h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You are also very close to describing the british Army.

The British Army, which I have elected to spell using a capital B on this occassion, is a training organisation.
Most recruits believe that the seven months of training hell for combat that they are cordially invited to endure, is what they will be doing for a living. Just how this is supposed to benefit them and their communities when they eventually leave the Force is questionable as there are only so many positions as 'Hitman' advertised.

Most of ones career in the British Military is spent (without any training) fixing the substandard vehicles which were supplied to us by the cheapest bidder. Another common pastime is sweeping leaves in practice for Autumn (or Fall) until that particular season arrives whereupon all that training pays off and one can strut ones prowess with a broom for real.

Soldiers also spend an inordinate amount of time painting things that are generally still sticky from the last coat of paint they had an hour ago and that should never have been painted in the first place - ie. grass. I kid you not. (Memories of preparing for a Royal Visit spring to mind!)

All of this is extremely useful when the Army kicks you out for hurting yourself in the course of 'duty' or preferring the intimate company of members of your own sex or generally just enjoying oneself in a manner not prescribed under Queens Regulations for the Army 1955.

It is for this reason we in UK have wonderful parks. The tractors all work, there are no leaves on the ground and the grass is whatever that particular seasons reccomended shade of green is. They are of course all tended by ex soldiers.

Mother nature is not recognised in the British Army as Joint Services Publication (JSP) 101 lists no such rank. This rank is assumed by the Regimental Families Officer. The irony is that most Families Officers have nothing to do with nature as nature could not create an animal which provokes such revulsion. Consequently Families Offiicers very rarely have families or indeed any one who would claim to be friends with them, are in the single worst position for performing the task which they are assigned.