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[Ursus Maior]

I'd say the actual issue is that the all branches of the British military have fallen below critical mass, which is where the tank crisis came in as well.

In actuality, the Imperium probably has more qualified volunteers than it knows what to do with, because you can bet in lieu of the clergy, the aristocratic second and third sons (and now daughters) will be clamouring for positions in the military, bureaucracy and/or diplomatic arms.

In addition to the groups you mentioned, the Imperium seems to give little on deeply routing social and educational policies into its member worlds. This makes sense, it's less of a state and more a confederation. But this also means, army, navy and marines are good career options for people who do not want to be stuck with what their homeworld or even their parents have to offer. Moisture farming is not for everybody.

 

[Condottiere]

By that stage of technological development, combat units would be mostly filled by drones.

The reason it isn't, is because it wouldn't interest the players.

Traditionally, the British Army is basically an expeditionary force, so they could get away with light infantry, add support as needed, and pay other people to fight for them in someone else's backyard; modern warfare is now so complex, that you need a wide variety of specialists to support your troops, interrupt the enemies' command and control, and prevent them doing the same to yours.

And fundamentally, you're still going to need infantry to hold ground, aircraft to hold the high ground, and tanks to punch through the front, and stop the enemy from trying to do the same.

And the whole thing is interconnected.