In the old days we felt the public didn't understand or appreciate us. It had always been thus, but at least the Services we were in did, were on our side and looked after our best interests. Loyalty, respect and trust went both ways.
But then the Services were taken over by the civilian accountants. We were no longer understood, trusted, valued and looked after by those we work for. We were still expected to put up with all the traditional b*ggering about, the inconvenience and instability for our families, but conditions of service and quality of life were steadily eroded to save pennies and the petty rules and regulations applied with no deference to common sence. And when we have to do our job and fight, the media hover over us like vultures, applying fluffy civilian standards to military action, so God help us if we take the gloves off. And our masters haven't the honesty and the moral courage to take our side any more.
That's what has changed. Thank God I'm retired.