Jack,
I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong, but, in the UK, to gain any partial exemption from taking the whole CAA ATPL course, an ax - military pilot must have at least 2000 hours under their belt.
Even then they are required to take certain parts of the ATPL course and have no exemptions from the Crew Resourse Management section - which for some ex military people is very hard to take in
.
It's not the breeze that you think it may be, although their previous experience in flying jet or heavy turboprop aircraft, is a big factor in their favour.
At 24, you say you have 1000s of hours experience.
On what type of aircraft?
I think, therein, lies the difference.