I think you really hit the nail on the head there Pontius. I have just finished after 23 years. In the last couple of years you really have to look after number one, because the RAF certainly won't and I don't mean that in a bitter way either. It can be hard to accept that that is the attitude required, particularly as most of us will have been so professional in our careers, but it really is the only way to be.

S_H

S-H & Pontius,

I agree wholeheartedly, but I think it now goes deeper than that. I think that once the decision to leave is made, it dawns on you that ...

... has always been the case, but we've all been too busy to notice. When you decide to leave, it's like you can see 'the matrix' !!!