Back in my day the point was cheap beer, camaraderie, living like a lord in the officers mess, causing mayhem on the airfield after dark, mentioning it to the odd young lady and I believe there was some flying involved.
At a reunion a few years ago I spoke to a current member who had been in for 2 years and had 30mins flying time! As my old CFI said, 'back then we were teaching you to RAF flying training standards'. These days it is a much more rounded place I believe.