Okay, don't really want to get into the mud slinging but there are a few points that are really bugging me.
First, the whole bit about the RFP and how it is their responsibility ... it seems most of this talk is about miners, and a lot about Omega 7. Just so everyone knows, the RFP cannot enter Omega 7, so it is NOT their responsiblity. But I do agree that they should handle most stuff in house space. So if we are talking about in house space, yes I think they Military should get a pass. But as most of this conversation has specifically targeted Omega 7, the RFP seems irrelevant.
And quite honesty, traders and miners are going to be pissed at the Military no matter what, you can't do anything. I get yelled at on my Military character ... my Kruger character ... my Hunter, all because I am not doing what I am supposed to be doing. Even though I still haven't figured out exactly where it is written I have to do anything, this is just something we all have to get used to.
I just read a rumor today that said that a lot of civilians think the Rheinland Military incompetent because of the loss in the 80 years war, and then on top of that they are getting blown up in Omega 7. So all this whining could be considered inRP, even though that is what it is ... whining. Like what Rod said, space is like the oceans, it's MASSIVE, the old saying goes needle in a haystack. But if you think civilaians are just going to say, "Oh ok Military, we understand", I think you are a bit naive. Civilians are always getting mad at authorities, I did not think it would be any different in Disco where we try our best to simulate everyday life.
I am not accusing anyone of anything, just from my experiences, the patrols in Omega 7 are few and far between. And I spend quite a bit of time in Omega 7. I am not complaining, I try to get more Kruger escorts, created a bounty board, I am just stating what I have seen myself. I understand it is the military's job to deal with Liberty, but it is also the Military's job to secure the borders, again in my opinion. Omega 7 is a border world, that is under constant attack by Hessians and Corsairs, both of which have access to very advanced ships. Rheinland citizens are under attack by Military grade equipment when we pilot, mostly, Civilian lines. Again, I see inRP why people would be upset with the Military because neither the RFP nor the corporations are equipped to handle these threats.
To sum it up, I don't think there is anything you can do to ease the complaints, more patrols would be nice, but of course I am biased. I am not asking or telling you to do anything with the RM. I think you could only sit in Omega 7 with the RM, pirates would still find a way, and you would still be getting complaints.
To address the comments about the military not getting taxes from corporations, that is just something that comes along with playing a game ... as long as players are financing their Military characters with outside funds, assumed from other traders/miners, I don't see that as beeing a valid argument in any sense. My opinion again.
And last point, kind of going on what Wolfspirit said, one thing the RM could look into is splitting different groups with different responsibilities. I have noticed the new RM-V squad, and of course have noticed them participating in the Liberty conflict, something like that could be created for the RM. A tactical squad based in Omega 7 ready to confront threats to miners, but also threats to Rheinland's border. This way you don't have to worry about taking a character from Liberty to Rheinland. I see a lot of Military in Hamburg, Bering, Texas, and of course New Berlin ... none of those besides New Berlin is a quick trip to Omega 7, I can understand why some Military would be reluctant to head on down to O7 for a few pirates. Maybe, the corporations could show their gratitude a bit more, I am not sure. Having characters strategically placed is not abuse of game mechanics, with a little RP makes perfect sense. After all this is a game of interactions with other people.
