You ask " Is it time for our Armed Services to develop a back bone and speak out for those they represent?"
I think you will find that they do and regularly - in the right places. They are not Trade Union Leaders who (legitimately) engage in open political debate. They take an oath that binds them to carry out the (legitimate) orders of our democratically elected representatives.
If there is an issue, it is that we have punched way above our weight for so many years that the "can do" attitude of the Armed Forces is too often abused by our politicians.
I most certainly do not disagree with what you are saying however when the task is one step too far then blind obedience is what gets those at the front line killed.
Those officers AT THE VERY HIGHEST LEVEL are those that have the responsibility of saying 'NO that cannot be done!'
We at the front end can only say, "Yes sir!" and then get on with the task.
Punching above our weight is not something I can comment on.