PN,
I don't think I stated my case clearly enough. But, yes, the net result is that the planners cannot keep up. However, the training pipeline could never be based on the assumption that the front line requirement will have shrunk by the time the current intake gets there. That sort of planning can only be based on fact and properly established planning assumptions. The day the intake is arbitrarily reduced, leading to a shortfall at the sharp end, heads would (and should) roll.
Courtney