Exemption from Groundschool
Sorry have to disagree with you anotherthing.
Having recently left the college - i can assure that that Mil controllers are not exempt from the groundschool.
Although the time to enter the college has drastically reduced there is the question of currency. If you swap and blue suit for civvies within (i think it is 6 months) then you may be exempt groundschool. If its over this time then you'll def be doing the exams.
The hardest part of the switch from Mil to Civ controlling is the use of strips. Something about trying to teach old dogs etc (and i ain't that old neither!!)
As for your final point, didn't they try to do this at LACC but differing success??