to get lost in the noise is the key point that it is the experience that is/will be missed, not necessarily the pure numbers count.
If FTRS, in any shape or form, manages to mitigate that experience deficit then I personally am for it, but the policy may have a potential long term affect on those left behind and they either become a VO statistic or lose all sense of ethos, loyalty and pride and view it as a job.
The moment one views the Armed Forces as just another job then I fear that there will be trouble ahead, especially if the future situation looks to get worse than better for Service Personnel. If not more with less, it looks as though we will be doing the same, but with less.