Dhurst, to answer your question briefly, yes. the new course is less lecture focussed (but there will still be lectures!) and more practical in its training methods. As it doesn't start until 31 Jul we will have to see how well it achieves its aim; that said, we have already integrated some of these techniques into the current course. See also Per Ardua and WhiteOvies excellent posts on JEngO training and your responsibilities as an officer.
Blacksheep, Not all JEngOs will "play in the sandpit" but, given the recent news on extra military support in Afghanistan, you can make your own assumptions. As a non-Engineer I'm still trying to understand "Forward & Depth" and I'm booked in for my lecture on the LEAN process later this month!
Interestingly, one of the DTR contractors has suggested St Athan as its preferred location (and that is freely available public domain glossy brochure stuff) for the delivery of aeronautical engineering training if it wins the bid so who knows?!
I'd better not say any more on the subject to avoid thread creep.