OK to put it another way how many "reasonably good" officers would be brilliant ones for the sake of say, just three years insight in to the working life of those he expects to lead in later life?
All too often I have seen some bloody nice chaps alienate themselves from the workforce they supposedly command and to whom they could have been so much closer, simply for failing to realise and accept that in today's forces being non-commisioned doesn't mean you left one of those "modern" comprehensive schools at 16 with CSEs in French and pottery, grew up in a tennament and have mutton instead of lamb on Sundays. And nor does it mean you have no ambition, loyalty or drive.
It is ironic that most of the above posts from the commissioned bretheren refer to money, self-gratification and the need or desire for recognition from others. Also they all refer to time spent un-commissioned as "wasted". In that case the non-commissioned crowd are stilll better off as they are getting paid (admittedly less than the Os) for wasting their time! Yippee!
And annuver fing...I know of some JOs who can't even define any rank structure or career plan other than their own, whilst others have to ask if a Junior Technician is senior to a Senior aircraftsman. OK so they might have dinner served to them by SACs but who looks the most ignorant?
