Andy,
I obviously worked harder than your 'coushie' Rivet Joint gig. I flew 16 hours of Flying time in an 18 hour day in a Gulfstream. Pushing the rules, yes because that was the job to be done. Flew 14.1 hours with 2 pilots to Somalia because that was the job that had to be done. I've even had a 42 hour duty day from Pakistan to McGuire (not all flying). Alot more examples of pushing the rules 'to get the job done'. Yes, guys often exceed the 16, 24 hour duty periods. What planet are you living on?
If your so proud of those little holding patterns that you have done then go pet those 15 ribbons you have, at most.

I don't care if you retired as a General. Once you get past LTC, you don't know what the hell guys are doing to get the job done. So, go back to your Powerpoint briefing and stick to things you know.

Sorry to be negative but you have no idea what is happening in the real world.