I haven't read every post, so apologies if this had been said before.
I'm also not sure if, with the increasingly different cultures of the two countries - (or "kulchur", as we say in the Antipodes) - the same applies to the RAF as did/does to the RAAF. However, harking back to my RAAF days, I think a first tour as a Sgt pilot after getting their wings would be a major learning experience, as well as giving young officers-to-be an invaluable insight into how "the System" works by having them mix closely with the people who have always really made the Air Force work.
I imagine it would also go a long way towards sorting the sheep from the goats.