Since we seem to now be saying that the 'Senior Service' is whichever is best, rather than the oldest, how do we measure it?
If you take value for money, the RAF needs 124 personnel for each of its frontline aircraft, while the FAA does the same with 31 people. So, for the taxpayer, the RAF offers much less bang per buck.
In the two world wars and one world cup line of thinking, the RAF saved this country from invasion and servitude 60 years ago, with RN people involved in the BoB and The RN acting as back-up in case Fighter Command dropped the ball. With the Spanish armada and Trafalgar, the RN is at least 2-1 up in the 'Saving the nation from tyranny' stakes.
We're all rightfully proud of the Service we chose to join, but some foolishly chose to join the one with a uniform of badly cut denim.