In 30 years in 2 Reserve forces units with vastly different missions (A-10 and C-5), I saw good and bad pilots, just like anywhere in civil aviation. BUT, because of the mission, we had guys that were airline pilots, but we’d never give them the “keys to the jet”. They may have been poor leaders at getting the mission done, their flying skills were just okay. When the mission success requires “getting the gas” off the tanker in the dark IMC or land in high threat Mogadishu, there were guys who commanders trusted. Those pilots were good anywhere in aviation.
GF