For the more patriotic % of young people in HK, joining the PLA isn't the best route of patriotism; most of the kids aren't of the physical type. Comparatively, does the  HKPD get the best young people for the jobs ?

Usually PLA veterans(like those of other countries) have certain privilege/priorities regarding certain gov employment, medical services, scholarship.. but seems that wouldn't work/apply in HK. You can compare to the big fuss made by the hindu grunt aspirants over the change of hindu army forces recruitment policy and service term length cut.