Thanks iRaven, a good and well reasoned position argued - especially since it was typed on a smart phone.
I am, personally, more interested in the capability gap than the negative social and financial impact on a small-ish demographic of the military community. I am being completely objective here; on a personal level it concerns me greatly, I am involved. But it's always good to hear somebody arguing a different view.
And also, you have definitely earned the right to employ extreme banter now....... standing by for flippant pictures of coal mines with MRA4s circling overhead and a suitably sarcastic reply.
Cheers.