In my opinion the RAF is no different. We are so bound by bureaucracy and possible litigation that no-one is prepared to go out on a limb anymore and take risks. Risk taking is/should be endemic to military operations and we have strayed very far from on the spot decision making to get the job done versus on the spot decision making in line with AP/JSP/QR or worse, political correctness/equality and diversity/health and safety.
Our higher echelons are more concerned about their careers and how they are perceived as individuals by their poilitical masters than man managing a talented group of individuals and letting them get on with it. Unfortunately this mindset is, in my opinion, filtering down through the ranks ie ' well if the boss doesn't like it for these reasons and wouldn't sanction it then why should I ?'.
Not good.