Retention
I fear you're all correct (I said the same thing in a letter to manning when I refused PAS) but I think the reality is that no one will miss us once we've gone. The wheel will keep turning (no matter how wobbly) and those at the top will carry on blissfully unaware of the problem.
I'd love to see empirical figures to back up the feeling of a so called exodus though. I get the same impression but I wonder if its just that, as you get towards the twilight of your commission, so many of your 'generation' are leaving that it feels like an exodus. I must admit that the number of guys I know who intend to stay beyond 38 could be counted on one hand. By a teenage mutant ninja turtle (slightly obscure I know but I like to keep things light hearted whenever possible).
BV