I take your point. But the desk officers have never been career managers. They are posters, charged with filling gaps and looking after the interests of the Service and practicing the policy that is handed down to them. None of the Armed Forces have anything in place to manage anyone's career - never have, never will. That's down to the individual with support from his or her boss and the accommodation of the desk officers when they can - if they can and when consulted. Tough love, I know, but this is a military outfit, not a loving, caring ideal employer. Show me an outfit that is.
Sometimes we expect too much. We join to serve.