Biggus,
Whilst not wishing to get into the pros and cons of private/publically funded education I do think that in todays society (a more self/family orientated society than 10 - 20 years ago) and economic conditions (low unemployment) it is difficult to recruit the numbers of people who show the 'traditional officer' outlook on life. By 'traditional officer' I mean the work hard, put team before self type of attitude not the 'wouldn't be seen dead in anything but a 3 piece lounge suit' attitude.
At the end of the day the self-reliance and selflessness that seem to be the watchwords for the ideal officer are not as prevelant as they once were. Maybe that is because we all expect better standards of living and 'hardship' (financial and physical/emotional) which some would argue generate those characteristrics, are much more easily avoided in a prosperous and 'socially inclusive' country such as this.