In many countries, like France where a personal friend of mine was hired as an AirBus FO with some 400TT they also hire military pilots with much more time.
So this isn't about where you learn to fly, skill is not a given for military, anymore than personality (a key in hiring pilots).
At ASA we have F-15 pilots (retired) F-16, F-18, etc....as well has military propdrivers, we have a lot of helocopter guys who needed fixed wing time, so it's not all about "experienc" 2000hrs of 121 experience at a regional airline is enough for anyone to take the right seat on a MD80.
As for bringing wages up at the regionals, this is a difficult process since the various mediations boards are always going to see them as "training grounds, and stepping stones to the majors." which to a degree they are. So with that said, the managements of the various airlines have the ability to grow these "regional" airlines and keep the overall level of wages down.
It's not as simple as just going on strike, the NMB would send you back to work with a 5% raise!
I say give us a good flow through(with no loopholes), and hire some from with in the regional and some from outside (50/50 ratio) and when hiring is slow, then hire them all at the regional.