Errrmmmm, from my limited experience (10 years service as an officer in the RN) you have just described 100% of my friends, colleagues and superiors. Are you really suggesting that post a certain point people continue to serve for reasons other then the pension or promotion?
I was observing that there are
too many people like that, existing day to day and failing to bring anything new to the table, especially for their subordinates. I find those who are scrambling to get as far as they can before the music stops particularly odious, and have recently had the displeasure to experience the next three in my command chain all happily 'yessing' their way through their 2-year tours, to the detriment of several departments. A prime example of superficial short-termism grabbing headlines and promotion, with little regard for the long-term practicalities for those left behind.