ethereal entity..Whilst I agree with your post wholeheartedly you need to be careful when comparing the average Squaddie to your average Policeman and lazy, loafing fireman.
Its not entirely true to state that
An average squaddie goes to war, fights for his country, and risks getting killed. FACT.
On Occasion they may do but at the last count there were close 175,000 servicemen serving Queen and Country but just under 6,000 in Afg and just over 7000 in the sand......leaving well over 150,000 not getting shot at.
Agreed, there are other Operations around the world where Jack,Percy and the Light Blue boys are placing themselves in harms way.
Whilst I am here, can anyone remember what percentage pay rise we received in 1979 when Mrs Thatcher took over. I remember my pay packet rocketed over night but in those far off days I was a baby Lt and didn't get paid that much anyway. Any one recall the actual figure?