Vortex, it's not how hard it can be in the Light Blue Machine (broken it may be) it is how hard the bull**** rules imposed on you by some REMF makes it.
Once you've got the primary jobs done then you go onto the getting it as comfortable and bearable as possible. Having trivia like, e.g. your combats are too faded......is really not necessary. It all boils down to leadership, a good leader would set out the tasks and standards and say carry on, when finished report to me at the bar where I will have cold beer waiting. The SNCO's would ensure tasks done and standards maintained.....
But then the media wouldn't want to film that, far too professional and boring for them....