Watch keeping desk????? err having done both, which seems to be a requirement for you, I think you miss a huge amount. Both sides play important roles. Both have a purpose. Neither is better than the other, simply the skill set is different. Too hard to accept by some, but having done 10 years SF and 7 years SAR, believe me I do have an opinion, and yes I am ex service, come third man with me anytime in Perth and you will start to understand just how good in the Sar world we are in certain areas!
Rant off....