An interesting debate the 'empowered master' one. Actually intent was for masters to step up to the plate and take on the duties and responsibilities of the commissioned guys...shame so many of them shy away from the real staff work when it comes to it.
Admittedly there was a fair percentage of duff commissioned guys, but let's not kid ourselves that all the MAcr Ldrs are shining stars by any stretch of the imagination. The ongoing debate is where are frontline units from both sides of the divide going to grow their execs from when the Nav trade dies and the pilot numbers get even lower? I would suggest the debate rages on and with the small numbers we'd be talking about there really is room for all. Depends whether the cadre (and the OCs) want to have a representative voice (that is heard) higher up the food chain.
And when the competition was run in recent years there wasn't exactly a shortage of applicants so the interest is still out there. Personal opinion of course.....