An off-the-wall suggestion that is something of a hobby horse of mine (how's that for a mixed metaphor!).
The RAF I joined was 150k-ish strong - and was run by a 4* CAS. The one I now (sort of) work for is heading South from the low-ish 30ks - and is run by .....guess what!
The RAF now has fewer people in uniform than the Met Police - who manage with a total of 10 ranks (and that's one more than other forces) from plod-on-the-beat to Commisioner.
So why do we need twice that number? And in a hierarchy, we seem to insist on each rank being represented..... how often does one see a sqn ldr working directly for a gp capt etc etc.
Comments??