Molesworth Hold,
You are to a great extent correct with your assertions. Apart from a very few exceptions, I rate the majority of my colleagues as lazy and incompetent. When I was a newly promoted Sgt I was posted to an environment with 4 other SNCO OSMs (as we were then), I was apalled at the dreadful trade knowledge and the apathy to implement any form of discipline, but to be fair to some of them, the job is not challenging by any stretch of the imagination which does result in the shutting down of some primary systems. However I do grate at the propensity to generalisation by the officer corps that assumes we are all stupid, when clearly we are not.
In the defence to some SNCOs, it has to be pointed out that there are large numbers of officers who's leadership, personality and general ability are equally poor.
For my part, I hate the fact that I am regarded as some form of ATC failure when I am here by choice. My desire, as a fresh faced 18 year old, was to work in an aircraft operations environment. Remember, up until the the advent of Flt Ops the only entry into military aircraft operations was through the non commissioned AATC route. FYI I am more than academically qualified for commissioning but what was on the table for me at the time (20 Years ago) was singularly uninspiring, Admin, Supply, ATC, FC. I had no interest in controlling (ATC or FC) and as for the other two! But yet I am considered a biff by my ATC colleagues for being an FOM.
I have no doubt that a commission would be my next step, but Flt Ops is still not dynamic enough to make me want to concentrate for, and notwithstanding the enthusiasm of some of them, the job bears a remarkable resemblence to a commissioned chimpanzee, merely undertaking a miriad of silly little jobs that the aircrew would rather not do anymore. Furthermore I am yet to be convinced that a commission is indeed the right thing for me, for when I have engaged Commissioned officers in conversation and solicited for advice, the only inspiration they can offer is the better pay, living conditions, status within the service and enhanced pension. Nothing is mentioned of greater job satisfaction, welfare of subordinates, making a greater contribution to the organisation, etc. I could go on but I am sure you get the picture.
I still intend to apply for a commission, I am lucky, I work on a FJ Sqn and the pilots are real gents who care, and because of this I am reminded that all is not bad. After my current deployment I have a P2 brief to attend then after that the ball is in my court. However I am acutely aware that my current frame of mind suggests that I am not committed enough, not from apathy more from dissilusionment.