[Raistlin]

<puts on flame-proof pants>

I'm going to make the same comment here I made during the Firemen's strike.

When they joined up they knew a) what they were getting into, and b) what they were going to get paid for doing it.

When either Firemen or Soldiers to complain that their work is 'too dangerous' and that they need more money I have to ask myself what they 'thought' they were going to be doing.

<attempts damage mitigation>

But.....

Before anybody jumps down my thoat.

I've spent many years working closely with members of all three forces, and have the utmost respect for the amazing job that they do and the professional way that most of them do it. I would never begrudge them the money that they earn, and wish them the very best of luck in getting a better deal for themselves as they will deserve every penny that they can wring out of this tight-fisted government.

I can also appreciate the argument that what might have appeared to be an acceptable rate of pay has been seriously diminished in recent years by the massively increased cost of.....well, just about everything. They're not the only people that are suffering there though.

<tries to wrap up with a sensible suggestion, despite the fact that it'll never work in practice>

That said. the best thing that could happen would be for people not to sign up for the armed forces if they're really that bothered by the pay. Eventually the numbers will fall so low that the government will *have* to do something to bolster recruitment, and that 'something' might just be the raise in wages that they're looking for.

<runs away quickly>