A. b.
I don't mean to sound callous but people are being chopped every week
It is a harsh reality of military flying training that we all accepted as part of the deal - most won't make it and it has been so for generations. They'll get over it. We all did.
Yep, I've been made well aware of that as both a student ( even as one who was on review, lots of fun, that was
) and much later on as a BFTS QFI who saw chopped students reduced to tears ( never understood why they called me "chopper wiggy"
). Nevertheless it still seems extra tough on the current generation of trainees. Why? Well in addition to the risk of being chopped because they can't fly a circuit or they are unable to manage a 2 ship FRA at TaC weapons a significant number are now going to chopped not because of a lack of ability or a lack of effort but simply because the Treasury says so.
its the overall reduction in the Service(s) that should really concern us
You'll get no argument from me on that, the services must fast be dwindling below critical mass, but does the general population care??