Biggus,
You are clearly a glass half-empty sort of chap from the tone and angle of your comment. That may or may not be true but I judge you based on what you wrote.
I value the contribution made by the British Serviceman/woman, based on their overwhelmingly good value for money. When the Fire Service strikes we bale them out, when the security of a country is at stake we can be called upon to help or sort the issue out using "more than political persuasion". Either way, I felt the language and angle of your statement to be entirely lacking in empathy to the real value of those who serve (quote: a real drain on the public purse), as right as you very well may be from a fiscal HMG perspective.
Do I agree with you? Yes! You are right! My "attack" (oh do calm down dear!) was nothing more than banter chap. Then again, you may or may not have served so might have missed that.