I suspect that a significant percentage (if not the majority) of the SO2s and SO1s (and a fair smattering of Gp Capt equivalents) in MOD have recent operational experience and most, if not all, use this to good advantage in informing their work and preparing briefs for Directors and sSCs. For example, the Equipment Capability areas would be bereft if it were not for operational experience of its staffs, bearing in mind that the MOD is a strategic, not operational, HQ.