I am reading the Grim Reaper again and it put me in mind of another story with a bit of Army experience in it.
The M.C. is in the Army and is a Cpl or Sgt when his unit is sent to train with some Central or South American unit. At the end of the exercises the Americans have to go out on a sortie with them using the other army's aircraft. The planes are in very bad condition, but the brass orders them to do the mission, and they get lost and eventually crash land. I cannot remember who the enemy was but they had trouble getting home. (IIRC some U.S. brass caused the problem, delaying the pick-up and making it difficult to reach the R.V.). He then runs into problems upon his return, is accused off all sorts of wrong doing and is "jailed and beaten up". That gets sorted and the "jailer" gets charged and is sent to prison himself.
Later he enters politics and comes across the Officer who ordered the exercise. After an investigation the officer is put out to grass.
Definitely not the "Grim Reaper" but I am sure some one will know the one I want.