You guys need to look at this from a few angles.
Veterancy is not what makes this mod persistant, your company progression is not directly tied to how much experience your dudes have, but it's development throughout the war.
Currently, we are missing the war, therefore the scope is artificially narrowed, but when you think of our mod, think of your company starting and finishing the war and how it looks from start to finish.
The objective is (or will be) to win the war.
If you are not dedicated to winning the war, then this pretty much describes it.
Playing a team game where the purpose (superficially) is to win.
Take an action that is sub-optimal for winning.
And you are surprised your teammates criticize you?