To be very fair here, military pilots are not conscripted, they chose to do the job with eyes open to the conditions that they may face, the fact that war is a strong possibility and that they may have their life spent by the country. They also should be aware that they would never be rich and that they are not owed anything more than any other organisation on leaving. They no doubt chose to join with the idea of an exciting job, satisfactory pay and well above average status. As with airline flying the shine soon wears off for them.
They don't deserve an over riding respect in that they aren't made to do this job. Not like the men, women and children of previous wars like WW2. Sure when we are fighting a war that has gone on too long and has been engineered very badly then it makes the loss of our countrymen a disgraceful waste but doon't start the whole 'these people are such wonderful giving people that are being made to risk their lives for us all and for so little gain'. If you don't like it, don't join up. And don't receive the free, paid training.
I do offer my respect to these people. Why? Because they are some of the best aviators out there that have bothered to be selected and get up and do their job very well. They rarely back stab their organisation and they are without fail punctual, precise and respectful. They certainly aren't leeches. We need armed forces in the UK, as does every country. These people are the best, selected people for the job. But they aren't something special for going to wars - it isn't a conscript service.
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It would be nice to chain him to a lamp post on Wootton Bassett high street for six months!
That would be unfair on lamp posts
What is unfair is that a military pilot is contemplating having to pay for some line experience to fly a civilian airliner when there are little
s flying for certain pay to fly airlines that can barely string a sentence together.