Every day the Armed forces are in the news. Every news bulletin be it on TV, radio or T'internet has a story about the Armed Forces. Some of the publicity is good, some is bad but at the moment Joe public knows that we have a Royal Navy, an Army and an Air Force and he knows where they are and what they are doing.
If we wiithdraw from combat operations then what do we do? what are we for? Sweeping defence cuts will follow as there is no requirement for any new kit. Joe public forgets that he has an Armed Force defending him.
Lest not forget.