I used to know a very senior chap who in his various 2 - 3 year slots before he took his K had a spell doing what laughingly passed as "career development" in the MoD.
I am sure that some of the folk that he moved around his chess board were very bright and capable. Some.
However, he did tell me at what rank those who were on the magic carpet got eased out. It is no secret that those who became Major whilst quite young, and then left, were eased out as they were not going to go any further. This happened in all the Services. But not to the Civil Servants!! Some became a bit bitter and twisted about it.
So I am always very suspicious of anyone who uses their rank post retirement. Do some of them understand how widely they are broadcasting their failure?