I joined up for the challenge, but also because at that point in time I was idealistic and enthusiastic *shakes head* and believed in my country.
The point you're missing is that the challenge IS the fighting for your country. You'll do training in the UK, and aside from the odd bit of low level, nothing earth shaking.
When you go on Ops and the noise complaints are conducted with AK47's, life does indeed become a bit more challenging. It's why I'm still happy to go abroad. Though I agree with the above, I'll take the tin for being there, getting anything else just means it's all gone wrong!