Party Animal,
I don't disagree. I'm sure the current CAS would be very sympathic to the case for MPA, and would argue it convincingly at he highest level. My point is that his experience makes him look at defence from an aviation perspective. Quite understandably the other service chiefs will see matters from a different point of view. I'm sure that RN commanders will appreciate the desirability of MPA as it falls within their specialisation, in the same way that the Head of the Army will appreciate battlefield air support. As you will know the devil is always in the detail and I think that it helps to have an aviation specialist at the top table. This thread is about AAC retention though and while my respect for my Army and RN operators is already on record, the quality of their commanders raises questions in my mind. I have had considerable experience of their decision making through JHC and can assure you that despite having rubbed against flying duties they often fail to grasp matters that lie even marginally outside their experience. With that in mind I can understand how the personnel management of their aircrew has also been found wanting.
Those in glass houses...... You will also find that I often take a dim view of my own commanders!!!