That was me. I used the term snivelling and stand by it. Professional soldiers, especially very highly qualified ones don’t need jump boots, berets, badges, and dangles to prove their worth. I find this attitude much less prevelent today than was true 10 or so years ago. Several years of combat experience tend to give young soldiers a different perspective and the sorts of things that we have been talking about become less important.
I agree. The most important thing, IMHO, is to do the job right. I absolutely hate ‘rules of engagement’ and much of the other stuff that is required.