As a serving sneck, I must say that we still try to ensure we say appropriate farewells in our Mess be it on posting or retirement. It is one of the things (On a diminishing list sadly), that makes me feel a bit different to those employed in the civilian world. I take the point about cogs and wheels, but that was always the way wasn't it? No one person is more important than the organisation and one could argue that is the way it should be, but we should try to keep up our traditions alive where at all possible. As a former drafter (Career Manager in new money) I was deeply saddened by the removal of the "Blue Letter" when promotion came around. The abundance of information and ways to access same, allied to very little monetary benefit to promotion, has meant it is just not as special as it once was, but it could be with a little effort. The willingness to expend that effort is the key issue I feel. Just my tuppenceworth of course.