Airpolice - all agreed. As a 20-year ex-aircrew, and also court-martial board member a few times, I believe you have summed up the case accurately. I think your two words are entirely apposite - fuc tup it is.
In complete contrast - and also as a bit of thread diversion - I was in the local tonight when a young man came in, smartly turned out in camo uniform. He was an LAC from that same big secret Oxfordshire RAF station, and he was bearing a set of bagpipes. An ill wind that nobody blows good, I thought. But he was collecting for the RAF Benevolent Fund, and he did a magnificent job, to much acclaim all round. He tells me he's collected more than a hundred grand for service charities doing this - and that he hopes to become a corporal next year. I was deeply impressed by his commitment, and I felt obliged to remark - trying hard not to sound condescending - that he was behaving in the very best traditions of the service.
Faith restored.
airsound