Proper Brevet,
No offence taken. However, I would not consider getting someone airborne in a "frontish line" aircraft a waste of resources. That is exactly where the money should be going.
As regard to aircrew getting pay whilst on the ground, well that's another issue which would fill a thread of it's own. My own opinion? Well yes it is perverse but, if you withdraw it, you will hemorrhage even more valuable people.
As for cross-dressing within branches, if you are against it, you will probably lose the argument against Darth Vader!