That principle, in civilian companies, is generally evaded by the incumbent being a specialist in a particular field, not having any other predetermined place to go for a good few years, if ever, and who is paid for his performance in that position, not for his title regardless of performance.
My observation earlier must have been misplaced when I said we had worked under the same people just different platforms, as there were quite a few that your observation did/does not apply to, some thankfully were moved, some are in the same post but different platform and has not changed their outlook, and I would still say that your comment below applies to some within the civilian world from my experience, that is all I am saying, neither which helps sort the mess the military have got themselves into, as I said earlier they don't accept it is broken and untill they do, nothing will change and fully agree with what you have written which supports my views and experience:
most RAF officers don't know how their 'system' works. Like their mechanics/technicians, they were taught it at school but it is beaten out of them as soon as the arrive in a real post where "we dont do it like that here" comes into play.