I too have a similar story to CA - I bit the bullet whilst in my mid 30s and jumped from the AAC to an on-shore and now an off-shore rotary operation. As a former Pilot with 10+ years of service and a couple of thousand hours I saw the benefits to me as greatest if I left the army, both from less time spent away from home and the bank balance at the end of the month!
The FRI, as applied to the AAC was too far away as an incentive for me to stay, as was the pension, and the allowances just too insignificant. I now find myself from having been on a mid level Rank/Aircraft Commander pay scale to now being paid an equivalent to a Major on the top level flying pay in just a couple of years!!!... And that is set to improve again shortly.
Unlike some I took the leap rather than be tied to the military as I didn't want to find it increasingly difficult to gain a rewarding position latter on when age can go against one. It has paid off for me and I have have no regrets. It doesn't have to be all about the money... but it sure does help ;)

I left after 10 years service, and in my first year I was taking home atleast an extra 800 quid a month (after tax) flying in civvy street. Not to mention the HUGE improvement in the quality of my families' life...

Money alone would not have retained me, the poor quality of life was the BIGGEST factor.

Hunker down and get out when the recession picks up. My advice would be get yourself ready to join the airlines ASAP so you can ride the wave of recruitment and zoom up the seniority list....:ok:

Does anyone understand why the RN continued with the FRI whilst the RAF stopped it...? I never quite understood it....

Navy (?!)
 

To be absolutely honest Spheroid, I've never completely understood why the Navy persist with ships let alone FRI.

Let's face it...once it was discovered that man could soar high above the land and oceans at massive speeds unhindered by obstacles, surely the ship became instantly obsolete?

They do make fantastic targets for aircraft though!

:ok:

Standing by to take flack...:E

Where else would you hold the cocktail party? :}

At risk of dragging this thread up from the past and allowing more inter service banter, is there anyone out there who took the 100k career stream pilot FRI and then left within the 5 yr tie in period? As I understand it you have to pay the whole 100k back and then claim the tax paid from HM treasury? Is that a simple process or full of pitfalls?

Sapnish,

I think the original paperwork says you have to claim the money back, but I believe that you can only be asked to pay back that which you actually received. The MOD must then claim back the tax etc.

If you have a look at other FRIs with the details in the JSP, then you will see that this is the process applied to them.

GB2

Spanish

When you leave the service you will get a P45. On that document it will be adjusted to show that you paid back a lump sum payment. It is then up to you to liaise with Tax office to sort out tax rebate.