... nodding my head in agreement to the sentiments expressed (especially Chugalug's)
Each to their own LL, and whilst Chugalug's views maybe heartfelt and genuine, the reality of politics is that if any CAS falls on his sword, he'll be replaced with someone who will tow the line. After all, we're servants of HMG and not Trade Union Leaders, and the that's the bare-faced reality of it. Can you imagine the political capital of our detractors if the Service Chiefs went onto the TV and whinged on night after night about how bad it all is. Even the general public would get fed up with it.
And I suppose, come the crunch, we get on and do it and invariably succeed each time, which only serves to indicate to the politicians that they're are generally getting things right. Unfortunately, it might take a big operational failure to change things .... God forbid!