RumPunch: Nobody will argue your point when taken at face value, but the system could continue to 'cut' support staffs and replace them with civilian contractors. Vunerable trades such as Catering, Security, Admin, MTSS amongst others. Of course there are many valid arguments that make such widespread cuts undesirable, not least who is going to provide a stn guardforce in times of internal security threat, but a system focused only on cost cutting of a payroll and pension burden will turn a blind eye to a statistically unlikely drama in the future (& once the decision maker has moved on/retired).
For the fiqures quoted to be anywhere near achievable, several bases would need to close and those left behind presently doing the jobs of 3 people would need to take on the responsibility for more. Military ethos is a 'can-do-attitude' and we usually cope; I for one hope I do not witness what happens when the system really has gone too-far.