I then started to notice that the younger officers - Major and below - around me had undergone a subtle change in that they were constantly looking over their collective shoulders to check that they were seen to be toeing the party line - reluctant to make any decision that would be seen as even mildly against the system, even if they should have been looking after the 'lads'. In one of my better 'Mystic Meg' moments I saw the future and pulled the plug.
That describes it far more eloquentley than my tale. I even saw a fight over who was going to do a brief between a departing officer posted and her replacement, because it was important they got "face Time" with the CO. It was a pity they didn't show as much passion or drive when it came to "people" decisions, where they were both apt to run for cover, umbrella in the approved position.
Mind you i was known to lose my teddies with them
