I doubt a lady of 80+ actually "selects" anyone for an honour - unless it is the Victorian order
She has no real knowledge of SO's and their performance - they just suggest each other
No-one - military, politics or civil service should get any honour just because they've been in the right post for a couple of years
The classic example is the Lord Mayor of London of course - he/she shells out a small fortune on banquets, meetings, conferences etc etc and at the end of his year in office gets a Knighthood at least
Theyu should just take the money up front TBH