The changes were actually a long time coming. The fact that they imposed it during covid and the travel restrictions separating families AND simultaneously closing bases, caused a mass-exodus that they, in their infinite wisdom, didn't foresee.
Then they ignored it, hoping it would be short lived, it wasn't. Then they saw they made a mistake, but were unable to acknowledge it, hiding it, denying it.
They couldn't have made a mistake, right? They went to manager school!
'Let's see if we can get some of them back', was the cry from the back of the room..
'Yes, let's entice them to come back, but.... let's impose a training loan to show them just how much we trust them AND..seniority goes back to zero so they and their family will never be able to staff travel again or get a proper roster..'
'great idea!' they exclaimed, 'they will be drawn to us like moth to a flame!'