ATC needs to professionally branch out into the real (read 'operational') military world.
Unfortunately, they are and, from a stick monkey customer's perspective, they are not yet ready for it. I've received good and bad service from both FC and ATC in the the UK and have mates in both branches. However, ATC are now getting involved more directly in ops because CAS, battlespace management and Joint fires is being done within sight of their towers in Iraq and Afghanistan. To say the peacetime ATC mindset is a major obstacle here is an understatement.
Witness GR4 SoFs being held off because 'I have an aircraft on 5 nm finals'. Witness Apaches about to launch on counter IDF patrols being told to shut down because there is IDF in progress.
In fairness, it's not the ATC guys fault because few of them have been trained in operational procedures such as killboxes and use of military IFF codes. However, on ops (or on a towline) I'm afraid I'd take an FC anyday.
Standing by for incoming.
