Jack
The thing with the Airforce is that, whilst basically, anyone can be taught to fly, not everyone can use the flying platforms tactically and make the correct tactical decisions in an instant without having to struggle with the art of flying. The rigorous selection processes and training regimes are geared toward weeding out the people that don’t posses the right stuff.
Military tactical flying isn’t the same as taking Kylie and Jason from Stanstead to Spain for their annual week in the sun. Being able to fly a 737 (or the like) from A to B doesn’t mean you have the right stuff – just that you have thrown enough time and money in the right direction.
It isn’t so much being an@l as being very cautious with the tax payers money.
The training is very expensive as are the platforms.
As for the Americans, their ‘part-time’ aviators are ex full-time USAF / USN / Marines/ Army Pilots…with very, very few exceptions. Although they are minted and paranoid about defence – even they aren’t stupid enough to put a 737 pilot with no military flying experience / training in charge of a Harrier.