When it comes to CCS, I may sit there in the gas chamber muttering some of the choicer phrases of the Queen's English under my breath about the git that is clearly enjoying himself far too much for my liking.
But having worked very closely with the Regt on ops in both theatres, I can say that I would rather go to war with them than without them. They know their stuff and have patiently advised me on many occassions so that I can make an informed decision.
That said, I can see both sides of this thread. In the case of those slating the original question as being inappropriate, what are the odds that the very same question is asked of prospective candidates by the Board Members at OASC - why join the Regt when you can join the Army if you want to be an infanteer? From my relatively un-informed persective, would it not be better to think of them not as soldiers or infanteers, but a specialist cadre filling a vital niche role? Thinking in those terms, it would put them alongside other specialist units - Jt NBC Regt, TSW etc all of whom play a vital role which could arguably be carried out by less specialist inf / logs units, but you rarely if ever hear their existence questioned.
But to finish off, I would say consider the following points:
1. If the RAF Regt doesn't have a unique role that can't be carried out by others, why have we recently increased their establishment adding another FP Wg and Field Sqn?
2. As Gen Douhet presciently said "It is easier and more effective to destroy the enemy’s aerial power by destroying his nests and eggs on the ground than to hunt his flying birds in the air". Seems to sum up the situation we have been facing over the past few years and the reason we need the RAF Regt.
3. "Every airfield should be a stronghold of fighting air-groundmen, and not the abode of uniformed civilians in the prime of life protected by detachments of soldiers. It must be clearly understood by all ranks that they are expected to fight and die in the defence of their airfields." Seems that Winston thought there was a role for the professional defence of airfields; shame the current trend for contractorization of the military will probably leave us unable to defend our own airfields these days.
And now having sold my soul in defence of the RAF Regt, I'm going to lie down in a darkened room.