Al old chap,
I think it is you who is a bit confused as you chastise AIDU with
"Your first couple of lines are contradictory, and I'm sure there is more than a little pique and hurt rejection in your tone. Yes, of course there are always still folk joining up, but erm.. yup, they don't have experience!!"
Where as AIDU opens with
" I understand and agree that you cannot recruit experience" not sure where the confusion is there
As for your popular misconception that people are ACTUALLY missed, well sorry but after over 30 years watching folk come and go I think you are wrong. On a personal level I often think of the characters I have had the pleasure of working with but on a professional note I live in the NOW and work with what I have in front of me.
Now as you are a civilian do you REALLY believe that anyone ACTUALLY misses you......................be honest with yourself
...........or is it that that grates most with you