The youngsters coming through today are just different. Not better or worse, just different. The RAF is a stepping stone to another career, the messes are places to stay in the week. H&S permiates into everything and they come from a culture that discourages risk taking and looks to apportion blame when things go wrong. PCness means you have to watch what you say and where you say it. Everything is 'regulated' to the nth degree and people are overworked and stressed out.
Individualism is frowned upon, to some extent, because we all need to be 'Team Players'
Consequently, people keep their heads down, crack on with the job with one eye on the door marked 'Exit'.
There are still lots of good guys and gals around though but it certainly ain't what it used to be.