LJ,
I for one fully agree with your argument. If this forum is for anything it's to give all of us, ex military, a chance to have an opinion. I can disagree with Beagle or Flight idle, it doesn't matter, both respect my right to an opinion. The OP seems to be suggesting that the serving personnel should divorce themselves from their own history. Well, that sounds a bit sad to me. I still have mates serving, we share a few beers, some banter and respect each others opinions. What's the need for stripping out the current from the ex ? We all have something to learn.
Smudge