It's not the same thing. It's like being taxed. It's not a choice unless one considers obtaining the next rank as optional.
Obtaining rank should be based on performing work, service or accomplishing goals like missions or quests. (Quests are not necessarily military, btw.)
If you are rewarded with GC seals for your efforts, they should not take those away in order for you to achieve the next rank. It was done logically in FFXI when they had Mercenary ranks. I would prefer them to do it that way rather than their proposed change.
Although death and taxes are unavoidable, that does not mean that they are necessarily the same thing either.
Taxation without representation is Tyranny.
It is not a complaint, it is a suggestion to improve their product.
