As a RAF person myself I’d say that response was uncalled for, IG. I think most of us recognise that the RAF and RN have a greater focus on equipment than does the Army. One look at the relative equipment and personnel budgets will tell you that. You are right to say that each person is highly valued but that is also related to the fact that the RAF and RN have a higher proportional demand for advanced technical skills which take time and money to imbue, and therefore have more of a need to retain people. I think the OP got a pretty good set of responses to a question some on here would see as provocative; it would be good to leave it at that for once.