Ah, that's the Ali Qado I remember. Direct, to the point and deliciously cynical. But, underneath it all, absolutely right as ever.
My years in the service constituted a very mixed bag, but with many more plusses than minuses. I was there for the flying, although managed to hang on for a long time after that was all over as long as the odd mate took me for rides now and then and I felt like my time in the mahogany bomber was doing some good for the guys and girls, the front line and whatever it was we were supposed to be doing at the time. I only left a few years early and that was only because of a very good redundancy offer and circumstances at the time. As it turned out, I certainly left at the right time. For me.
Would I join now? As things stand, no, my life has moved on. As it was when I joined; Hell, yes. If I were a youngster with a dream of flying today; yes, I really think I would.
It's a good thread, this one. Very interesting points being made.