In reply to:

Strictly as a personal aside, I HATE this uniquely USn way of referring to what is known here as "the 24-hr clock". To one who adores the logic and simplicity of this time display system, but abhors all things military, it is a perjorative description.

As an uber-aside, I abhor this misspelling of pejorative.
the google-ometer shows:
pejorative <> 72,700
perjorative <> 3810

http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutspelling/perjorative