I heard a little dit a few months back - can't remember where, may have been one of the numerous HQ propaganda rags doing the rounds - where a very high paid scrambled egg type recounted sitting in on a pre-mission brief at Bastion prior to a major op.
He too wondered how things would play out between the various services in theatre, but allegedly at the brief sat there quietly with his eyes closed trying to pick up the differences between the various services, all of whom were represented in one shape or form at the bird table. Apparently, he hadn't got a clue who was green, light blue or dark blue, aircrew or ground branch, but instead just heard a bunch of professionals doing their jobs to the best of their abilities with the singular aim of killing as many TB as possible whilst minimizing our own casualties.
If only we could show that same effectiveness and spirit of unity when dealing with the politicians and the Treasury instead of acting like children throwing a tantrum, we'd have them into a corner and whilst not necessarily beaten, almost certainly put in their place. Instead we do their job for them -by dividing and conquering ourselves. Inter-service rivalry and banter is great, it is what marks us and our individual services out and shows there is life in them yet despite the politicians and civil serpents. But do we have to constantly descend to bickering and sniping in public - lets leave the banter to the bar and get together and hammer the real enemy.