The infantery's job is moving about on foot, so except when on patrol, it's a good idea to give them a strong beat to keep 'em all together.
The RAF's job is operating aeroplanes, from maintenance to flying them, and administrating those who do. Marchin' about "three thick" is not a proper task for engineers or aircrew, much though Town Councils and such like to have the "boys in blue" doing just that through their streets.
Years ago, there was one tune to which all on parade knew the words - the "General Salute". A sprightly tune, to which recruits were taught the words to sing (mentally) and which ensured the whole parade got the required 16 (?) steps simultaneously. The words were "Stand by your beds, here comes the Air Vice Marshal, he's got bags of rings but he's only got one **** ..."
Some time in the '50s, suddenly it was replaced by something specially written NOT to be sung to - twiddling flutes symbolised Spitfires and booms on the Bass drum the efforts of the Bombardment Command (or some such symbolickery).
Plitickly Creckt attitudinising long antedates the term itself ... together with fear of "lower" (or other) ranks' "bawdry" on the part of the insecure looking for "pwomotion" from people who never ever sang a rugby song in their timid little lives ... Bah !!!
