I'm going to try and summarize a bit, this coming from a guy with a mixed experience basket. I started flying (gliders) in 1976, and haven't stopped since.
Flying - It is intuitively obvious that there are different types of flying mission, and I see nothing wrong with presenting an opinion on them. Some have their origins in the military, some purely civilian pax and cargo, and others of a pseudo-military style, like the guys in old piston bombers who sling water on forest fires.
Civilian - You have the Duke's stories. Unbelievable stuff that would humble the cockiest fighter jock. And you also have scheduled air carrier flying. Unbelievably boring stuff, but with all too rare moments when it's all on the line, except you have no nylon letdown, and 100 to 350 people are depending upon you to save them.
Military - the mission runs the gamut from tame to "I'm gonna die." A dollar ride in a Tweet can encompass both of these!

But by far, the most demanding and extreme flying mission has been the world of large force air-air and air-mud fighters. This has also for me been the most satisfying and excting. Nothing else comes close.
Guys contemplating the .mil mission, or exiting .mil and pursuing other flying, have a legitimate interest on what the mission will be.
Let me move on to the
People, who are ultimately more important than the mission. On the first leg of a three-day, we usually find out what the other guy did in his prior life. And guess what? Nobody really gives a $h!t if I may use that word in this context. It's how well the dude flies NOW, not 10 years ago. Is the guy fun to fly with? Does he drink coffee and like BBQ? I'll buy a starbucks and a Dickeys. Does he fly R/C models, have a Harley? We find points of common interest and have a good time.
And pretty soon, no one remembers, or cares, what the other guy did 15 years ago.
Peace on Earth, my friends...