It's nice to be appreciated. Appreciation is what stops us hemorrhaging suitably qualified and experienced personnel for higher paid civvy jobs with a better work-life balance.
Son was a vehicle mech in the REME, running a vehicle workshop in recent years. When his time came up he didn't hesitate, but left without a backward glance. He is now doing a similar job running a workshop in the Port of Rotterdam and earning about 50% more than he was in the army. In addition he knows he is going home every night, wont be getting shot at in Afghanistan or having some young twerp doing his annual assessment and asking him why he wasn't playing more sport for the regiment!
He did get seven medals though!