'It's nice to be appreciated. Appreciation is what stops us hemorrhaging suitably qualified and experienced personnel for higher paid civvy jobs with a better work-life balance.
Neither arduous nor hazardous?... Are you aware how much time some guys are spending away from home and how often? Its now a case of OOA, come home for a few months then back OOA again. There's guys who have spent over 365 days on Shader alone.
There's guys on girls on Shader who are routinely doing 12 hour shifts, 6 days a week. Every week, for months.
The accommodation is so unfit for purpose it's officially classed as field conditions.
So it's inaccurate to say it's not arduous work and comparable to a post back home.'
...and this is the crux of the issue. Juniors are going to question why going on OOA/Ops when they can leave, get a 'job' - which the Services are very rapidly morphing into - and not have half the hassle.
I can think of MBEs and OBEs that have been handed out for less.'
And this is absolutely true. Visits officer in HQ SHAPE is my best nomination for non-honour-deserving-awarded-honour.