Mr Watson may be talking through his backside, but then that's what this administration does very well.
I left in 79, and was hunting employment for 16 months (okay I did moonlight to keep cash coming in), but I either was 'too old' (at 32!!), 'not the experience we were looking for' (too many/not enough quals - as I did study whilst I was serving), or never even received a reply, despite enclosing an sae (as advised by the Resettlement Officer, a retired three ringer - who also said I needed to take a training course for Storeman !!).
A chum of mine, was offered a post with a well known company, at less than the advertised salary "because you are receiving a service pension" - you can guess his reaction with no difficulty.
I'm cynical enough to think that the % would be 50/50 (and that's over guessing) - that you get employed or you don't.
You can act confident, and you could be seen as a threat, you study to get quals, and you could be considered over-qualified, act relaxed and you could be considered 'not enthusiastic enough', or not the right material.
I even applied for a post on P&O for Materials Manager andd was told that I did not have enough experience - probably meant I was not a member of the Seaman's Union more likely :lol:
This (mal)administration in power, with all its manipulating of the figures, forcing retirement age up, is probably going to make it less easier for both young and older ex-service personnel, despite how good you can or could be at the job, to get employment.
I'm not saying it's what will happen, but then I did get a job overseas, taxfree salary, accom, flights, food etc which I would not have done if I'd stayed in UK and obtained some job that I would have been 'suitably qualified' in their eyes.
Good hunting, and I wish you well, to all due to retire soon
As they say T G I F :!: